Underactive thyroid diagnosis

[queenqueenqueen]

Hi been TTC for about a year after a miscarriage and finally had some tests done, had my blood tests results and I've got an underactive thyroid ☹️ anyone know anything about this as I'm quite concerned and worried

They said it's not too bad but still need medication (long term 😞)

Now I'm on it will it improve my chances of. TTC? Please any success stories??

feeling really low ☹️

PS I'm not overweight

Did they give you your actual number? "not too bad" is hard to gauge. The medication can help as quick as just a few weeks and most people show significant improvement in three months. It's highly treatable with great response.

What dose have they said you should be on? I go to an excellent thyroid clinic and they recommend I increase my dose by 25mcg immediately after getting a positive pregnancy test, then frequent tests, with a view to increasing again.

Ask to be referred to a specialist. I believe my MMC was because my thyroid was badly managed and because I didn't at any point have regular tests or increase my dose.

Plenty of people with under active thyroids go on to have healthy babies though

Once you are on sufficient medication you should feel significantly better.
I'd had my children before I was diagnosed so can't help you there but wish you good luck .

Hi @queenqueenqueen I’m in the same position as you and have been on Levo for a week now. After 3 early miscarriages.

It’s been a revelation tbh. There are a few of us, check us out on this thread here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/3695476-Optimal-thyroid-levels-when-TTC

The healthunlocked thyroid page is amazing for help and resources too.

What were your levels? Mine were 4.03 so within “normal” but so far from optimal and well above the recommended 2.5 to be able to conceive/maintain a pregnancy.

Hi all, thanks for your replies. Unfortunately I wasn't given any figures or numbers and I didn't think to ask ☹️

She just said "you are on the cusp of what we would give treatment for" I've been given medication for 6 weeks and have to have another blood test then to check the dose is right. She said she was 'very confident' what I had been given would improve the results. Beyond that she said id need a blood test every year.

Ps I don't think I really have any symptoms?? It was quite a surprise to me to be honest.

Gutted about the'medication' for life part 👎🏻☹️😞

It might not be medication for life but just while you are ttc/pregnant. You need the numbers and you need the results of the antibody test if it was done - antibodies can by themselves raise the risk of implantation failure, miscarriages and stillbirths so the thyroxine dose needs to be strong enough to treat that too

Gutted about the'medication' for life part

Why? All you have to do is take a pill every day, hardly a terrible fate. Imagine someone with a terminal illness being told all they had to do to make a full recovery is take a pill every day.

Check this out.

I have a low (but healthy) BMI, so don’t look like a typical hypothyroid candidate. But I just don’t feel right since returning to work after maternity leave. And with the CPs, it now all makes sense.

hypothyroidmom.com/300-hypothyroidism-symptoms-yes-really/

Forgot to add link!

Get what you're saying @dapplegrey but no one is going to be jumping for joy about having to be on medication for life!

@queenqueenqueen you can get a print out of your results from your GP.

I didn't love the idea of being on medication forever either but once you make your peace with that the rest is fairly straight forward. I have had two healthy babies. I wish you the best.

Thanks for your kind messages @thankgoodnessforeurope I can't open the link x

I am very pleased to say in my experience the thyroxine should def help with conception. 2 yrs after my first child I was trying to conceive though feeling horrific all the time, tired, achey etc... when finally they tested my TSH was 39! They told me an under active thyroid can actually stop you ovulating and sure enough after 3 months on thyroxine I got pregnant with my second daughter. I know other people with a borderline result like yours taking only maybe 25 or 50 dose and though it's important you take thyroxine while trying to conceive quite a few have been able to stop after. Some people's bodies are ok, like you say you are, with the result you prob have and others really need the thyroxine at a lower tsh So maybe you won't have to take it forever 🤞🏻 good luck xx

I have congenital hypothyroidism, 4 kids all healthy so once you’re on treatment and levels have been checked by dr you may not feel any better or worse as you say you’ve have no symptoms but they’ve perhaps caught it before then. I’ve actually been on meds for life, since was 6 weeks old. I don’t even notice now, tablets are tiny and it’s not a massive life adjustment if you make sure you remember to take them. I have no thyroid at all so need to make sure I do or I feel horrible.

@Katbecool I have to go for a thyroid function test in 6 ish weeks to see if my medication is the right dose... Do you think hold off TTC until after that? Read how all this can affect fertility and pregnancy 😓

Thanks @chrystabel 😘

I am no medical professional but my understanding is to conceive you should wait till TSH is under 2 somewhere between 1-2. Someone else may know better of course xx

I have an under active thyroid (I was on 125mg a day) and fell pregnant within 4 months of trying. I'm now 6 months. My medication needed increasing to 175mg as soon as I was pregnant as my levels went up to 4.5, back to 1.5 once the extra 50mg kicked in. I'm consultant led for the pregnancy but haven't had any problems so far.

The medication daily takes some getting used to, but it does give you a medical exemption certificate for life (free prescriptions) if you need a silver lining!

No idea what the actual levels are - never thought to ask! But will ask next time. I already have DC and they were conceived v v quickly. Hoping now I'm on these tablets things will settle down for me fertility wise
Still no idea how I've got this??

@katbecool

Anyone got any idea why I would start my period 10 days after starting these tablets? This is only 15 days after my last period?????

I had 3 early miscarriages before being diagnosed with under active thyroid. With medication I went on to have a normal pregnancy and a lovely baby boy.
In my experience my gp was supportive but not well informed. Do your research and be your own advocate - the guidance levels for pregnant women is different to normal. I made an appointment with my gp the day after I found out I was pregnant the 4th time.
I asked what my levels were and he just replied “oh the figures won’t mean anything to you”... so I said that I was aware that the current NICE recommended levels for a pregnant woman were x (can’t remember the number now!) but he soon changed his tune and upped my thyroxine dosage when he checked and realised I was right...
I’m still on thyroxine and didn’t like the idea of being on long term medication, but it’s fine. I’m less knackered now!