High TSH and T4 levels- TTC 2 years

[MallonMary]

Hi guys,

We have been TTC for 2 years, so far all my tests had been normal but OH's SA had morphology (0) and mobility issues. We are due to start IVF in Jan 2021 but had to get my bloods redone last week and results show my TSH is 4.24 which nurse said is 'marginally high' and t4 is 12.1.

Should we try to fix this before going down IVF route? Does anyone have any experience of this? I have googled and seen some people say TSH should be much lower when TTC.

Thanks for any advice you may have!

Hi @MallonMary I don't have much in the way of advice I'm afraid, but I've also found my TSH is a little higher than the 'ideal' for fertility. I found out about 3 weeks ago, and my TSH is 3.5. I wasn't told this by the GP, however I asked to see the results and upon researching found TSH should be between 1-2.5 for fertility and pregnancy.

I'm trying to improve some gut issues that I have in hope it will help bring my TSH down, although did find out that as a child my TSH was apparently on the high side, so may just be how I am. I'm also trying a selenium supplement as seems this can help with the conversion of T4 to T3...don't quote me on that as that may be the wrong way around!

Like you I found on Google that anything about 2.5 isn't good for TTC, so it is a worry. I would like to think the advice from your IVF clinic would be the best to follow? Have you asked them if they would advise your TSH should be lower before going ahead? x

Meant anything above 2.5, not anything about!

Should have said I haven't had my T4 levels tested, I'm going to wait a few months and then have a private test to see if there has been any improvement/to get a better over all picture of things x

@MallonMary yes - your IVF consultant will want it under 2.5. It should come down fairly quickly with levothyroxine

@TTCIVF do you know how big an issue TSH of 3.5 would be? I haven't even asked the question to my GP as to whether I could get medication lower it as according to the NHS this is in the 'normal' range x

Thanks guys. I haven't spoken to the ivf clinic yet but will be sure to feed back what they say.

Glad to hear it could come down quickly with medication.

Wish you the best of luck lowering yours too! My jan blood test showed my level was 2.5 then so not sure why it's increased so much in 9 months

@MintGreenLife 3.5 is ok generally but when TTC under 2.5. Mine was 2.8 and I was put on it due to having 3 chemical pregnancies - it can be a contributing factor to MCs as far as I understand. It can also impair ovulation. My IVF consultant put me on levothyroxine

*under 2.5 is best

@TTCIVF thanks for your reply. I think as I'm technically in the 'normal' range, it's unlikely my GP would be willing to prescribe anything, not sure who I would go to to ask for help. I do have issues with ovulation - I ovulate late in my cycle (earliest has been CD25) and I have a short luteal phase of 8/9 days x

@MallonMary that would be great if you wouldn't mind letting me know what the outcome is and whether they treat it. Ah that's interesting it was much lower not so long ago, I'm really hoping I find mine is a bit better when I test again x

@MintGreenLife mine is exactly the same as yours! 3.5 but GP is saying that it's fine as it's within the normal range. I haven't had T4 tested yet either. Is selenium supposed to help? Guess I will go back to munching on Brazil nuts!!

@acaciabluebell it's nice to find people with the same issues, although of course wouldn't wish this on anyone! Yep selenium is meant to help with converting T4 to T3, or the other way around, which ever way makes it better ha. How long have you been TTC? I haven't had T4 tested either, so guess that does need to be done to get a better picture of things, but then the research seems to be pretty black and white on TSH - higher than 2.5 and it's no good for fertility. Do you find you have any hypo-like symptoms?

@MintGreenLife how long have you been trying? You can ask for a referral to the infertility clinic if you are under 35 and have been trying for a year or 6 months if over 35. Unfortunately as I found out you have to be quite persistent with them!

@MintGreenLife I'm currently on cycle #5 so hasn't been too long yet. Yes definitely do experience some symtpoms, namely weight gain and difficulty with weight loss, and also hair loss(??). I went to my GP with these symptoms and had an extensive blood test, only to be told everything was fine. And just like you, I went online and found out TSH should be 0-2.5 to be good for fertility. But also I'm 25 so I would need to TTC a year before getting any referrals done.

@TTCIVF just 6 months and am 32, so I guess I'll need to wait a little longer. I came off the pill 7 months ago too, and thought that might be why I ovulate late and have a short luteal phase, but the more I read about it the more this seems to be linked to higher TSH. Was hoping it would improve in time, but no improvements yet x

@acaciabluebell I'm cycle #6, so not far ahead of you. Have you had these symptoms for a while? I had excessive hair loss when I came off the pill, so just linked that to that, but even 7 months later I do feel like a lot more hair comes out when I brush my hair than it should. I feel as I'm only 5"1 and obviously have now discovered I have a sluggish thyroid I should have struggled with my weight, but this hasn't ever been an issue with me, although being so small I don't eat a lot when I think about it. I have always needed a lot of sleep though, at least 8-9 hours a night, and on weekends I can sleep 10-11 hours given the chance! Am always cold as well and find I generally feel quite low energy. You'd think even just having some symptoms which make you feel a bit rubbish would be an incentive to treat TSH to bring it down a little, but apparently not.

Like you, I'm 32, so wouldn't get any help for another 6 months. It's worrying isn't it. When i found out a few weeks ago i sort of put it to the back of my mind, but feel like it could be an issue now. Hoping what I'm doing re my diet and supplements will improve it x

Hi ladies . I just had a MC :( early one. I was 2.57 around 3 months ago and gp did say it should b below 2.5 if trying. If only she had adjusted my dosage. 3 months later i ended at 4 with a mc 😭

I'm so sorry @Iloveoreos that's heat breaking. Were you already on medication for your thyroid? It sounds like I should really get my TSH down then, starting to feel like 3.5 is actually pretty high even if it's meant to be in the realms of normal. Sending big hugs xx

Search thyroid on this board and you'll find lots of info. My TSH was 4 and contributed to CPs. As soon as levo stabilised it, with 3 months, I fell pregnant first try, at age 40 with AMH 1.1 pmol. And again at 41. It has a huge affect on fertility.

The thyroid board on Health Unlocked is a must too!

@Livingmagicallyagain thanks for your advice :) were you able to get treatment for your TSH at 4? Mine is 3.5 and I haven't even approached the GP about it as I was told my results were normal and expected I would be dismissed. Am already a member and have posted on the Thyroid board on Health Unlocked before :)

GP was great but I'm in ROI so maybe different in UK. A fertility specialist could prescribe levo.

@MintGreenLife perhaps it is worth approaching your GP about it and say that you understand 3.5 is ok for the rest of the time but you need to get it under 2.5 as you are TTC. I don't know what answer you will get, when I told my GP that the IVF consultant had put me on the medication he said he didn't know that under 2.5 was optimum but that he would trust the consultant as they are the experts

@TTCIVF thanks, I will try that. It's worth a try isn't it!

Just jumping on here in case there are any updates! My TSH is only 3.1 but it's been nearly a year of TTC so I'd be keen to lower it in case it's causing the delay in conception when everything else seems fine.

@MallonMary let us know what the IVF clinic says!