41 and not getting pregnant

[Whippet79]

Hi! Just after a bit of advice please! I didn’t meet my fiancé until I was 37 and due to my age we decided to start our family soonish and so by 38 we had our DD after only 3 months of TTC.

I’m now 41 and TTC again but this time nothing is happening and we’ve been trying for 7 months. We were very active last month and my AF was 4 days late and with pregnancy symptoms I was convinced this was the month but it wasn’t to be. I feel absolutely crushed and not sure what to do. Doctor says I should get fertility treatment now and I wonder if we should at least get ourselves checked over (privately obvs not NHS). I’ve been taking Co-enzyme Q10 for about a month now and also started taking Agnus Castus as of yesterday. Part of me just thinks I’m too old now, any helpful advice would be much appreciated!

Have you read second edition of It Starts with the Egg? I found it useful! Also ensure your TSH is under 2.5. I had DC2 first try at 38. DC3 took longer as my TSH had kept up in previous pregnancy. Once it was sorted I concieved DC3 first try again.

Is that my thyroid level? I had bloods taken by the GP and they said nothing about my thyroid but I was low in testosterone. Advice was to work out loads and use weights. I then spoke to another doc as to how to improve testosterone and she happened to be a fertility specialist and she said exercise was hindering my chances of pregnancy and instead to consider fertility treatment now

Always always always ask for your blood results. We tried for 5 months with a TSH (thyroid) of 4.5 not realising that it was futile as I couldn't concieve until it was well under 2.5. 4.5 is within lab norm ranges so doesn't show up as an issue. Just a text saying "blood results normal". Thank goodness I asked for them to be emailed to me!

Sounds like you've been given conflicting advice. Have you had your AMH tested? Mine was actually only 1.1, ridiculously low, but it was the thyroid which prevented pregnancy. First try once my TSH was stable at around 1 and I fell pregnant. Worth checking out.

Though many perfectly fertile couples take 7 plus months. Don't give up hope!

Also take high concentrations of evening primrose oil - but stop taking when you ovulate

Thank you for your comments, really helpful.

I too was going the suggest the book recommended above. Have you asked your GP about testing on the NHS? I know the criteria for NHS IVF would usually exclude you as you have a child, but possibly, the basic tests should be covered. Esp as you have not TTC 7mths this time.

I agree, AMH blood test to check your egg reserve is needed. Along with thyroid/diabetes. Have you ever had a hycosy or HSG to check the shape of your uterus? Fibroids are more common as we age. Has your partner had a semen analysis?

I take ubiquinol, which I believe the raw/more pure part of the co-enzyme. Mine is 200mg, nuyu brand from ebay and reasonably priced. I also started DH on lycopene supplements. Its found naturally in red fruit and veg, but I read it can improve sperm motility. Best of luck.

Hi there,

I know this is an old post but will wondered how you managed to reduce your TS Hi level? Mine is at 3.7. Thanks

You need prescription medication.

Thank you. Did you get this on the NHS or have to go private?

I am not in the UK anymore but levo is very common medication and so NHS should have no issue though their lab ranges for “normal” TSH are very wide. Insist on the medication if it’s above 3 and your have symptoms/are trying to conceive.

Try posting all of your blood results (ideally full thyroid panel, D, B, iron counts etc) on the thyroid forum of healthunlocked. You’ll get good advice there.

Thanks so much. I did mention it when I got the test results initially. But I got brushed off and told it was normal, so I'm going to ask to be tested again and really push for it. I've had two miscarriages too. I don't have any symptoms though.