TTC and thyroid. TSH 5.4

[Blossom428]

Hi,

Currently TTC no.2 since August 2022.
I've recently had all blood tests done-
FSH came back normal, progesterone normal.
However my Thyroid in dec was borderline low they said.
And repeated yesterday.
Results now show TSH 5.4 and T4 13.1.
I've seen when trying for baby TSH level should be 2.5 or lower.
Has anyone else gone through this?
Did medication help? Will it really make difference to TTC, as I will try anything at this stage - if the GP will give me something

Hi OP. So I had the same as you recently and my TSH level was 8.9 and then on a repeat it was 5.7. We had been trying for a baby for over a year.

The GP said it was within a ‘normal’ range but after a lot of research and an amazing thread on here that I’ll try find for you, it transpires that the ‘normal’ range of TSH in the UK is based on a man and not a woman TTC. A woman TTC needs to be ideally under 2.5. I basically went to my GP armed with a tonne of academic papers and told her if she didn’t want to put me on thyroxine I would get it illegally on the internet and take it blind, without any blood tests to monitor me. She begrudgingly gave me a script for 25mg of thyroxine and within 6 weeks I was pregnant. I’m now about 6 weeks.

GP will never understand this, they go on their normal guidelines and don’t know enough about this. I would say book a private appointment with a fertility expert or endocrinologist and get a private script or a letter of advice for your GP.

Thanks for a quick response- congratulations!
That's really interesting to read.
I've literally been researching since this morning. And read about it needing to be 2.5 or under.
Yes if there is a different thread I would be interested to read that.
Like you say GPs aren't all clued up on fertility so it can be really tricky.
I will push for medication. As it is higher than it should be and I've been trying for so long now too.

It’s a chunky read but definitely worth it!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/conception/4250334-TTC-and-subclinical-hypothyroidism?page=1

My TSH was 9.1 after blood tests for recurrent miscarriage, T4 was 13 I think. I’ve been put on 50mcg of Levothyroxine and having a blood test in 6 weeks to monitor levels

Thanks @Jellybelly888

Sorry to hear about recurrent miscarriages @LW678 .
Yeah mines not massively over but still more than it should be.
I've obviously been pregnant before and had my LO that took 7months. But this has been since August 2022, and literally not even had a faint positive or anything.
I test ovulation every month. And the blood tests for progesterone has come back normal (which I was worried about as short LP and spotting).
Will ring up GP for same day appt tomorrow as they have booked me in for 2 weeks time and I can't wait that long haha!

I spoke to one doctor and they were very unsure with what to do, I then spoke to another and they put me on the medication straight away, saying it won’t do me any harm! I think it completely depends on the doctor with what next step they take x

@LW678 yes totally agree with it depending on which doctor! Hopefully i do get a good one or I'll ask for second opinion

Absolutely!

@Jellybelly888 I went in prepared for battle and GO agreed with me straight away and has put me on 50mg medication.
So hopefully will start to feel better with my symptoms too.

After 6 months TTC I went to doctor (as I was over 40). All blood tests normal apart from TSH being just over 5. Started on levothyroxine, TSH reduced and then I conceived 6 months later. Pregnancy was straightforward and problem free. (Note that if you conceive you will then usually be told to increase your levothyroxine dose to keep TSH levels under control).

3 years of infertility and 3 failed rounds of IVF with a tsh of 4. Was finally put on levothyroxin and conceived naturally 3 months later. Then stopped taking it for a couple years as was told it was within normal range if not ttc. Went on it again and fell pregnant in 6 months with my second.

That's amazing to hear both of you fell pregnant quite soon after @pitterypattery00 @bluebird3
We've been TTC for a year and half now for no.2. So I hope this may make a difference.

@Blossom428 really glad you managed to get it! Well done! I hope it works for you, I have every faith. I’m now pregnant and my Gp refused to up my dose so we’ve just gone private and the dr did me a prescription for more thyroxine and also put me on fragmin injections and progesterone pressures until 20 weeks due to previous early losses x

@Jellybelly888 yeah I was really pleased!
Oh that's frustrating about your GP as I did read it needs to be monitored and higher dose when pregnant! Good for your going private. I hope you have a good pregnancy now moving forward!