TTC 14 months, GP tests possible Hypothyroidism

[Acphillips15]

Hi everyone,

Me and my husband have been TTC for our first since last May and have had no luck.

I’ve been for bloods with my GP and they’ve told me I could have an under active thyroid. I have to go back in 4 weeks for another blood test and possibly need to be put on Levothyroxine. I had these results via text and can’t get through to speak to the GP but from google an under active thyroid untreated does make getting pregnant almost impossible.

My husband has since spoke to a different GP (at the same surgery) to book in for his testing and he asked his opinion on trying to conceive with hypothyroidism and he seemed to think it doesn’t affect it at all.

I’ve been waiting for a call back from the doctors for a week now so wanted to know if anyone has experienced the same/your opinion on this? My TSH level was at 6.35 and from what I understand it needs to be at 2-2.5 to conceive.

Thanks in advance!

Mine was 12.43 before it was discovered, got pregnant and was still around 9, baby is 11 weeks old now.

I ended up going private for tests when we was TTC our first and they noticed my thyroid levels. I can’t remember what it was but they said they wanted it nearer 2. I was put on Levothyroxin. By some miracle a month later we conceived naturally. Fast forward 3 years and we’re TTC #2 and it’s been 18 months. I approached my GP and explained what the fertility clinic found last time with my thyroid levels and he went away and spoken to colleagues. He came back and agreed that for fertility my levels were still not right and needed to be nearer 2 and prescribed me Levothyroxine. From reading other posts though I think I was fortunate to have quite an understanding GP. I did take them for a while however I scared myself by looking up the long term affects of Levothyroxin. Plus they weren’t really following up with checking my levels to check I was on the correct dosage etc. so it didn't feel right, if that makes sense. So I have no idea what my levels are now 😂x

Oh that’s so good to hear! I’m actually wondering if it’s worth me going for private tests as my GP has been awful so far, everything is done via text and I’d like a straight answer tbh x

@Acphillips15 I personally would. As that’s what they specialise in and without sounding judgmental in any way to our GP’s but they tend to only have a general knowledge. Where as going to a fertility clinic they’ll do all the follow up bloods etc. and ensure you’re on the correct dosage. As I think I started off on 50mg but it wasn’t touching it. So my GP upped it to 70
or 75 but they didn’t really want to book a follow up. So at that point I just stopped taking it as I didn’t want to be taking this drug without actually knowing what’s happening 😂 I just looked through my old messages and I was at 3.57 x

Why do they want to wait 4 weeks? You’re right, TSH needs to be below 2.5 for best chances of conception. Send them the NICE guidelines for hypothyroidism/ pregnancy and say you want to be put on medication ASAP. Can I ask how old you are?

I have no idea why they need to wait 4 weeks, I’m trying to speak to my GP but my surgery only has an online request system and I put in my request so I could ask questions etc a week ago and not heard anything back!

Is it something they like to test for a couple of times before putting you on medication? I’m 31 next week 🙂

Once on medication you are exempt from all prescription charges. Waiting 4 weeks can be a cost-cutting exercise.

The only reason to wait 4 weeks is if you think the results are likely to change, eg if you’ve started medication. So in your case, no reason. Can you go into the GP and ask for another call?

Hi - just wanted to jump in to say I’m in a very similar situation to you! Had private bloods done after TTC for some time & they showed raised TSH of 7.

Took the results to the GP and rather than putting me on medication straight away they’ve asked to wait another month before getting bloods done again. They said this was to make sure that it wasn’t just a one off - to show that it’s consistent and needs treating. My GP said if the next results are the same they’ll probably put me straight on medication.

@Puppyyikes They only accept online requests which I did a week ago and heard nothing. They actually wanted me to book in for 6 weeks time but I ignored that and booked in for 4 weeks via the link they text me! I’m unsure whether to go ahead with this or go privately to get it sorted quicker.

@Suth3rland Looks like we’re exactly in the same boat! When do you have your next bloods done? My GP said the same for medication, which I’d obviously like to get put on asap as TTC is wearing me down 😩

If you can afford it, I’d see someone privately. GPs just aren’t that knowledgeable or well-equipped with tests to support TTC. If you were 35 I’d say definitely go private- but at your age you can probably wait a bit, if you want to.

I would also get your TPO antibodies tested privately - lots of people with hypothyroidism have them, and some doctors will prescribe steroids for TTC on the basis of those alone. PM me if you want any more info. I also recommend the book It Starts with the Egg- specifically the bits about hypothyroidism and autoimmune disorders

Not sure yet but GP was confident within the next couple of weeks. Just a waiting game for now.

I totally agree about TTC getting me down. I’m feeling more positive now that we have a potential answer for why nothings happened yet. I saw a study that said (don’t quote me on exact numbers!) that 70% of women with both unexplained infertility & hypothyroidism conceived within a couple of months of going on medication. So if this is our only issue, it could be an easy fix!

Once I started on Levothyroxine (my TSH levels were 12 just before I was proscribed 50mg) my levels quickly decreased, my cycles became regular and I fell pregnant 6 months later. I am now on 75mg and my TSH levels remain around 2.

I struggled with TTC DD2 (12 cycles) and am now over 2 years into going for a third by I don't think that's anything to do with my thyroid now. Good luck!

@Suth3rland thats really good to know, fingers crossed that does the trick! 🤞 Have you considered going private at all?

I called my GP in the week and demanded an appointment so I’m going in on Wednesday to discuss my results and what happens going forward 👍