Underactive Thyroid and TTC

[Geep]

Hi,

My partner and I have been TTC to concieve our second child for 16months now. In March, I went for blood tests and found out I have an underactive thyroid. My TSH level was 9.53 and i was advised this was high and was put on medication.

Ive been on medication since march and i am booked into have my blood retested next week.

In the mean time, we have had a consultation with a private fertility clinic who have said they would want TSH levels down to 2.5 ideally before starting any treatment. So things are on hold until we get results of the next weeks bloods. However the dr mentioned that he has seen some people naturally concieve once their TSH levels had reduced - just wondering has this happened for anyone?

Also, if anyone else has been in the same situation, how long did it take for levels to reduce. Im sure everyone is different, but just an idea would be good?

Thanks

Hi @Geep, I've just come across your post and I hope you don't mind me reaching out and asking how it went for you with your medication?
I'm in a very similar position - we have been trying to conceive for 18 months, 3 months ago I started on thyroxine for underactive thyroid (levels were approx 6 to begin with), at last check they were down to 3 and I have another blood test next week. We're also considering private fertility clinics, but are going to give ourselves 2-3 more months to see if lower TSH does help us.
How did you get on in the end?

Hi @Geep, I was in that situation and it took 20 weeks for my levels to come down to under 2.5. I started at 5.05, and ended up at 1.65 and then had treatment.

It took that long because medication can only be changed 25mg each time, and then you have to wait 6 weeks for a blood test.. and then you repeat it all again until it's ok. It is a very frustrating wait.

Sorry I should have said "Hi @Halftime23", my reply was meant for you!

@Goldilocks2528 thank you, that's really helpful to know. Are your levels controlled now? How are you getting on with the ttc process (don't feel you have to share if you're not comfortable).

@Halftime23, I am now at 1.65, but I still have the vast majority of the symptoms I had before I started the medication. I am going to see a private endocrinologist once IVF is over as they do different and more conclusive blood tests.
My OTD is this Friday. Feeling very anxious, have convinced myself today that it hasn't worked. I don't know, I'll have to see on Friday.
Best of luck getting it under control. It's a pain but once it's down to an acceptable level you'll be full steam ahead.

@Goldilocks2528 I have absolutely everything crossed that it's good news on Friday for you, and I hope seeing the endo will help in the longer term too. Will be thinking of you on Friday.

Thank you @Halftime23

Hi ladies, I started medication for under active thyroid about 3weeks ago. My thyroid is 6.58. I came off the pill 3yrs ago and it took my periods over a yr to return. I’m now on my third cycle of clomid so hoping our chances are better this cycle now that I’m taking thyroxine. Do you both feel better on the medication?

@Suki2020 I hope the medication works for you, will keep fingers crossed for you.
Tbh I was asymptomatic, I only found out about being under active because of my bloods, so hard to tell if I’m feeling better but the numbers are coming down so that’s positive. I hope you feel a positive difference.

Hi everyone. Hope it's ok to jump on this thread.

Has anyone got any updates or new information regarding the effects of thyroxine? I've been taking it for a couple of months and my levels are now good but not sure how much of an impact it will actually have.

@Luna1108 nothing to report from me sorry. I’ve got a blood test this Thursday and will find out if my TSH has come down from 3.58. Assuming so as I’ve increased my dose since those bloods were taken. My OH has a SA next Monday - other than that, it’s a waiting game,

Are you ttc too?

@Halftime23 yes we’ve been TTC for over a year now. Although only on thyroxine for 2 months, so if it does have a significant effect then I guess the last couple of months have been the only viable ones.

Have you been TTC for long?

Hi @Luna1108 I’ve only been on thyroxine for about 3weeks so too early for me to know anything yet. I’m also on clomid and on my 3rd cycle. What was your thyroid on your last blood test? If you don’t mind me asking.

@Luna1108 just realised we are on another chat together haha

@Suki2020 my TSH was 4.55 and now it’s 1.46 (tested about 3 weeks ago). Not sure how often I’m supposed to be tested or if there comes a time when I can stop?

This is my first proper round of clomid so I’m really hoping we’ll be first time lucky!

@Luna1108 I got told I would be tested every month until it’s where it needs to be but not sure after that. Hospital send mine away for further analysis and I’ve been told I’ll be on it for life now. Fingers crossed first round works for you 🤞

Hi @Halftime23

Just saw your comments on this thread asking how things had gone for me.

So I started medication (50mg dose) in March last year and by October my dose had been increased to 75mg and my TSH level had dropped to 2.51.
The private clinic I'm with said that was OK to go ahead with our first ivf cycle which we did in nov/Dec which was unfortunately unsuccessful.
My medication dose was increased to 100mg in January 2021 and by late Feb my TSH had reduced to 0.63 and on my most recent bloods in March it had further reduced to 0.57.
In early Feb 2021 I got a +ve pregnancy test (natural conception) but unfortunately started bleeding the next day. I bled for a long time and was attending the EPU frequently as my hcg were static for a while. They have finally reduced and I got a negative test last week - 8 weeks after the bleeding starting. They think this loss and my previous loss (Dec 2019) have been ectopic as they can see something in both my tubes. So I've now been told to not get pregnant (like it's that easy) and have to wait until I get further tests done to check my tubes.
Like @Goldilocks2528 said, it's a frustrating wait as they only increase medication in 25mg and have to wait im between. For me it took about 10 months to get my TSH level down to 0.57 and my bloods were taken a regularly ( generally every 2 or 3 months). Also been told that my underactive thyroid is cause by an auto immune disease - they test for antibodies and if you have a high number then apparently this is the cause.
So unfortunately no success yet, but think my problems are not solely down to the underactive thyroid.
Hopefully your next bloods will show the reduction you need.

@Geep it sounds like a real rollercoaster for you. I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had such a hard time of it, I’m sure it feels like one thing after another. I hope you get your additional tests soon and that you can get back on track again.

Had blood tests on Thursday so waiting for results, OH has his SA tomorrow so thinking by the end of the month we will know more about where we stand. Like you say, it’s frustrating because months go by between each bit of new information which feels like a lifetime.