Weight loss for IVF 2021/2022

[WeightlossKin]

I need to lose three stone to qualify for IVF. I've got one to lose for my referral and two more after that for treatment.
Creating this for myself and for others who might want to buddy up!

@WeightlossKin Agreed, we’ll all get there in the end. I’m taking a scenic route! 😆

@MrsBiddy Welcome!! We’re all here for the encouragement and somewhere to vent, celebrate our weight loss when we lose! It’s a fab little group! I also have under active thyroid, it really doesn’t help, does it?

@Lakyta1717 Hey. I’m also struggling in this heat, so much do they I booked off today and yesterday because I just didn’t want to work in it!

Results are in. TSH is 2.78 (lowest it’s ever been). Still above 2.5 but it says 2 next to it, not 6 or 9!!!! Yay!! Prolactin is normal!!! 225. Down from 940!!!!!

The thyroid and prolactin are related!!!!! Finally an answer!!!

I've emailed CARE. Results are normal no further action according to GP so if they want my thyroid down further they’re going to have to medicate it, which they said they would, to be fair.

That's amazing @Lauralozzle! What fantastic results compared to where they were as well. I'm so happy for you! Hopefully the clinic will be happy with that and you can go ahead 🤞🤞 how exciting and long awaited! Hopefully good motivation to stay on plan with healthy eating etc. As you await your appointment.

I'm feeling a bit down this evening and having a really stressful week + the weather and it's only Tuesday. I need to really give my head a wobble and stick to my own plan this week as I've fudged it today! 🤦

@Lauralozzle those results are amazing and it's so good you've got an answer that they're related. Must be a relief to see how much they e improved, gives you incentive to stay on track for your appointment.

@WeightlossKin this weather is a killer and it doesn't help with mood at all does it? It's hard to stay focussed when you feel so yuck in the heat. It's been absolutely insane this week!

I'm in a slightly better head space but still not great. Am hoping now it's the summer hols (finished today) I might be able to get my head screwed on straight and keep going. I've been sensible with my diet and haven't gone off plan, but it's hard to stay motivated at the moment. My heads all over and I don't know what I'm thinking lately. Just trying to keep my head above water...

@Lakyta1717 it's good that you're at the end of the school year now and you can have some more headspace hopefully to focus, feel good and get on a track you're happy with. It's also okay if you need to give yourself regular breaks for your mental well being.

I feel a bit crumbly today and annoyed I'm finding it so hard. I know it IS hard. So it's normal to find it hard and that's okay. Knowing that doesn't make me feel any less mad at myself. I definitely have fluctuating mentality about this stuff.

@WeightlossKin thank you, even though I know it's okay to take a break, sometimes it's nice to hear other people say that it's okay to do that. I'm looking forward to looking after myself over the holidays, just taking a proper break and doing what I want rather than what I'm supposed to do.

Sorry to hear you've been feeling annoyed? It's hard not to isn't it? If only there was a simple switch to flick that just got your head in the game and made you entirely focussed on it. But you can do it, you've been so positive before now and you're doing brilliantly. Be kind to yourself.

Oh I'm excited to hear what you get up to! 🥰 It's lovely to let yourself do want you want rather than what you should and is hopefully empowering and helps your mental strength @Lakyta1717 ! We're so hard on ourselves and are our own worst critics as they say. Be kind to yourself should be our group motto.

It's unrealistic to expect ourselves to be always positive and always trying 100%. Being negative and feeling shit is part of the 'journey' (not convinced I'm on a journey? Surely you get somewhere with a journey, I seem to do a lot of spinning in circles!).

In positive news ... I'll be starting a new job middle of September! It's completely different to what I'm doing now so I'm really excited to have some focus in my life that doesn't revolve around what I eat and what I can't have right now.

@WeightlossKin that's really exciting news! Congratulations! I'm glad you're really excited about it. I also know what you mean about the "journey" - I think I'm stuck at a roundabout with no idea where to go most of the time on my journey 😂

Did some baking today and feel so relaxed! I've been perfecting my Welsh cake recipe, so keep trying out new changes and these taste good. Posting them to family and giving them to friends, so I won't eat them all myself. I've also got some new craft supplies to work on a few projects of the summer which I'm excited about. Most of it is Macrame but also going to do some more cross stitch too. I find it really relaxing, so want to do more of it now I've got time.

@WeightlossKin Exciting news about the job!!

@Lakyta1717 baking sounds great. I love baking, but I don’t do it enough.

Weigh in was a lb gain. If weigh in was today it would be half a lb loss. Typical.

Had a text message today about an endocrinologist appointment I didn’t know I have. Typical. Gave them a call, they forgot to send the letter! This will be about the pre levothyroxine high prolactin I reckon. Wonder how quick the appointment will be when I say doc put me on levothyroxine and now it’s gone down. Or maybe there will be more tests! Who knows!

@Lauralozzle that's so annoying that they didn't send the letter 🤦🏼‍♀️ they'll probably be interested to hear about the changes due to the medication you're on. Especially as it's meant your prolactin levels have gone down so well. I always found weighing myself like that frustrating, when official weigh in day was more than any other day. It's like your body is deliberately trying to wind you up! But it can be for so many reasons - water retention, salt intake, hormones etc that you never really know why. Just keep going, you're so close to ivf and it will all be worth it!

I've been taking it easy the week (always my first week of the summer holiday routine; chill for a week then I end up being productive for 2 weeks) and have been doing my arts and crafts, playing video games (which I haven't had time to do in so long) and taking myself for nice long walks too. Feel so much better rested already, it's crazy.

@Lakyta1717 To be honest, that sounds amazing! :)

So, I’m waiting on CARE consultant to review the blood work and then for someone to get back to me. It’s all very much how long is a piece of string at the moment.

Appointment on Tuesday will be interesting. Be good to know what they say now my results are well within the normal range. I don’t have antibodies so Hashimotos is unlikely but it’d be good to know if thyroid caused the prolactin issue or the prolactin caused the thyroid issue. They’re definitely related but I don’t know which way round it is, if thyroid issue is secondary or not.

I just want an IVF start date. Any summer hols are dependant on it and any weigh in!

@Lauralozzle how annoying that they didn't send you a letter! I hope the appointment is helpful and worth while. Great that you don't have hashimotos. The waiting for everything is the hardest bit and even harder I imagine for you as you've worked so hard to get here and it's finally almost here! That piece of string can't possibly be that long! 🤞🤞my weight being less the day after weigh in day is how my official weigh day moved from Friday to Saturday to Sunday to Monday etc until I ended up back at Sunday 😂 I'm so excited for you to get an IVF start date and everything.

@Lakyta1717that sounds amazing and very relaxing. I imagine much needed after a busy stressful year! Your Welsh cakes sound delicious, I bet they're the best. Do you use lard in them? Even in your two posts you seem so much more chill already, how crazy that you just needed some time off and what a difference it has made already!

I lost a couple of ounces this week 😂 fudge it all, I had really been hoping for 1 or 2lbs not ounces. I definitely stress eat. But being aware of that hasn't helped me the last couple of days! Anyway, good job I'm away on holiday next week.. holiday... where all the healthiest food decisions are made 🤦🤦

@Lauralozzle fingers crossed that piece of string isn't long and you'll get your appointment asap! 🤞🏻🤞🏻

@WeightlossKin yeah, I use half lard and half butter in them. I hate using lard, it freaks me out but they're not the same without it. I have to mix it wearing gloves cause of the squishy texture of it which my husband always laughs at me for.
You could use the holiday as a reset? Have a nice break, take it easy and enjoy yourself, then come back fresh start and back on track?

Hi Ladies,

Can i join? I need to lose 3 stone in 6 months or will be discharged from NHS fertility clinic. I am week 2 and calorie counting (1500 per day)

Little back story from me

Im 34, Been TTC for 14 cycles, all results for me and DH so far are normal. I have regukar cycles etc. NHS wouldnt do a hycosy as my BMI is 38 so i am going private next cycle. Did anyone have this trouble?

Was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism in January and been on levothyroxine for 6 months.

Been a really tough 12 months. X

Goodluck for your appointment today @Lauralozzle! I hope it's useful?

@Lakyta1717 I couldn't believe they had lard in them when I last made then 😂 half and half sounds a good idea. Bless you not liking the texture, it's a weird one isn't it! How are you getting on this week so far? How was the weekend?

@NatW2021 welcome! That sounds really harsh that you'll be discharged! Surely if that happens you just get re-referred? How long was the wait for that last time? My NHS said I don't need a hycosy or anything. I did need to get to BMI 35 before they'd even refer me to the fertility consultant in the first place and now I've got to get below 30 for IVF.
You've got a plan and a good sensible approach, that should get you far. Hopefully the tablets have helped your thyroid too. Have you notice if they've made weight loss any easier?

We have been TTC for three years now. What a waste of time and how depressing to still not be at the right BMI 🙁 I stayed the same this week, after what felt like white a strict on plan week. I'm away this week so will skip my next weigh day and give myself a week to get back on plan!

@NatW2021 welcome! I'm at 5 years TTC - make factor, we know we need ivf but our GP won't even refer us until my BMI is below 30. I was also on medication for 3 years that they didn't realise was impacting my weight, so came off that last year and am now finally losing weight. Lost 2.5stone and stuck there ever since - still have about 4 stone to go to get me where I need to. I haven't had to have a hycosy but found GP was reluctant to refer me for anything while my BMI was higher. It's so frustrating. This whole process is so hard when you're going through it.

That's so harsh that they'll discharge you, but it can also help to incentivise you I guess? How are you getting on with 1500 calories a day? We're a supportive bunch here, so hopefully having a safe place will help you when you need it 😊

@WeightlossKin it's not a waste of time, I know this week wasn't the result you'd hoped for, but you can and will get there! I hope you have a great break, enjoy yourself and no putting pressure on yourself!

@Lauralozzle hope you're appointment today is useful! 🤞🏻

I've had a good week - crafting has continued. Now obsessed with macrame so everyone will be getting them as gifts or my house will look like a haberdashery 😂 I've also bleached and dyed my hair - half is white blonde and half is bright pink and I feel like myself again. I'm also going to see family for 3 weeks and can't wait! Plus, my Bampi is home from hospital at last and I can spend time with him while I'm home with everyone. It seems like all of that is falling into place; so if I could get my exercise sorted and keep losing weight, that would make this summer awesome! I'm in such a better head space, so I'm actually excited to focus on my diet/exercise more if that makes sense? It's weird, I haven't felt like this in months now, but I'm so glad I'm doing better. My husband is relieved, so clearly he'd been a bit worried but hadn't said anything bless him. I'm glad he's not as worried about me anymore 😊

@Lakyta1717 @WeightlossKin - thank you for the warm welcome. I was referred at xmas and then had my first appointment in April which was just an assessment weight/medical questions,l/AMH/Scan i then waited a further 3 months for my follow up last week which was basically to say everything looked normal and they recommend ivf but my bmi needs to come down to 30 so they will see me again in 6 months and if its not at 30 i will be discharged and have to go through the whole process again.

I am really keen to have the hycosy as once that's done i know i have had all the tests needed and can look other options such as letrozole before IVF.

My weight has been stable for awhile now i Dont over eat just treats at the weekend so really frustrating, this weekend was hard i did have a take away but didnt have my usual wine/chocolates etc, my husband had a mcdonalds last night and i had salmon and vegetables so i am in the zone haha just need to start exercising.

@WeightlossKin Hope you have a lovely break, i got back from holiday last week and it was nice to switch iff but i find i eat better when abroad. Not noticed a massive difference since starting levothyroxine but they have been trying to get me on the correct dose and it was upped again last week so fingers crossed!

@Lakyta1717 - so annoying that your GP wont even refer you! Have you had any initial tests through gp?

Update from me: receive a text at 11:15 - telephone appointment today has been cancelled. Typical.

I had a gain this week. Meh. Pretty much how I’ve felt. Not heard back from CARE since I sent blood work last week. I’ve just emailed them to say appointment at hospital is no longer happening. Also, a little request for an update on next steps!

I’ve been I’ll since Sunday. Sore throat, cough, joint pain, general weakness/aches , chills/heat flushes, headache, and feeling bleh 🤢 x3 Covid tests say it’s not Covid. It’s something though. Currently off work feeling sorry for myself.

@NatW2021 Hi!

I’ll catch up properly when I feel less 🤮 hope everyone is ok 👍

@NatW2021 that makes sense about the hycosy, if you can do something before IVF then I totally understand you wanting to give it a try. Have you found anywhere private that will do it?
I've had all the initial tests (all good my side) but husband was told from SA that our chance of getting pregnant without IVF is slim to none. So we know IVF is our only option, but I've not been referred to our local fertility clinic for further tests yet because of my BMI. One of our GP's is a consultant at our clinic, so that's why they've made the decision not to refer us yet. But it's infuriating being told to lose weight and yet being given no support whatsoever. It was only because I pushed about my medicine that they even took me off it and it's a known weight gain tablet 🙄 our GPs aren't exactly great, so often feel we're left to fend for ourselves and just go back when we get to target weight. Which I will eventually!

@Lauralozzle that's so infuriating about your appointment! Sorry to hear you're not feeling well, make sure you rest up and take care of yourself.

@Lauralozzle - sorry to hear your appointment was cancelled. Are you looking at going private? I am considering this option depending on the outcome of my hycosy.

@Lakyta1717 - yes i have found a clinic i just had to get my gp to do a letter of support and send my amh result and ill find out the results there and then. I am nervous about the results but i need it for peace of mind as everything looks normal i cant help but think there is a problem with my fallopian tubes.

@WeightlossKin Well done on your last loss. A loss is a loss, those oz. add up! Hope you’ve had/are having a fabulous holiday.

You’re not alone with stress eating. Maybe we need a stress eaters anonymous!

@NatW2021 Good luck with your weight loss. That’s a good calorie target.

I’ve had a HSG, which didn’t show anything, good and bad I suppose. Dreaded infertility diagnosis. Hycosy is very similar I believe.

I have regular cycles, ovulating according to blood work but my AMH is lower range for my age, still considered normal but lower end of normal. Scans have shown my right ovary is small with one very small follicule last time. Left is all normal so I gave a dud ovary. I’m not convinced I’m ovulating every month and when they tested reckon it was from left side so looked normal…

Im also subclinical hypothyroid and I’ve been on Levothyroxine for last two months- levels are getting better. Also have a prolactin issue (although levels are down now) which I’ve been referred to endocrinologist for.

TTC for 3 years now.

We’re NHS so not private (yet). We only get one cycle on NHS so using this up first.

@Lakyta1717 I’m glad you’re feeling more yourself and your bampi is back and you get to spend some together.

Thank you for the well wishes. Cough is horrible, but, I’ve progressed from lying on the sofa all day in a blanket to sitting on the sofa all day! Went for a walk down my road to drop off some paperwork at doctors for medical exemption (for levothyroxine) and it was exhausting.

Received update from CARE. Consultant is happy for me to progress with treatment provided Endocrinologist gives go ahead. Argh! If I had that appointment today I’d be getting somewhere! Now waiting for a new appointment, hoping it’s not in 6 weeks time. Urgh.

Still, gives me time to get that BMI back down under 30!

I’ve been very healthy today. Even had homemade baked beans which are not like baked beans at all but still… tomatoey beans with no sugar. They tasted healthier!

I’ve jumped back on the Weight Watchers wagon… and calorie counting…

Wrote a long post and lost it 🤦

@Lakyta1717 it's so good to hear you're feeling so much more yourself. Your hair sounds amazing! How has the last week been? Going to see your family for three weeks sounds lovely 🥰 it's sad that it shows your job was having such an negative affect on you though. Happiness at work has a lot going for it doesn't it?

@NatW2021 it sounds like you're doing really well being in the right headspace! Well done choosing healthy options even when your husband doesn't. I find that really hard, that mine can eat whatever he wants. You'll definitely get there. It's so crazy to me that all these places have different rules and different timelines. I was told there's no timeline on me losing the weight as I'd worried it would be back to the beginning at six months but surely that's a waste of everyone's time as the outcome would be the same if we had to be re-referred?

@Lauralozzle sorry your appointment got cancelled how bloody frustrating. It pisses me off they can't give you a new appointment at the same time as cancelling the other one?! How is WW going for you? I found it really difficult when I tried it. I couldn't bring myself to weigh my peas 😬

I've had a massive week away with bread, sandwiches and treats and more bread. I've walked absolutely loads but there's no way I've evened it out. Won't weight myself until a week today to give myself chance to lose any of the water retention weight. I'm going to be doing 5:2 and low carb. Starting tomorrow!

@WeightlossKin Hopefully I’ll get a letter through soon. Otherwise I’m ringing them because it’s be nice to know when the appointment is for work.

This does give me time to get my arse in gear though. BMI is still over 30 and it needs to be below that for when they weigh me again. It’s just so hard!!

weigh in this morning, 0.2lb loss. So a maintain. But I didn’t track anything cause I felt poorly and now my period has started. So, I’m taking that.

I do like WW it’s just I have no motivation to stick to it. Which is madness! My motivation is IVF - I really need to get a grip with my emotional/boredom eating.

Little update from me:

Endo appointment is now 30th August. An extra months wait. Great.

At this rate, I’ll be having egg collection in November!

That sucks @Lauralozzleand I'm sorry it isn't sooner 🙁 hopefully just in time to be wonderfully pregnant at Christmas! 🤞 It does make a very sensible time scales to get those last couple of pounds off without too much stress? I'm trying to take the mind that everything happens for a reason but I know that's not helpful sometimes!

@WeightlossKin You’re right, these things happen for a reason and I have at least a month to really tackle my weight. I need to remember why I’m losing weight when other half has snacks in the evening.

Think I’m just going to stop buying myself chocolate snacks to live in the drawer at home. Only buy like one small chocolate bar at a shop when I fancy it. Less likely to be temped then. Don’t really have an issue with crisps or anything.

Extra time makes holiday this summer very unlikely- maybe we’ll do something in the Autumn. I don’t want to go away worried about what I eat and food, I want my weigh in done by then!! But, going away in Autumn will be just as nice.