Thyroid antibodies and ivf

[Bl0rnky]

Hi, I've just had my first round of ivf and it failed. I didn't respond well to the stim drugs, only got two eggs, one fertilised. I got my period before test day while still taking cyclogest. I did a thyroid test a few weeks ago as the standard NHS tests don't test for T3. I have symptoms of an underactive thyroid/hormone imbalance but tests all come back normal. Below are my thyroid antibodies, theyre in normal range but according to the book it starts with the egg they're too high and will affect fertility. As anyone been in a simmilar situation? I worry that they're having an effect but our too low for doctors to care. I prepaid for two cycles but it just seems pointless if issues aren't addressed. Thanks

Hi! I have mild hypothyroidism and using L-thyroxine now. Your values look perfect. I changed doctors to make sure I have the best one. And all the consultants I met said that the most important one for pregnancy is TSH and it should ideally be between 1 and 2. You have 1.6 which is perfect 🙌 All other values are also perfect. Why do you think you have a hidden thyroid issue?

I have been on ICSI journey since Jan 2021. I have no hormonal issues except slightly higher TSH and I have very good follicle count fo my age (I was 34 years old when we started). After my 1st ICSI failed, I also started to read every book I could find about IVF/ICSI. After the 2nd round, I can say that the advices given in It Starts with an Egg is 80% useless... Except DHEA and Melatonin, we did everything she wrote and I am sure they weren't the things that made a difference in the end. I was very desperate and thought I can do something to improve our fertility. In the end what is important is to have a good clinic and a protocol which suits your needs. Maybe up your stims next time or change protocol. I would research different protocols and stims you can use next time and come up with questions for your next appointment with the consultant.

I did it extra tests in between and found out that I have a gene which might cause coagulation issues and make the implantation harder. I also got NK checked and had a slightly higher value. Have you got your Prolactin checked? It is also very important.

I know exactly how you feel... You desperately want to do something so you can improve your chances but I am afraid what you can do is very limited. All I can recommend you and your DH to do some self care, eat healthy and take some good supplements. I wish you all the best in the second round 🍀

I feel like a failure. If I just try this.. Or this. There's so much info put there that is conflicting and its just over whelming. Take this, cut out that.. I need to stop! I have had my prolactin checked and it was OK. The reasons I think I have a thyroid issue/hormone imbalance are, I'm tired a lot even though I eat right, exercise, sleep lots however this has got better since taking certain supplements. Cold hands and feet, often have to wear socks and ugg boots in the evening. My last two cycles before treatment my breasts were painful from the day of ovulation till period, this didn't happen while taking norethisterone. Ovulation pain. Depression and anxiety. Ive been to doctors about it abd they've agreed that it sounds like it it but the tests never show anything.

I have friends that had one cycle, fresh and frozen transfer, the frozen stuck till 8 weeks. Second cycle yielded five embryos. I think they've got two left, they're just not sticking. But the clinic don't seem to be doing anything. That worries me.
I'm with a different clinic but I'm not happy. All they did was an amh test and I had a scan. Then I got handed a treatment protocol (I didn't even know there were different ones). Got an appt with a Dr in a couple of weeks. Thus is the first time I'll be speaking to a Dr outside the operating room.

How is your treatment going now?

@bL0rnky
Did you check your insulin resistance, vitamin D and iron levels? They can also cause those issues you are experiencing. I think methyl folate can help a bit with feeling tired. We use Jarrow 400mg and I can totally recommend it.
Just to make sure you can maybe check the TSH one more time before you start the second round.

Anxiety is a b.tch unfortunately. Depression and stress are also inevitable in this process. Good thing is, there are studies showing that stress doesn't affect the outcomes of IVF. Once I read the study, I stopped stressing about being stressed! 😅

I live in Germany. I got my scans done by the consultant and I get to talk to her everytime. Also only doctors are allowed to do the EC and the ET here. As far as I understand in the UK nurses are doing the scans and you don't really see the consultant until EC. When you have the chance next month, you can maybe ask the consultant why do they choose long protocol vs short protocol (or visa versa). Have you heard of Flare Protocol? It seems like it works better for the people who didn't respond to conventional protocols. I would mention that also. I would ask the consultant which stims, which triggers are they gonna use next time. I feel like questioning their choices and not blindly diving into it makes them to do more for you.

I think everyone is kind of clueless in their first round. I became more conscious in my 2nd ICSI and the results were better. We got 14 eggs, 10 mature and 7 fertilized. We couldn't do the ET because I got OHSS. I did FET this month and I am currently in TWW. I don't feel anything so I am not feeling very optimistic about it. We have two more frozen blastocysts. My protocol included Pergoveris 200mg (stims) per day for 9 days, Orgalutran to prevent ovulation and Ovitrelle as a trigger. I used Prolutex x1 and Cyclogest x1 for luteal phase support. You can maybe start a separate thread titled smt like "Poor response to stims - Any protocol suggestions?" and ask others for their protocols and compare them. Basically make a list of the blood tests you wanted clinic to do and another list for different protocols and medicines. Make them to explain why A is better than B for you.

@Bl0rnky I'm sorry your 1st round failed, mine did too and now I'm getting ready for round 2.

@Cayandsimit thank you for all the advice. Good luck with your 2ww x

@Cayandsimit, I've had blood sugar tests in nov 21 and may 21, both normal. Vitamin D is 108 nmol/L in Jan22 so optimal (was optimal in may21 as well) I had my TSH done Jan 22 and May 21, both times less than 2. Had my liver, kidneys and hormones tested in may 21, all fine except for a slightly high FSH 13.3 U/L where the range for that time of the month is 2.5-10.2, but the report says normal no action. my ferritin was higher in jan22 than in may 21 but still within NHS ranges. I was taking progesterone at the time and read that can elevate it. Folic acid, they never give an exact value just a greater than and its fine, I take 400 ug of folate a day minimum, somtimes more. B12 was fine. I've found recently that tiredness and mood have improved with extra iodine, b vits and magnesium. (magnesium is my new best friend!)

That is how it works in the UK, I would've liked to know that a doctor looked over my treatment plan but not sure. I pla to severely question the consultant in a few weeks. I've not heard of the flare protocol, I will look into it thanks. I guess the first round is harder as they have no idea how you'll respond and there really was nothing to suggest I would respond badly. The dr seemed confused at that tbh. i do think progesterone injections might be better next time. I read some people don't absorb cyclogest well. Iv'e also read that some people get there levels monitored during the TWW. I hope thats an option.

Fingers cross for you in TWW, I hope it goes well xx

@IsabelHerna good luck! xx

@Bl0rnky indeed first cycles are mostly to see what works and what not in each case. Have they arranged your FET?