@CEllenx Hey of course. So unfortunately I've had a pretty bad experience with all of this in general... apologies for the essay!!
The fertility department (NHS) have been dreadful, 15 months since i sought help from my GP and I have literally no answers as to what's causing my difficulties TTC. I now realise why it takes people 7+ years to get pregnant with the NHS's help.... endless delays due to administrative mistakes, GDPR breaches and inconclusive procedures due to not having the right equipment available. When i chased my procedure appointment in January for the 3rd time since November, i was told the department had closed. Not much other info other and when i asked if they'd be sending letters to patients explaining what's happening i was told no. I am still waiting.
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 4 years ago, despite this my GP didn't check my thyroid markers when i initially went to them for help with TTC, and the fertility specialist has never even mentioned my thyroid issues. I find it infuriating that i have been offered clomid or IVF (i appreciate this is a huge privilege many would die for), when the main issue might simply be that my thyroid needs treating. Both could have been rendered completely pointless if my thyroid markers weren't where they should be (which they aren't..), causing unnecessary levels of stress for me and my body, plus wasting huge amounts of NHS money.
TSH needs to be below 2.5 when you are trying to conceive, but most GP's don't realise this. You can absolutely still get pregnant with thyroid illnesses, but managing your thyroid hormones is really important to ensuring you can get pregnant in the first place, can carry to full term and that mother and baby are healthy.
As far as i am aware, you'd be classed as a high risk pregnancy. That isn't to scare you and tbh it would be a good thing as it means you should be monitored more closely by relevant medical professionals, such as an endocrinologist. Thyroid markers can change very easily, so you'd need regular monitoring of these to see if your medication needs adjusting.
I am not a medical professional - but i would speak to your fertility doctor and demand you have an endocrinologist working with you who can discuss your concerns (if you don't already). I don't know where you're at with the IVF appointments, i haven't had any IVF specific ones so can't comment, but i would ask them about preparing your body and health for IVF to make sure you have the best chances of success. This will include your thyroid markers, but Vitamin D, b12, Ferritin and Folate are also important to monitor when you have thyroid problems. If they are deficient, it can impact your Hashimoto's Disease and Vice Versa, but also impacts how well you absorb and respond to thyroid medication. Gluten free diets are also hugely beneficial for hashimoto's.
Health Unlocked is an incredibly useful forum. I have learnt more there than from any doctor about my health, and it's been reliable & accurate information based on the latest research. Without it, i wouldn't have known TSH needs to be below 2.5 when TTC and i wouldn't have tested my iron levels which showed i am anaemic.
Every part of me wanted to just do the IVF round in case it worked, but i personally feel it makes more sense for me to address any underlying issues first (like my thyroid) before going through IVF. Treating them might even mean i don't need IVF, but if i do, it means my health is in the best possible position it could be. It might even mean it all happens quicker if it avoids multiple IVF rounds.
I know how disheartening it can all be. I was a mess at first trying to put the pieces together as it can be really scary reading about how hashimoto's negatively impacts fertility (especially when GPs are very blasé about the disease), but now it actually feels empowering knowing so much about my own health. Really wishing you lots of good luck xxx