Prolactin and thyroid effects on fertility

[Williams3001]

DH and I have been TTC #2 for 7 months and had our bloods done (privately) this cycle. Honestly I was expecting lots of issues as DH's sperm analysis came back all okay and I've had soo many cycle-related issues since DS was born (GP diagnosed me with PMDD and hormone sensitivity), but everything was in normal range. So now, of course, I'm hyper-focused on the details of how far is 'normal' actually normal.

Anyway, a couple of readings – TSH and prolactin – were on the 'higher' end of 'normal':
TSH: 2.72 mIU/L (normal range: 0.27–4.21, but the recommended level while TTC is apparently 2.5 mIU/L)
Prolactin: 466 mIU/L (normal range: 102.1–496.1)

The test flagged the TSH because of the recommended TTC level. I tried to get a referral through DH's health insurance but was rejected, so now trying our NHS GP, but I'm not sure if we'll get anywhere, as it's still in 'normal' range.

The prolactin is far closer to the top end of normal; DS currently has one short feed before bed a couple of times a week (he was having some every night until two months ago), though I hadn't expected it to be that high, as most people who are still breastfeeding seem to be fine conceiving as long as there's an 8–10-hour break at some point in the day (usually overnight or while kiddo is at childcare). Before getting into IUI or other things, I've considered stopping breastfeeding when he turns three over the summer, but I'd rather not end it sooner than he's willing if this isn't going to make a difference.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else has experience/stories of anything similar and what they were able to do.

I have had high prolactin (530) and take a tablet to lower it (parlodel) but I'm still not pregnant so I'm not sure how much it impacts

I had high prolactin (1,000, 990 and 982) over 3 tests and subclinical hypothyroid (it fluctuates a lot - ranges from 4.5 - 9.8 without medication). Managed to get the prolactin down to 225 after taking levothyroxine. Thyroid initially went down but shot up again and I’m currently having dose increases every 10 weeks to get it to a normal level.

Prolactin issue can indicate you might not be ovulating, but your levels are normal. I was still regularly ovulating every month even when it was high. Being stressed about blood test/exercise before test can increase it too. I wouldn’t be too worried. If you’re breastfeeding still, this probably explains why it’s the higher side of normal as it increases when breastfeeding.

Re your thyroid, you might be able to push for a small dose of levothyroxine to get it down. If you’re going through your GP rather than fertility clinic for that, you will have to push for it. They wouldn’t give me medication until I said I was starting ivf and it needs to be below 2.5. It was 6.9 at the time. GPS don’t like doing anything until it’s over 10 and overt hypothyroidism or if your T4 is off.

I don’t have any positive outcome yet though, heading towards second IVF round.

Thanks for sharing your journey so far. I'm waiting on a GP call on Monday to see if they'll refer me. If they won't refer, then hopefully I can take their refusal to my private insurance (they rejected as my policy only covers things that aren't routinely sorted by GP, apparently – except I've had no problems being referred private for gyno and foot issues already. I suspect they're getting bored with my high claims this year 😅.)