Autoimmune Thyroid disease and miscarriage

[Allybiscuits]

Hi everyone,

This may be a long shot but I would really value any advice on autoimmune thyroid disease (Graves disease) and miscarriage

I was treated with medication for 18 months to stabilise my thyroid, and was on the wait list for a Thyroidectomy. However my antibodies stayed low and my thyroid was in range for 12 months and stayed this way after stopping the meds, therefore consultant was happy for us to TTC. I had a nuclear scan which showed my thyroid was overactive but stable.

Sadly I’m miscarrying at 8 weeks, just crushing really. I know this could be a “one off” but I really want to seek further testing, which I can’t bear to go through more heartbreak to be eligible for, therefore happy to go private to at least see if there are more factors.

My question is, does anyone have any recommendations for a fertility specialist/clinic who are good with autoimmune disease? I live in the midlands and have seen Dr Shetatas name appear however I haven’t had even basic testing yet, so would a fertility/IVF clinic be appropriate initially?

I feel there could be more at play than just the graves.

Has anyone had successful pregnancy’s with Graves’ disease?

I was told many times that miscarriage is a risk factor with Graves but it’s so confusing as it appeared to be in remission.

Many thanks in advance

Ally

Hi
I had Graves when I was younger (20s) and it went into remission. I then developed Hashimotos in my late 30s which caused 6 miscarriages. I saw a consultant called Rami Stalls who is based in Hertfordshire. He prescribed steroids, heparin and progesterone and fortnightly scans to monitor my pregnancy and I was fortunate to have 2 babies. The steroids were to dampen the immune system.
I appreciate this is not particular to your Graves disease, but it's similar in terms of thyroid antibodies. I also had my thyroid checked monthly during pregnancy.

Sorry it was Rami Atalla. (Damn autocorrect)

Thank you so much for your reply - I will look Rami Atalla up, it’s good to have a name

It’s so good to hear you had successful pregnancies with having autoimmune thyroid conditions too, I’m hoping so much with some assisted treatments it might be successful in future

Many thanks

Ally

You could also try Dr Gorgy in London.

Hi there is an ongoing thread on the TTC boards here that goes into lots and lots of detail about autoimmune issues. I think it's called the Pred Thread or similar (sorry I wish I could link but have not looked at it for a long time).
Full of very knowledgeable posters x

Ps: I also have Graves' disease (in remission) and although couldn't comment on your particular case, I do know that there is a big difference in what the NHS deem to be acceptable thyroid hormone levels and what fertility clinics believe to be optimal levels.

Immune/ NK cells - Pred threat 27 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/4133786-immune-nk-cells-pred-threat-27

Here's the pred thread.

@greendress789 thank you so much for sending me this link, I will definitely be having a read today and I’ll look up Dr Gorgy too

@StarryStrawberry thank you for letting me know about the Pred Thread! And I think you’re right, it’s quite a wide range of thyroid levels that may be acceptable but not optimal. The only one I know was ok was the TSH but I guess it’s quite sensitive in pregnancy and maybe still wasn’t optimal

Thank you all x

Good luck ☺️

@Allybiscuits

Hi everyone,

This may be a long shot but I would really value any advice on autoimmune thyroid disease (Graves disease) and miscarriage

I was treated with medication for 18 months to stabilise my thyroid, and was on the wait list for a Thyroidectomy. However my antibodies stayed low and my thyroid was in range for 12 months and stayed this way after stopping the meds, therefore consultant was happy for us to TTC. I had a nuclear scan which showed my thyroid was overactive but stable.

Sadly I’m miscarrying at 8 weeks, just crushing really. I know this could be a “one off” but I really want to seek further testing, which I can’t bear to go through more heartbreak to be eligible for, therefore happy to go private to at least see if there are more factors.

My question is, does anyone have any recommendations for a fertility specialist/clinic who are good with autoimmune disease? I live in the midlands and have seen Dr Shetatas name appear however I haven’t had even basic testing yet, so would a fertility/IVF clinic be appropriate initially?

I feel there could be more at play than just the graves.

Has anyone had successful pregnancy’s with Graves’ disease?

I was told many times that miscarriage is a risk factor with Graves but it’s so confusing as it appeared to be in remission.

Many thanks in advance

Ally

Care fertility Birmingham. However, their preferred choice of treatment (prednisolone and lipids) might not be suitable during the pandemic.

@GrumpyHoonMain Thank you, Care were one of the places I thought I’d try. There’s so many options, which is great, I just hope I can find a place that knows something about the bizarre nature of autoimmune diseases