infertility and hypothyroid

sammibag · 10-05-2004, 11:34 PM

i have a distinct feeling that my infertility is directly linked to hypothyroid. My most recent blood test:
TSH: 4.22 with a rang of: .5-5.5
Free T4: .097 this was smack dab in the middle of the lab's normal range.
Those are the only tests that were run.
My husband and I have been trying to conceive for over 4 years. I am looking for some information on how to approach my doctor and convince him that i need more tests run. I have EVERY symptom of hypothyroid. The one thing that helps the most is progesterone creme. I would like to do as much as i can through natural means. Please give me some insight into hypothyroid, infertitliy, blood levels, and natural remedies!
thanks so much!!

cdcm · 10-06-2004, 12:16 AM

Hope this link works... and scroll down towards the bottom about TSH levels.

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyr...ertreated.htm.

The range was changed about 6 months ago (I think)... According to the new range of .3 - 3 you are DEFINATELY hypothyroid... and it WILL interfere with your ability to get PG... and IF you get PG... if you're thyroid IS NOT treated... it is likely to get worse... and you WILL LOSE your baby...

Get this info to your doctor... and TO THE LAB... they should have the correct info.

Ask for a referal to an ENDO... they KNOW BETTER... and most PCP's don't...

Good luck!

Oh yeah... You probably need Thyroid replacement... as for natural remedies.... you might try some yoga positions... the FISH, the PLOW (look these up on the internet to see the pose)... These bend the neck and basically massage the thyroid... helping it produce more thyroid... Oh... I can't tell you how good you will feel once you start replacment... your life with change...

sammibag · 10-06-2004, 02:57 PM

thanks for the info. i am going to call the dr. today. i bought the book "how to live well with hypothyroid" and it is wonderful! my husband and i are very excited about finding out about my hypothyroid...even though we had to do all the research on our own! this explains so much about infertitlity and my general un-well being

i read the you ar preggers! congrats! we have done many IUIs, with no luck (which sounds about right with this whole thyroid thing going on). our next step would have been invitro...but now we may be able to do it natural if we can figure out the thryroid!

thanks

sammibag · 10-06-2004, 03:10 PM

what tests should i ask to have run? i know the TSH and T4 are the only ones my gyno did. i am calling my regular dr. who is wonderful about humoring me. what tests should i request in order to get a ful view of what is happening???

thanks

sammibag · 10-07-2004, 08:36 PM

mean old doctors!

i went to see my dr. today. he actually said to me: "you may not want to hear this, but you do realize that these symptoms are also caused by depression" i was so upset! But, then i said to him..." yes, i realize that, BUT hypothyroid CAUSES depression!" hehehe,. it was great! he said that the lab won't do the antibodies test. that made me mad. but, he did do the other tests, so we will see. i will keep you posted and i will need some help sorting through the results!
thanks

PCOSinDC · 10-08-2004, 08:01 PM

I conceived the 1st month that my TSH was between 1-2. My other hormone levels had been 'OK' for about 9 months, and we finally treated my borderline hypothyroidism, and I conceived immediately.

Good luck to you!! If your endo wont help you, find one that will.

Erica

katmid · 10-11-2004, 02:10 PM

Hi, just wanted to add to what others have said. Hypothyroidism can cause infertility probs. Many who are hypo do not ovulate. We went through a couple of years of trying, and then went to the doc....was placed on levoxyl for hormone replacement....conceived. However, you must have your doc check your thyroid at least every trimester as your need for meds may increase. Also, you mentioned more natural ways to treat it....last year after not feeling well for sometime and after a lot of research, I chose to have my doc change my meds to a natural hormone replacement rather than synthetic live synthroid or levoxyl It is called Armour Thyroid and is derived from a pig's thyroid. Many docs do not like Armour so you may have to insist. Your doc needs to do not only TSH, but FREE t4 and FREE t3 tests to determine what is needed. Optimal TSH is around 1.0, and the other's t3, and t4 need to be in the upper range to feel good. Labs are not using the new ranges less than 3.0 being normal...and many docs don't acknowledge it either. Good luck and hang in there!
Kat