PCOS, Hypo and Fertility

SharonO · 08-22-2002, 01:13 AM

Hello again Ladies....

Has anyone started treatment for Hypo and noticed and improvement in ovulation and fertility?

I'm already takening Gluc, and my RE is talking about starting on Clomid next. My aim is to get the TSH down to 1-2, and if that does not work then I will try the Clomid. It seems backward to try it the other way around!

Anyhow, I just wondered if anyone has seen an improvement in their cycles and "regularity" as a result of starting treatment for Hypo?

JessicaE · 08-22-2002, 11:58 AM

Hmmm, interesting question, Sharon. Since hypo can affect cycle length, for non-PCOS women thyroid treatment should restore normal cycles. However, we have an additional complication, so I would doubt that hypo treatment alone would be enough.

I'll be interested to hear how it goes for you, though! If your not in any hurry to conceive, why not wait and see? Are you on Met? I started Met and Synthroid at almost the same time (Feb. and March), and my cycles have regulated to 32-35 days. I am not Oing, however (or maybe just a weak O), so we've now added in Clomid.

You definitely should get the hypo under control before TTC, though, since it can affect fertility and cause developmental problems in the fetus. Sounds like you're on the right track!

shenacat · 08-25-2002, 11:12 AM

I think I've been mildly hypo for a very long time and not treated. I had cycles normally from age 11-13 and then things started slowing down, by age 15 I was lucky to have 2 cycles a year, by age 21 I had not cycled in a year or more (I had lost count) when I went on bcp, and it completely regulated me. When I went off bcp in Dec. 2001, age 24, I had a huge case of thyroiditis that tipped off the docs. I went on armour thyroid in april 2002 after finding a good doc who would listen to me and help me out.

I had not had a period on my own since dec. 2001 except the one induced by provera in early june 2002 by my reproductive endo who is treating my pcos. She put me on glucophage 2000mg at that time.

My thyroid levels have settled and I just took a dosage increase last week.

Last week I had my first non-provera or bcp induced period in 4 years! I have no doubt in my mind that it wasn't just the glucophage but also the thyroid meds that did it.

p.s. hypothyroidism is a problem for fertility but not nearly as big a problem as PCOS so... take heart

MT · 09-07-2002, 01:06 PM

Hi Sharon,

I'ved been diagnosed PCOS and hypo March of this year. Started the synthroid and levels are now in normal range. Yes, I have seen a difference in my cycles--they are now every 28 days like clockwork and I now ovulate between the 12th and 16th day of my cycle every cycle. My RE did not put me on any meds yet, but I am having a laporoscopy next week to remove classic string of pearls cysts from right ovary and huge endometrial cyst from the left one. My doctor said that since the thyroid is in check and I am cycling and ovulating regularly on my own, the lap should really help us get preg. He wants to do meds with insemination next cycle to help us along as we have been trying to conceive now for 2 1/2 years. He said he doesn't think it's going to be hard to get me pregnant--I sure hope he is right.

Anyway, I don't know other medical specifics in your case, but if it is similar to mine, I would think that you'd be in good shape once the synthroid starts taking effect for you. Good luck and lots of baby dust your way ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Missy

LSGMSU1 · 09-10-2002, 09:06 AM

I've been on 50 mcg of Synthroid since July and 500 mg of met since August, and I've used soy isoflavones in the June/July cycle CD 5-9 and July/August cycle CD 3-7. I went from being anovulatory for the past 4 months to a 32 and 29 day cycle. I'm currently trying this for a 3rd cycle and waiting to O. I don't know whether it's the synthroid (though my endo said for the July/August cycle it would have been too early for it to kick in), the met, the soy isoflavones or the combination of all 3. But 29 days was the shortest cycle I have ever had in my life!

shenacat · 09-10-2002, 11:38 AM

Just PLEASE remember that soy is a major goitrogen. It inhibits thyroid activity. Soy isoflavines are a "fake" type of estrogen. It fits into the estrogen receptors for longer than human estrogen does, and it doesn't trigger the same type of response that human estrogen does. So, it honestly is not the answer, and creates more harm than good in the overall.

If you need estrogen replacement, please seek the advice of a physician in getting some estrogel or estrogen patches, instead of using soy. And remember, you probably need a higher dose of medication while using it.

redroo · 09-21-2002, 05:36 PM

Hi
I for one have not had an improvement in my cycles with thyroid meds alone. I still use prometrium to stimulate bleeding every month. Even with the progesterone I don't ovulate but maybe 3 - 4 times a year (the same number of periods I would have before prometrium was used) I wish it were better news. I'm hoping met can help me because we want to get pregnant so bad!
Best of Luck,
Denise/ NC