Synthroid & TTC

Shutterbug · 02-23-2009, 06:49 PM

Hey all,

I have been lurking on these boards for a few weeks now, but I have been waiting for my test results to come back before I found a good "home," here.

I saw my OB/GYN back in January due to extremely irregular cycles (3-4x a year) since my husband and I are looking to conceive. Last week, I had an U/S and lab work done to figure out what is wrong. My U/S showed poly cystic ovaries, and I was told if it is my insulin levels, we would go with metformin, and my insulin was fine, I would start clomid. She also put me on Provera (which I am on Day 7/10 on) to start AF. I just got the call back today that my TSH is off, and I am going to be starting on synthroid for three months. After three months, I will see my doctor again for an update.

My question is, I am a complete newbie when it comes to hypothyroidism, synthroid, and especially in regards to TTC. The woman from my doctor's office sounded like she wasn't even told that I was TTC, and so she is still going to have my doctor call me back, because I had all these questions about synthroid and TTC, since this aspect was not brought up during our appointment at all.

What are the side effects? Do you have to stay on it permanently? Has anyone had any success with conceiving while on it? How long does it take to see positive changes in your cycle while on it?

I have been Google'ing a lot of these questions, but some of the information seems inconsistent and confusing. I like to hear straight from women who have been there. Thanks in advance ladies

jsr72 · 02-24-2009, 12:31 AM

It's really good that you were dx with hypothyroidism prior to getting pregnant. Once you're hypothyroid, you always are. You will need to take medication for the rest of your life to replace the thyroid hormone that your body does not make. It's really important to have your thyroid under control while pregnant bc an out of control thyroid can have negative effects on a developing baby.

After three months on synthroid, your doc will have your TSH levels tested again to see if your dose needs to be adjusted. Once pregnant, you'll have it test several times too, to ensure you're on the correct dosage while pg. You will need to continue your synthroid while pregnant as well.

I, too, was dx with hypo when I went to an RE for my lack of periods. Like you, my isulin was ok but my ovaries had lots of cysts. I started on synthroid immediately and have had it adjusted a few times over the last few years. Getting it under control certainly helped my energy level. I hope this info. helps-let me know if you have more questions. Best of luck to you!

Shutterbug · 02-24-2009, 01:04 AM

Thank you so much for responding to me! As the day has gone on, and I have read more threads throughout this board, I realized just how important it is to get my thyroid levels under control before I can have a healthy pregnancy. I was initially very anxious to conceive, but I definitely need to overcome that emotion and replace it with positivity, and recognize that a healthy mommy makes a healthy baby!

How soon did you notice the positive changes in energy? This past year and a half, something has definitely felt "off," for me. I tend to be sluggish and tire easily, and generally felt "down."

If you don't mind me asking, how was TTC for you? I always enjoy hearing others experiences who have been through the same thing.

Again, thanks for the quick response, and I look forward to joining you all on this board

jsr72 · 02-24-2009, 05:26 PM

This board has been a godsend to me. I was thrilled to have found it when I was TTC DS. It is the one place I can go to and feel like I belong. No one in my life has PCOS or has had to deal with infertility so I sometimes feel like a freak. But here, there are all kinds of women who have been through so much.

Stay positive! That is the best thing you can do for yourself-have a positive attitude! You're so right about a healthy mom means a healthy baby.

As far as energy levels, it took a few months bc I had to get my dosage level accurate. It's annoying that it can take so long but looking back, I think my thyroid had been out of whack for 4-5 years without me realizing that something was truly wrong with me. I was tired, cold, and had a foggy brain along with some weight gain. I didn't think to ever go to the doctor for such symptoms.

Once I went to an RE, TTC went well for me. My RE dx my hypothyroid and PCOS. She got me on synthroid and Metformin ASAP. The following month I added clomid. That cycle was a bust so I upped clomid to 100mg. Now I have a wonderful son who is almost three. In all, it only took me three months of being under the care of an RE for me to get pregnant. I consider myself very lucky that it was such a short amount of time compared to what other women here have gone through.

I wish you the best of luck. It's so great that you are able to take control of your health!

*suzie* · 02-24-2009, 05:45 PM

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 1999, had radioactive iodine abilation (some of my thyroid tissue was destroyed so it would stop over producing. This caused me to be hypothyroid. So i take synthroid. (So my situation is different from yours, but maybe some of this info will help.) I was told that my cycles would go back to normal once my thyroid levels were back to normal, i started bc, i sure was suprised 5 years later when i went off bc and wasn't having any periods. I will be on thyroid meds the rest of my life because of the tx that i received for hyperthyroidism. Synthroid is a man mad form of a hormone that is produced in your body so it doesn't have alot of side effects if the right dose is given. I took 1 year to get pregnant with fertility treatment of clomid, trigger shot, IUI. My RE said that while trying to conceive it is best to have your thyroid levels on the low end of normal (.3-1.5). I took synthroid through my whole pregnancy, although the dose needed to be increased quite a bit. I had my DD about 2 months ago and now I have to get my levels regulated again. Good luck to you.

kadia3 · 03-14-2009, 11:26 PM

I was curious about this also. thanks for asking and thanks for the answers ladies.