TTC and thyroid levels?

Rebecca527 · 10-17-2007, 10:36 PM

I just had blood taken today to check my thyroid, which I believe is out of whack...I have all the symptoms of hypo.

What I'm wondering is...what level do doctors like to see when TTC? Or more accurately, if my TSH is high, is there a "magic number" that getting it down to will help with TTC? I believe that is what is standing in the way of us getting pregnant, because I seem to ovulate when I'm on ovulation inducing meds, I have low basal body temps, and I haven't been pregnant in the three years we've been trying.

The last time I had my TSH checked was in 2001, and it was 2.02 then. I have no idea what it is now, I have an appointment next Wednesday to discuss my bloodwork with my doctor. If it is high, will getting it down help me to get pregnant, and more importantly, FEEL BETTER???

Thanks in advance for any insight!!!

lovemychris · 10-18-2007, 12:33 AM

If your TSH is elevated, yes, you will feel MUCH better when the levels drop.

You want your TSH level at about 1.0 for optimal chances of conception and carrying the baby to term.

If your TSH level is over 3.04, you need to be treated. Not all doctors use the same TSH range. Some won't treat until it's 5.0 or higher. I don't understand that one bit and it frustrates me.

Also, if your TSH level is elevated, it could take anywhere from 6mos to a year to get it where it should be (depending upon how high it is) before you should really even ttc. I know this is discouraging, but it could prevent any possible m/c's. Of course, everyone is different and I've read a few stories of women who conceived and carried with slightly high TSH levels.

If your dr tells you that your TSH is normal, ask him/her if thyroid antibodies were checked, and if so, are they elevated? If so, it's probably just a matter of time until they attack your thyroid and make you hypo. You'll need your levels checked more closely if that's the case.

Make sure you get a copy of your lab results. There's more info I can give you (if you want) when you know what your levels are. Feel free to post here or PM me. Best wishes.

PS- I noticed in your siggy that you take soy...that's pretty much a no-no with hypo patients. It will aggravate the condition. You can google 'soy hypothyroidism' and you'll see all the warnings.

Also, Mary Shomon writes about it and advises against soy in her book Living Well with Hypothyroidism

Rebecca527 · 10-18-2007, 01:19 AM

Thank you so much for the information! All you said was VERY helpful! As soon as I find out the results of the bloodwork, I will probably be coming to you for more advice.

Oh, and I have actually stopped taking the soy about three months ago...another friend of mine on here said the same thing about it, and now I'm wondering if all this time I've been doing more harm to myself than good.

Thank you again for your response!

lovemychris · 10-18-2007, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebecca527

Thank you so much for the information! All you said was VERY helpful! As soon as I find out the results of the bloodwork, I will probably be coming to you for more advice.

Oh, and I have actually stopped taking the soy about three months ago...another friend of mine on here said the same thing about it, and now I'm wondering if all this time I've been doing more harm to myself than good.

Thank you again for your response!

You're welcome--and yeah, let me know when you get your results. I'm really curious what your TSH level is and if antibody levels were checked. Good luck!

CK2007 · 10-22-2007, 05:10 PM

Just to add to what has already been said. My RE said he likes to see his patients be a little over active than underactive. He said he wanted the TSH level down to < 2.5. He wanted me to see a regular endocrinologist for a perscription and that doctor said typically, the RE's like to see TSH between 1 and 2 for conceiving.
My level was over 7 in the beginning of July. I was then tested again at the end of August and was just over 5 with no perscription change.
My endocrinologist upped my dosage from 125 mcg to 137 mcg and in less than 4 weeks I was at 2.0 by the end of September. My RE is happy with that and I am starting IVF next month!

Rebecca527 · 10-22-2007, 09:58 PM

CK~ That's awesome! I guess it's an individual thing, but should I expect my numbers to drop that quickly too? I don't even know for sure what the numbers are yet...I go for my appointment to discuss the bloodwork on Wednesday. Good luck with your IVF!

Lynn~ Thanks, I'm curious too...actually I'm getting really nervous about this all. It's kind of my last hope to cling to with the whole TTC thing. I've been driving myself and my entire family nuts going on about it for the last week! LOL I'll be sure to update Wednesday night after my appointment!

Thanks again for all the advice and great information!

Rebecca527 · 10-24-2007, 11:08 PM

Well, I had my appointment today to discuss the thyroid bloodwork and all did not go as I'd hoped. My TSH is 3.74. Free T4 is 1.0. I saw on the lab report (which I had to beg him for) that they didn't check anything else like antibodies or anything. My doctor (who is a general practitioner, not an endocrinologist, but he treats my mom for her hypo) doesn't think this is indicative of HYPO. WTF??? I even told him that the ranges were outdated, and that the optimal level for TTC is between 1 and 2, and after I told him that I've done a lot of research, he pretty much shut me down. Apparently he doesn't like educated patients. He said that all my symptoms indicate hypo, but my numbers don't. Um, yeah they do! So, long story short, I'm going to have to fight for this diagnosis just like I had to fight for my PCOS diagnosis years ago. I'm so pissed off right now I could cry. And I have. He gave me the name of a couple of endos that he thought might "be able to see the missing piece of the puzzle" and might believe that it needs to be treated, but as he put it, he didn't believe it warrants treatment. It's only getting worse. In 2001, my TSH was 2.02. Now it's 3.74. I guess now my next step is to find an endo near me (the other ones he gave me were like 50 miles from me...he's 60 miles away and I don't want to drive that far) and get more tests done. What do you think?

lovemychris · 10-24-2007, 11:25 PM

Rebecca,

Yes, in my opinion, you have subclinical hypothyroidism. A TSH level of 3.74 warrants treatment, even if it's 25mcg of synthroid per day. I think you already know your doctor is being a jerk. And if a higher-than-normal TSH level is not indicative of being hypo, then I don't know what is. I'm so sorry. Also, you (or your insurance) paid for the lab results, doctors cannot refuse to provide you a copy so long as they have viewed them first.

A good endo will definitely start you on a low dose of levothyroxine and re-check levels in 6-8 weeks. If your mother is hypo, it's almost a certainty that you have Hashimoto's which means elevated antibodies (the ones attacking your thyroid causing it to function poorly). These same antibodies can possibly prevent pregnancy or cause a m/c. And grrr...I'd be so frustrated if you told me this doctor knows your mother is hypo and you are her daughter!

I hope you make an appt with an endo very soon and take your lab results with you. You'll probably be given a Rx the same day and have your antibodies and other levels checked.

I am so mad that some doctors overlook something like this! It happened to me and nothing was done until I lost 40% of my hair in one month. When I was dx'ed, my TSH was like 6.57 or something. When I asked for old lab results, I saw that 6 months prior to that, my TSH was 3.43. Close enough. Anyway, it had climbed that much in a matter of 6 months...and boy did I feel really bad and sluggish. Not to mention the hairloss. I'm not trying to scare you or anything, just letting you know that sometimes you have to really pursue it (and I suppose you know because of your PCOS dx).

Best wishes!!

Rebecca527 · 10-24-2007, 11:39 PM

Thank you Lynn! I thought it was quite odd that he didn't think I needed to be treated. Oh, and by the way...funny you should mention it...I did tell him that my mother is hypo and that he is the one that treats her and he just got a little smirk on his face and said "Yes, I know your mom quite well." He KNOWS our family history. My mom, grandmother, great aunt, and my cousin all have some form of hypo AND all go to HIM for treatment!!!

I'm definitely looking tomorrow (my insurance provider directory is in my desk at work) for an endo...for someone...anyone...who will listen.

Oh, and I also bought Mary Shomon's book Living Well With Hypothyroidism over the weekend...what a fantastic resource!!!

Thanks again for all the advice, you have no idea how much I appreciate it!

Rebecca527 · 10-25-2007, 09:03 PM

Thanks Lynn, for your recommendation on my other thread. Unfortunately none of the doctors listed are close to me, but I did find an endocrinologist in my insurance directory that is. I have an appointment with her next Friday. I explained the situation to the receptionist, called the jerk doctor's office to have them fax the labs, but since I have a copy I'm also going to fax them myself, along with a letter that I wrote explaining my symptoms and history. I'm hoping that makes an impact and she will take me seriously. I feel a little better, knowing I might be a little closer to treatment. Now to wait one more week! LOL

Renee3600 · 10-25-2007, 09:27 PM

Rebecca - I'm sure you'll find an endo that will listen. If the one you made the appointment with one Friday doesn't listen then you might want to find another one. You got in really fast by the way. I had to wait a month and a half to get in to mine. You might also consider looking for a reproductive endocrinologist. They might rely more on the 1-2 TSH more than another one would. Once I got my TSH down to 1.1 I got pregnant. My endo was going to leave it at 4, but I told her I still had a lot of hypo symtoms, so she upped my dosage. That's bull crap that your doc wouldn't listen. Unfortunately I miscarried, but I don't think it was due to thyroid issues. I think it was due to my undiagnosed PCOS. She didn't think I had PCOS because I am thin and don't have facial hair, etc. I finally got her to test my testosterone again after the mc and it was high. Tomorrow they are going to test my glucose and insulin. Anyway, Good Luck and be persistent if you have to!
Renee

lovemychris · 10-25-2007, 11:52 PM

Hi Rebecca,

I agree with the pp, that's awesome they made an appt for you that quickly (seems so many endos are tied up with diabetics and it takes forever to see one--especially as a new patient), so congrats on getting in there quickly. There is no reason an endo wouldn't start you on a low dose of levothyroxine (like Synthroid). And when it happens, you'll definitely want to get the name brand and not the generic. A month's supply of Synthroid is about $20 (and there's always a $3 off coupon at synthroid.com). Generic thyroid medicine is not consistent in dosage and you'll never really know where your TSH levels stands in the long run. Anyway, I'm jumping the gun. Let me know how your appt goes! Don't be surprised if your dr sends you for a thyroid u/s.

Turtlegirl68 · 10-26-2007, 02:54 PM

Rebecca, I hope that you find an endo that will listen to you. My endo also told me she wants my TSH down to 1.0 before I try to conceive. Good luck and I hope you get some answers!!!

nasheajones · 10-27-2007, 04:25 AM

I will have to go back to my Doc because he refuse to treat me, and my level is 5.41..He said it was because it is only slightly above the ranges

I know I have it! I have every symptom...it is so frustrating. I think he said I have sub clinical..or something and I do not need meds? even though I think I do? I wonder if my level is elevated enough that it could of caused my miscarriage? what do you girls think?

Rebecca527 · 10-27-2007, 01:21 PM

Nashea~ Please keep fighting, and look for a different doctor that goes by the new levels. I have an appointment next Friday with an endocrinologist, and I'm hoping that she will treat me, as I have all the symptoms as well, and I believe that's why I haven't been able to get pregnant. Hypothyroidism does play a huge role in getting and staying pregnant. I hope Lynn will see your post and give you some more guidance and advice. She's incredibly knowledgeable about this. Please don't give up...find a doctor that will listen to you and treat you properly. Good luck!!!