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Trouble TTC
JessicaLeeRiley
member
I haven't been around in a while and first RE appt today and DX of Grave's Disease
JessicaLeeRiley
member
in Trouble TTC
I haven't been on the boards in a while!!! I have a few updates! In October we started infertility work up with my OB and after reading the boards here I decided to switch care to and RE. The U of Minnesota RE is booked out far in advance so we just had our first app today.
During my cycle day 3 labs that I had drawn with my OB I discovered that I have hyperthyroidism and that my TSH level was undetectable. I've since had an appt with an endocrinologist and have had a radioactive idoine uptake test and thyroid scan which shows a Grave's disease as well as having a positive thyrotropin receptor antibody. I have a follow-up appt with the medical endocrinologist on the 29th to make a plan to treat my hyperthyroid.
Today at the RE appt they had DH repeat his SA. The RE said if the repeat is low our only chance of a pregnancy is IVF. But he wants DH to also go to a male urologist and get my thyroid under control before we go forward with any treatment.
Any ladies out there with a diagnosis of Grave's Disease and what did you do as a treatment for it?? TIA!!!
Me:25 dx: Graves Disease. RAI treatment done feb 2013. TTC on hold until Feb 2014 
DH: 27 dx: bilateral varocelle and virtual azoospermia.
Off BCP April 2011
TTC October 2011
Infertility consult with OB October 2012
HSG: clear
Pelvic US: Ovarian Cysts
TSH: 0.006 Dx: Grave disease diagnosed January 2013
DH SA: Low count and motility; repeat SA Jan 2013 low count. Male Urologist specializing in male infertility Feb 2013 dx: bilateral varocelle & virtual azoospermia. Genetic testing done on DH due to extreme low SA. F/U appt in April 2013 to go over genetic test result and make a plan.
RE consult January 2013. No plan made at this time. Wants my thyroid under control and DH to see urologist before plan made, more then likely IVF.
DH: 27 dx: bilateral varocelle and virtual azoospermia.
Off BCP April 2011
TTC October 2011
Infertility consult with OB October 2012
HSG: clear
Pelvic US: Ovarian Cysts
TSH: 0.006 Dx: Grave disease diagnosed January 2013
DH SA: Low count and motility; repeat SA Jan 2013 low count. Male Urologist specializing in male infertility Feb 2013 dx: bilateral varocelle & virtual azoospermia. Genetic testing done on DH due to extreme low SA. F/U appt in April 2013 to go over genetic test result and make a plan.
RE consult January 2013. No plan made at this time. Wants my thyroid under control and DH to see urologist before plan made, more then likely IVF.This discussion has been closed.
Re: I haven't been around in a while and first RE appt today and DX of Grave's Disease
Hello there from SD
In April 12 I found out my TSH was 0.007. I was sent to an endo and turns out I have thyroiditis. In July my TSH was up to 3.5 and I was put on Synthroid. Hopefully they'll get a treatment option figured out for you soon. I know Dr had us put off TTC May, June and July- sucky!!
I believe with the radioactive iodine treatment you have to put off TTC for 6-12 months though?
BTW- I went off BCP in April 11 and we started TTC in October 11 also. Small world.
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Married 8/21/2010, Off BCP April 2011, Started TTC 10/2011
Hi. I, too, have Graves disease. Mine is currently in a state of "remission" of sorts (normal T3 and T4 but still extremely low TSH; positive for anti-thyroid antibodies), so I'm not actually doing any treatment at the moment, just having my levels monitored every three months. You mentioned that your TSH was undetectable (which is very common with Graves); did you have your T3 and T4 checked? Though TSH is what is tested most commonly, it's really the T3 and T4 that are most important, so make sure your endocrinologist bases your treatment on those numbers and not your TSH.
As far as treatment options goes, there's (1) surgical removal of the thyroid (which is probably the least common option), which requires you to take replacement hormones thereafter; (2) radio-iodine therapy, which basically kills your thyroid and also requires replacement hormones thereafter (and you have to wait a minimum of 6 months to try to conceive afterward), and (3) medication, which is safe to take during pregnancy, though you will need close monitoring. A lot of doctors in the US push for radio-iodine therapy, but if you are wanting to conceive soon, that's not a good option for you and medication is likely the best bet. I have a treatment plan with my endocrinologist in case my numbers change and I go out of "remission" and require treatment. That plan is for medication (propylthiouracil (PTU) while trying to get pregnant and during the first trimester; methimazole (MMI) thereafter).
It's important to have your Graves disease in check before you get pregnant. Most important, you want to have your T3 and T4 in the upper third of the normal range. Though there are plenty of women with Graves disease who get pregnant without a problem, there are many studies showing a correlation between antithyroid antibodies and unexplained infertility. With treatment, however, many of those with fertility issues do go on to have successful pregnancies (though expect that you will need extra monitoring and may need to see a high-risk Ob/Gyn). Good luck!
(And sorry for the long post; it's just not that common to find someone else with Graves disease, and though I'm sorry you have to deal with, it's always nice to find someone else in the same boat.)