Synthroid ??

BeeBee08

For those of you who have added synthroid to your treatment plan, are you dealing with hypothyroidism?  I have seen quite a few people add it, but not everyone has hypothydroidism in their dx in siggies.  If you added it, why did you?

I have been researching it and I want to bring it up with my RE, but a little more info from some you guys will help me understand if I have legitimate questions or if I'm grasping at straws here.

Thanks!

liz4paws

My RE put me on it when I got pregnant in Feb. My TSH was normal from a human-being standpoint, but I guess they like to see it in even a tighter and lower when TTC and also during pregnancy. I want to say that she said it ideally should be below 2.5 and mine was 2.56 or something like that.

I don't know a lot about it beyond that, but I take 25 mcg (the lowest dose) and at my last draw it did go down to 1 something, so it's working.

Have you had any bloodwork done on your thyroid before?

hmz819

I have read that TSH should be between 12 for TTC. Mine is between 23 and my RE hasn't put me on synthroid. However, I have my appointment with my immunologist tomorrow and plan on asking. I can let you know what I find out if you like.

BeeBee08

liz4paws:

Have you had any bloodwork done on your thyroid before?

Yes, I have it done every year with my regular physical, with my IFwork-up, and with a naturopath. I comletely forget what it was at, but I know that it was considered "normal".  But now I see that "normal" doesn't mean optimal for TTC...

hootie123

I have almost the same situation as Liz.  Mine TSH was over 2 but under 3 - so I've been on 25mcg of levothyroxine and its now below 2. 

BeeBee08

hmz819:

I have read that TSH should be between 12 for TTC. Mine is between 23 and my RE hasn't put me on synthroid. However, I have my appointment with my immunologist tomorrow and plan on asking. I can let you know what I find out if you like.

Yes, please let me know!  And Good Luck!!

liz4paws

BeeBee08:

liz4paws:

Have you had any bloodwork done on your thyroid before?

Yes, I have it done every year with my regular physical, with my IFwork-up, and with a naturopath. I comletely forget what it was at, but I know that it was considered "normal".  But now I see that "normal" doesn't mean optimal for TTC...

Yup, this is true. My RE also explained that when you do get pregnant, the baby doesn't have it's own thyroid for the first trimester, so it uses yours and can make it go up. Hence the importance for keeping it low from the get go. I hope I'm conveying this all accurately, because it's been one of those things I haven't dove in super deep with. Good luck. It's definitely worth asking about.

BAKERMOMHDS

**lurker loo**

I have hypothyroidism, and I take .137mg of levothyroxine daily (I have for the past 20 years). My TSH prior to being diagnosed was greater than 60

My levels have only slightly fluctuated over the last 5 years TTC, not enough to change my dose of levothyroxine (generic for Synthroid).

Ecarabeo217

I also had Synthroid added on before IVF 2.

 So the "normal" ranges for TSH are anywhere from 0.5 to 4.5 and up to 5 depending on the lab. The problem is that the normal range applies equally to a 20yr old woman as it does to an 80yr old man. Endocrinologists are realizing that it should probably be changed to consider the age of the patient. In the meantime, the studies that were done showed that women who conceive without difficulty generally have their TSH under 2.5, ideally under 2. Studies on women dealing with infertility showed a trend toward higher levels. What they know about subclinical hypothyroidism is that it can interfere with implantation and can lead to early miscarriages. While there is no consensus, most REs are trending toward adding Synthroid in those women whose TSH is considered "normal" but higher than 2.5 to optimize and hopefully improve the chances at a successful IVF outcome. 

One caveat....because the doses for Synthroid are in micrograms, and the FDA allows for a small variance in the amount of drug from brand to generic, getting a generic might mean a technically different dose than what you might be prescribed. My RE said BRAND ONLY since he only has me on 25mcg which is the smallest dose. IVF 2 didn't work for me, but I do feel better since being on it. My cycles have gotten a little longer (they had gotten really short for a while) and I have a bit more flow (they had gotten really scanty) since starting. 

Sophistikitty

My TSH was 5.2 when I first started fertility treatments, so Synthroid was prescribed right away.  I have managed to keep my levels below 2.5 except for when I get pregnant, then it spikes.  There is a huge amount of evidence surrounding uncontrolled thyroid issues and miscarriage.  You might want to check out this website which I happened upon after my last loss.  https://hypothyroidmom.com/

liz4paws

Ecarabeo217:

I also had Synthroid added on before IVF 2.

 So the "normal" ranges for TSH are anywhere from 0.5 to 4.5 and up to 5 depending on the lab. The problem is that the normal range applies equally to a 20yr old woman as it does to an 80yr old man. Endocrinologists are realizing that it should probably be changed to consider the age of the patient. In the meantime, the studies that were done showed that women who conceive without difficulty generally have their TSH under 2.5, ideally under 2. Studies on women dealing with infertility showed a trend toward higher levels. What they know about subclinical hypothyroidism is that it can interfere with implantation and can lead to early miscarriages. While there is no consensus, most REs are trending toward adding Synthroid in those women whose TSH is considered "normal" but higher than 2.5 to optimize and hopefully improve the chances at a successful IVF outcome. 

One caveat....because the doses for Synthroid are in micrograms, and the FDA allows for a small variance in the amount of drug from brand to generic, getting a generic might mean a technically different dose than what you might be prescribed. My RE said BRAND ONLY since he only has me on 25mcg which is the smallest dose. IVF 2 didn't work for me, but I do feel better since being on it. My cycles have gotten a little longer (they had gotten really short for a while) and I have a bit more flow (they had gotten really scanty) since starting. 

Yes, mine said this too. She was very adamant about it being brand. Good news is it's a cheap medication, even brand.

BeeBee08

Great help, thanks ladies!  I have emailed my coordinator to find out what my TSH was last time.  For some reason, I keep going back to 1.8.  I seem to remember that's what it was, so we'll see what they say.

Thanks again!

luvboston

I have hypo but if I don't my re want TSH between 1 and 2 at all times

megs3084

I fell in the broad normal range and was hanging around 2.8. Dr kwakkim said I'm slightly hypo, wants me less than 2 to cycle and started synthroid. I'm on 50 MCG per day and my level is finally 0.97. Thanks for explaining bout the baby doesn't have a thyroid, it makes a lot of sense!

BeeBee08

I got my TSH back from this morning and i'm sitting at 2.8.  That's up from last time, so they prescribed 25mcg synthroid for me.  I know it's weird, but I'm happy to have it.  I feel like I just want every possible thing out there (which is ridiculous).  So, as of tomorrow, it will be added to my treatment plan.

Thanks for all the info!  I am glad I was well prepared for the discussion since my clinic usually looks for < 3.

jillychris

BeeBee08:

I got my TSH back from this morning and i'm sitting at 2.8.nbsp; That's up from last time, so they prescribed 25mcg synthroid for me.nbsp; I know it's weird, but I'm happy to have it.nbsp; I feel like I just want every possible thing out there which is ridiculous.nbsp; So, as of tomorrow, it will be added to my treatment plan.
Thanks for all the info!nbsp; I am glad I was well prepared for the discussion since my clinic usually looks for lt; 3.

Glad they started you on it! I had the opposite issue...my tsh was low, but my acu was always concerned even tjough my re wasn't. She said normal while ttc is a smaller window that the regular normal!