Hypothyroidism and TTC

jiffy-pop · January 2011

My friend (who has the sperm antibody problem) was told she has hypothyroidism. What does this mean for someone who is TTC?

Mrs. Mo · January 2011

According to my endocrinologist, as long as I keep my TSH "in range" between 0.5 & 2.5 ( but ideally between 1 & 2) it shouldn't cause any issues.

HappyAardvark · January 2011

Hypothyroidism isn't necessarily something that will cause a couple to have issues TTC, as long as the thyroid hormone levels (TSH and Free T4) are within a reasonable range. Most regular doctors consider TSH levels under 4 to be "normal," but most RE's agree that the ideal range for someone TTC is between .5 and 2. If your levels are too high, it can cause issues with being able to conceive or carry a pregnancy for a sustained period.

This is just my opinion, but think the reason that many people associate hypothyroidism with trouble TTC is that many times it is found in women who are also diagnosed with PCOS, which has a much stronger link to IF issues, and is a condition that can be more difficult to get under and stay under control.

AlmostLoCo · January 2011

I was also told that the main issue is ability to maintain a pregnancy, not so much getting pregnant (except maybe in extreme cases). When you get pregnant your thyroid levels can get all wonky anyway, so it's good to get it under control when TTC.

The good thing is, this is an easy thing to manage. My initial results were borderline - 4.43 - so I was put on Synthroid and within a month was at .93. At the request of my RE, I'm now seeing an endocrinologist to try to maintain my levels in the 1-2 range. When (if?) I do get pregnant I'll have to get my TSH tested every 4-6 weeks.

heathercara · January 2011

It can absoluletly cause issues with sustaining a pregnancy. But it can also cause you to stop ovulating if you level is too off. But it's an easy fix with daily meds that have no side effects. You just have to be monitored as it can go back up and you will have to have your meds adjusted. This just happened to me last month. Best of luck to your friend. And I do not have PCOS, so they do not have to be related. I have MS, another immunity issue...and they can be linked.

goodgollie · January 2011

heathercara:
It can absoluletly cause issues with sustaining a pregnancy. But it can also cause you to stop ovulating if you level is too off. But it's an easy fix with daily meds that have no side effects. You just have to be monitored as it can go back up and you will have to have your meds adjusted. This just happened to me last month. Best of luck to your friend. And I do not have PCOS, so they do not have to be related. I have MS, another immunity issue...and they can be linked.

This. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after my cycles kept getting longer and longer after coming off bcp. Once my levels were normal my cycles were, too. I have also heard that high thyroid levels can cause m/c, however, my level was 10 when I was pg with DS (your levels tend to go up when you get pg) and he was fine.

angelkisses4me · February 2011

Yes it can cause issues plus baby relies on your thyroid through the first trimester so if it isn't maintain high chance of M/C. If you are like me Hashi's can attack pregnancy too. IUD removed Oct 4th month of TTC 5 cycles....no luck. Just got my levels checked I was at about a 6. Waiting for them to come back down. Totally frustrating and depressing.

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