So, I went to the Doctor and there's a problem...

lizzyp9112 · June 2014

I had an appointment to figure out some stomach issues I have been having, and they did a blood draw as a part of the testing. I need to get a colonoscopy to see what the hell my guts are up to, which I am sure will be great (/sarcasm), but the blood test came back that I have high levels of TSH (at 3.54) and Thyroid Peroxidase (13.9), meaning there are potentially issues with my thyroid. The nurse I spoke to said it was not excessively high, but high enough to be worth going to a specialist.

I am getting a referral to an endocrinologist so we can figure out what is going on and come up with an action plan.

So, anyone out there in TTGP land have thyroid problems? I know there are also links to fertility issues when the thyroid is being a douche, so I'm now wondering if that is part of why we have been TTC for almost 2 years without success.

Any advice, hilarious gifs, medical insight, or random thoughts? I really appreciate it-- I have been freaked out all week leading up to my appointment yesterday because of my stomach problems and now I have something else that is not normal to deal with...

PuppyLove84 · June 2014

I'm sorry! :-( Hopefully it is not a big issue, but maybe it is something can be easily treated and could make it easier to conceive? I'm not sure, but ((hugs)) and here's a little something for you....

Jags8 · June 2014

I have no experience but I just want to say I'm sorry!

Also, I read TSH as THC at first.

lizzyp9112 · June 2014

@Jags8, I would love some THC now. Furreal.

lizzyp9112 · June 2014

packerfan4life said:

My RE will treat anything above a TSH of 2.5. According to him, even though the lab abnormal is above 4, the idea TSH for TTC is 2-2.5. I think mine was like 2.7 or 2.8 (has been as high as 3.4 in the past) so he started me on a low dose of levothyroxine.

Ok, now THAT is exactly the kind of info I was trying to find online. Thank you so much, @packerfan4life! The nurse who gave me my results said that the TSH was at the "high end of normal" but I know there is something not quite right which needed to be figured out.

tlc35 · June 2014

If you have hypothyroid your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level with be high because the thyroid is not making enough hormone so your body is telling the thyroid to make more hormone. It can affect TTC and like @packerfan4life said, they tend to be more aggressive with treatment (synthetic thyroid hormone) if you are TTC.

lizzyp9112 · June 2014

NariaDreaming said:

My RE treats anyone with a TSH of over 2. Your TPO also might suggest that it's an autoimmune thyroid issue (hashimoto). I've felt worlds better since staring synthroid

Thanks, @NariaDreaming. I have been researching hypothyroidism and other forms of thyroid problems and realized I have a long list of other symptoms (dry skin, constantly cold, weight gain and lack of weight loss when working on consistently, etc) which could be due to this as well.

DecemberGirl1216 · June 2014

I will echo the above, my Dr would like to see under 2 for TTC and I had a TSH around 3. Have finally felt like someone took off my cement shoes since starting the medicine. Good luck!

sister13 · June 2014

Sorry that you got this news - hopefully the silver lining will be getting an effective treatment that will make you feel better. I don't have any good advice, but wanted to wish you the best while you wait for more information!

lizzyp9112 · June 2014

Thanks guys-- I feel SO much better knowing I am not crazy. I am tired all the time and feel like a terrible wife when the house is a mess and I am sleeping in until 10 (I work at 11). Sounds like once I get some meds going I'll feel better than normal

.

Thanks for the gif, @LindsRockies- it made me lol.

Cythe · June 2014

I have no advice or gifs (unless you want mobile cat pictures) but I just wanted to say sorry this happened! Maybe now you can get some answers. *hugs*

lizzyp9112 · June 2014

bibliothecary said:

Thyroids are dicks. I'm on an ever increasing dose. It's not terrible. Periodic blood tests, pills every morning before food. Could be worse.

Yeah, they really are. I am thankful it's probably something that is easy to treat, though.

You guys are awesome- I feel so much better about the thyroid issues after reading your responses. Now to figure out when to get the colonoscopy. Ugh.

lizzyp9112 · June 2014

Cythe said:

I have no advice or gifs (unless you want mobile cat pictures) but I just wanted to say sorry this happened! Maybe now you can get some answers. *hugs*

You have one of my fave siggy's this month, though! I effing love Legally Blonde. (Have you see Legally Blonde: The Musical? The whole thing- original Broadway cast- is on Youtube and I was watching it last week a lot. It's amazing.)

ollieinca · June 2014

Jags8 said:

I have no experience but I just want to say I'm sorry! Also, I read TSH as THC at first.

haha, so did I! I guess it's because I'm from california so that is where my brain goes.

Anyway, OP, I'm so sorry! Sending good vibes your way!

DenaMaree · June 2014

We sound like we are in very similar boats. My RE has me on 25mg of levothyroxine and put me on a non gluten diet for my stomach troubles. It's made a world of a difference!

epidemic · June 2014

An unusual number if folks I work with have gotten colonoscopies lately, including a friend who had post pregnancy difficulties. Their advice was to plan ahead with reading materials - the meds they give you to clean things out work pretty much instantly and you end up on the toilet for hours. Yes. Hours. Prep H wipes were helpful too. As for the thyroid, I don't know..but I hope it works out!

Cythe · June 2014

lizabethc said:

Cythe said:

I have no advice or gifs (unless you want mobile cat pictures) but I just wanted to say sorry this happened! Maybe now you can get some answers. *hugs*

You have one of my fave siggy's this month, though! I effing love Legally Blonde. (Have you see Legally Blonde: The Musical? The whole thing- original Broadway cast- is on Youtube and I was watching it last week a lot. It's amazing.)

Whaaaaaat? I have not! Must find...

4RingCircus · June 2014

I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully your Dr. will be able to get answers for you soon. ((Hugs))

sthrncharmer · June 2014

I'm so sorry lizabeth! I have no advice just hugs. I hope it gets taken care of.

merc5411 · June 2014

I don't have any advice, but I wanted to say I'm sorry you didn't get good news. Good luck with the endocrinologist and the colonoscopy.

myatala · June 2014

bibliothecary said:
Thyroids are dicks. I'm on an ever increasing dose. It's not terrible. Periodic blood tests, pills every morning before food. Could be worse.

This is me, too. I take Levothyroxine every morning at least 1hr before eating and take my vitamins on an opposite schedule (vitamin supplements can screw with the thyroid med absorption). I have a friend in the same boat who told me she had a lot of dosage adjustments during pregnancy but otherwise it's been easy to manage.

myatala · June 2014

Budders12 said:
Taking the meds, going for routine bloodwork and making good choices (avoiding trigger foods, getting adequate sleep, consistent exercise, etc.) are all I've had to do to stay on top of it.

What are your trigger foods?

7DeadlyZins · June 2014

I am sorry that you are going through this- but I am also hopeful that you will feel better once they start your treatment! Thinking of you.

lizzyp9112 · June 2014

@Budders12-- Thank you for all the info-- sounds like it's manageable (considering everything) and something I can deal with. I am even more thankful to be getting referred to an endocrinologist now, honestly. I'd bet you dollars to donuts (I really love that phrase) the thyroid issues are a big part of why we have not conceived yet.

At least we know now... and knowing is half the battle. Next step- see a specialist for more testing.

Oh andplusalso, what are your trigger foods? I see @myatala also asked that. I have not noticed anything in particular that gives me issues but with the stomach problems that is not a surprise.

myatala · June 2014

I have a few friends who get migraines and/or other issues from some artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame, so not very surprising.

I have to be careful about caffeine and acidic/spicy things whenever I'm under a lot of stress because stress is my main gastritis trigger and then the other things exacerbate the gastritis.

pippacricket · June 2014

I don't have any advice. Just wanted to drop in and say I'm so sorry and I hope you get answers soon.

BillyHorrible · June 2014

I have no advice, but I have 2 friends with thyroid issues. Both were able to get pregnant after this discovery (in fact, one has 3 kids, 2 who were conceived while on birth control)

themrsJRD · June 2014

I have hypothyroidism too, and I take levothyroxine every day. I've been taking it for... Almost 6 years. I think my tsh was over 4.5 at the time, now it stays under 2 and I feel good. Hopefully you'll have an easy treatment plan like that. Oh, I have a lot of GI issues too. I think foods high in saturated fat really upset my stomach! I've been eating clean for 4 months and it has really helped.

lizzyp9112 · June 2014

Ya'll are just wonderful. I was so stressed at the thought of thyroid problems, but now I realize it's pretty easy to manage and that there really is hope.

I'm gonna sleep a lot easier tonight, for sure. Thank you all!

KatzKiss · June 2014

lizabethc said:

NariaDreaming said:

My RE treats anyone with a TSH of over 2. Your TPO also might suggest that it's an autoimmune thyroid issue (hashimoto). I've felt worlds better since staring synthroid

Thanks, @NariaDreaming. I have been researching hypothyroidism and other forms of thyroid problems and realized I have a long list of other symptoms (dry skin, constantly cold, weight gain and lack of weight loss when working on consistently, etc) which could be due to this as well.

. Yes. You might end up feeling much better after this is treated! Mine was diagnosed because I was having bad panic attacks. Synthroid made all the difference.

cateyes543 · June 2014

I have no advice or experience but fx they figure it out soon! Good luck and hugs to you!

smg2302 · June 2014

No experience. Just wanted to offer some virtual hugs.

beepity · June 2014

I don't have experience with either issue but I'm glad it sounds like there is a solution. GL with the colonoscopy!

lebradford · June 2014

I hope you end up feeling a lot better once they get to the bottom of everything!

uclameghan · June 2014

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2009 at the ripe, old age of 24. At first I was really worried and freaked out, especially because we work to eat really healthily and run/lift/yoga a lot. Basically, it has just meant that I have to take Levothyroxine every day (first thing, right when I wake up). It's not a huge issue now, although I understand that if left untreated it can cause infertility issues. The biggest issue for me is that every 6 months - 1 year I seem to need a higher dose of the Levo (my TSH levels start to creep up again and I start to exhibit fatigue/dry skin/etc.). I just have to have routine checks with the blood work. If/when you do get pregnant, they will monitor your levels carefully as most pregnant women, regardless of diagnosis, need extra support from their thyroid to help grow the baby (or something like that - I'm a music teacher, not a scientist - this is how I understand what my FP and OB/GYN have explained to me). Really, I haven't thought it was a big deal the past 5 years. A little annoying, sure. I make sure to take my Levo in the am and then my PNV in the evening in order to not have them cancel the Levo out. I hope that helps.

justmepreggo2020 · June 2014

No advice but I'm going to leave this gif here for you

spiltmilkz · June 2014

@lizabethc

Just wanted to say sorry and hopefully you can figure out quickly what is going on! I don't have much advice, but I am going through something similar. Was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a couple months ago, still working with my dr. to figure out my next steps.

Hope you get answers soon!!

FJM85 · June 2014

Sorry for your bad news. I don't.have any advice, just wanted to say good luck!

evalyn24 · June 2014

It looks like you've received all the answers you needed, but I wanted to throw in my two cents!

I was diagnosed with hypo when I was 12 and while I was in college I didn't take my medicine so I lost my periods for a good 8 months. The week I started taking them again I started my cycle and it's always been "normal" since. I've had two losses and I'm hoping this is exactly what is wrong with me as well. I just had bloodwork done and should get a notice whether or not I need to change my dose soon.

Hugs and good luck to you! I hope we both are able to move on to 1st tri soon!