Thyroid experts come in

Mrs.Ess · July 2014

*loss mentioned*

@Hollowvic‌s post got me thinking about the great thyroid debate.

I am very curious about the impact of thyroid issues on ttc... There seems to be a lot of controversy regarding what thyroid lab values are truly "normal", which labs are most important/ useful for monitoring improvements, and also what values are actually ideal for conception.

I have tried to do my own research as my current provider does not appear to have much knowledge on the subject (another reason I can't wait to see the new RE in a few weeks). They refused to check anything beyond a TSH despite my request, and told me my TSH was "normal". I pushed for the result which was 3.4. From what I have read this is actually a bit high, and the ideal range would be 1-2 for conception. I asked them to put me on levothyroxine and she said she didn't think I needed it but allowed me to try it and I've been on 25mcg for almost 30 days now.

At my next appointment I will be asking when they plan to check my levels again. Really just for the purpose of having the info for the new RE to determine what to do with me. Should I ask again for additional labs i.e. Free t3 and free t4? Antibodies? Or do you think it's best to just have the new RE draw new labs?

I would love to at least get my TSH down sooner rather than later in case that is one more thing causing me issues. I wonder if my thyroid had anything to do with my miscarriage as well. I know there's also a good chance we may be dealing with MFI so maybe this doesn't even matter...but I cannot stop myself from trying to control every problem that could be caused by my crappy body.

Any thyroid experts want to chime in?

Hollowvic · July 2014

*loss mentioned* Interesting about what levels are considered "normal". I gained weight all of a sudden about 4 years ago and because Hypothyroidism runs in my family I went to my doctor to get it checked. They told me it was normal at the time. I wasn't TTC yet so I didn't think much of it. Then I started TTC and in the past 7 months I've put on 10 more pounds. When the blood work came back from the RE they told my level was slightly high (2.5) and they want to see it under 2. She said a high level even slightly can throw off your hormones enough to prevent pregnancy but more often can cause a miscarriage. My periods were regular so I don't think it is the reason I'm not conceiving. That being said, the nurse also told me that different doctors have different opinions on what's high. My regular doctor could have thought 2.5 was ok but my RE said it's high. They started me on the generic which I didn't want bc I read it doesn't work for everyone. The RE told me they start patients with generic and change to the name brand (synthroid) if it doesn't work. Sure enough I needed the name brand. So now 2 months later I finally have it under 2. I don't know how 3.4 is normal, that's way higher than mine was. I'm no thyroid expert but have done a ton of searching on it.

Mrs.Ess · July 2014

Interesting about the generic not working sometimes... It's probably best to wait for the RE so I don't pay for all the labs twice

So is the TSH the only thing your REs focus on as far as when you're back to normal?

Mrs.Ess · July 2014

@Buttmonkey34‌ were you on the generic or were you truly on synthroid name brand? Curious.

aves0708 · July 2014

I also agree to wait until you are working with an RE for a re draw. They are going to test all of this anyway. I originally had my thyroid checked at my OB's office and it came back fine at 0.9. The RE's office said they always test it, so I ended up with a second test but this time it was 3.2( I think) and they told me that was high. These tests were about 3 months apart so because of the variation they tested a third time, this time the number was a normal1.5. With my numbers jumping around like that they wanted to test for antibodies, and that test came back positive so they put me on meds. I am on 25mcg of levothyroxine( the generic) which is working great for me. My clinic did also say that high thyroid levels do increase your risk of m/c. Good luck with your RE visit in a few weeks!

KristenG2011 · July 2014

**loss mentioned

I would wait as well. So your RE will have the most current results etc. Especially too if your other doctor is so aloof about the thyroid situation...sounds like my primary doctor.

I demanded to be switched to be seen by an endocrinologist for mine. My other doctor wasn't taking me seriously and I ended up m/c last year and I feel it was because my levels were too high. I was about 3.5. My endo has me on synthroid....levels are currently 1.5. He said he wants to keep my levels below 2 as well because as other people stated...by the time you figure out you are pregnant the baby is already relying on your thyroid etc so you need to be at a low level because it will increase and meds will then need to be adjusted.

Good luck with your RE!!

Mrs.Ess · July 2014

Thanks you guys. I agree. I hate thinking that if this had been caught before maybe it could have prevented my loss and I could still be pregnant and not dealing with all of this

. I know I can't even say that would have prevented what happened but I still think about it.

Thanks for your advice and experiences!

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