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Trying to Get Pregnant
erinbhburke
member
TTC 6 months, Thyroid issues
erinbhburke
member
Hello,
This is a slightly complicated journey, so I'll start from the beginning. I have taken BC on and off since I was about 17 (I just turned 30). I was also diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 23 and had my thyroid totally removed. Since that time, my endocrinologist has kept me on a high dose of T4 and T3 to suppress my TSH levels (essentially, I was kept at "hyperthyroid" levels) to lower the likelihood of my cancer reoccurring. Once I started TTC they began lowering my dose. My T4 is now in the "normal" range (although on the high end of normal). I stopped taking the BC pill 6 months ago, when I started TTC. I got a positive LH surge two weeks later and have had a positive LH surge every month thereafter.
However, I did notice that my luteal phase was really short (like 9-10 days). I did some research and found out that Vitex (chasteberry) is was really good for lengthening the luteal phase, so I gave it a go. As promised, it lengthened my luteal phase from 9-10 days to 14 days--yahoo!!! However, I have been noticing the last few months that I've been spotting (brown with a little tissue) for 1-2 days, 5 days before my period. I thought it was implantation bleeding, but I guess not because I still dont get a positive PG test.
Additionally, I found out that despite lowering my T4 dose (I went from 175 mcg to 100 mcg incramentally), my TSH is still only at .04...and I've heard that it needs to be around 1.0.
I'm concerned about this pre-period spotting, and whether or not it is even possible for me to get pregnant with a TSH at .04, even though my T4 and T3 levels are now considered in the normal range. Also, this last month I either didn't ovulate at all, or I ovulated way earlier than normal. I normally get a positive LH surge around day 18-19. This month, I started testing on day 16, and never got a positive result (I tested for a week). Then I got some spotting, which then stopped, and it has now been 7 days and I'm still waiting for my period to start.
Help! What is going on?!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: TTC 6 months, Thyroid issues
Why are you going to see a fertility doctor? Give only been of bcp for 6 months. It can take a healthy couple up to a year to concieve.
1) The Vitex. Stop taking it. Did you LPs start going longer right after taking it (like the same cycle you started)? If so, then it wasn't the Vitex, it was your body naturally regulating itself. It can take 3-5 months for the Vitex to start taking effect. There's someone on here who starting taking Vitex to regulate her LP when she was right off of BCP and managed to really eff up her body.
2) A 9-10 day LP is a totally normal LP. It's on the shorter side of normal, but it's still fine. Your doc is right about that. Now, if you were having consistent 7 day LPs (someone else here was dealing with that) that's when you would want to go to a doctor about them. And not self-medicate.
3) If your TSH levels are concerning you, you should speak to your doc about that, which it looks like you're doing.
4)Spotting happens. And your body is not a machine. You might ovulate earlier or later on some cycles. Counting the first day of heavy flow as CD1, I probably spot 2-3 days before my period regularly. I've also gotten spotting 7 days before my period and spotting around ovulation. And spotting just because. If you start analyzing the toilet paper every time you sit down, it's going to be really frustrating.
5) A 'fertility doctor' (which, if you ever get to that point should be a RE and not an OB who's going to hand you a scrip for 6 months of Clomid and tell you to have fun) is probably not necessary to you at this point. It can take a healthy couple up to a year to get pregnant. Adding to that that your body is still adjusting to being off BC. I think seeing your doc about your thyroid is good, but if you keep putting unregulated 'natural' things in your body, you're probably doing more harm than good.
Me-31, H-27
**Loss 1-Cycle 7(June 2013) at 5w6d-CP**Loss 2-Cycle 11(October 2013) at 5w4d-CP**
**Loss 3-Cycle 14 (January-February 2014)-M/C dx 2/10, EP dx 2/24, MTX 2/25**
Beta Hell--hCG finally down to 0 - 6/20/14
SA normal. Genetic testing normal. Hormonal testing normal.
HSG 6/30/14 - found blocked left tube and 2 'bubbles' on uterine wall.
Hysteroscopy/Lap--8/4/14 - Tubes unblocked. Polyps removed from uterine wall. Septum removed.
9/30/14--Off the bench! Unmedicated TI through December 2014
BFP 12/14/14!!! Beta #1, 12/16: 990 Beta #2, 12/18: Over 2000! Beta #3, 12/22: over 8000!
U/S #1, 12/23: gestational sac, possible heartbeat
U/S #2, 12/30: HEARTBEAT! 128bpm, measuring right on at 7w EDD: 8/19/2015
U/S #3, 1/9: BPM in the 180s, IT'S HAPPENING!!!