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Lemons

Thyroid Advice

Hello ladies

I just wanted to share some problems I have had in relation to my thyroid in the hope it helps others.

About three years ago I went to the doctor complaining of fatigue and heavy periods. I was concerned I had anaemia. My doctor dismissed my concerns and looked in the skin below my eye saying I was fine.

In May 2010 my partner and I decided it was time to try for a baby. First month trying we got a positive but it ended in a chemical pregnancy. I went back to the doctor and this time insisted on blodd tests. The doctor said that she may as well test for everything if she was taking blood.

My results came back with very low ferritin and a possible thyroid problem. I was given iron and retested 6 weeks later. I was then diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism and began taking thyroixine in August.

We then conceived in November and I believe it was my thyroid issue that was causing our initial problems.

Any ladies who are taking a while to conceive go and get your thyroid checked because it can take months to be diagnosed and then to get the right level of thyroxin.

Also take your thyroixine in the morning an hour or two before you eat (I take mine an hour before I get up). Do not take it with iron or calcium - take them about three hours later.

Good TSH levels for pregnancy are anything below 3 with FT4 15-24 (what a struggle I had to get answers). Don't be afraid to question the doctor if they say your levels are fine. I spoke to the obstetrician and have had my levels raised twice even though my own doctor said they were 'satisfactory' - err on the side of low TSH they say.

Good luck ladies

2 Replies • 13 years ago

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RockstarMomma1109

I also want to offer some advice/hope concerning thryoid issues.

When I was 11, I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid- aka hypothyroidism. Doctors at that point told my mother that when the time came for me to have kids, it may take treatments and drugs and things like that. Like the OP said, your thyroid levels do affect conception. So I grew up thinking that I was practically infertile and threw caution to the wind more than I should have.

In February 2009, I conceived my son naturally, with no medicines and no medical interventions. My thyroid levels were checked throughout the first trimester to be sure they stayed normal, and not once did I have to change doses. My son was born in November 2009, completely 100% healthy.

It CAN happen naturally. DON'T assume that you can't conceive naturally just because you have a thyroid condition or PCOS or anything like that. Doctors are human and they make mistakes or give us drugs we don't need.

Good luck everyone out there :)

13 years ago

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DMPage

AMEN! Thyroid function is crucial to MORE than just fertility and is crucial to mother's existence as well as fetal development.

I had my thyroid surgically removed in 2003. It took us a long time to get pregnant and have also suffered losses, even under the careful watch of a specialist (a very well respected endocrinologist). I had my levels checked monthly and my dosage of Synthroid altered several times throughout my pregnancies.

Thyroid function can affect the way your body metabolizes and uses CALCIUM (HELLO, huge!). Your heart function and many other crucial aspects of life and immune system are linked to Thyroid. I jokingly refer to it as the "Ruler of Space and Time" and I miss mine terribly. Your skin, hair, weight, sensitivity to cold/heat...you name it are greatly affected by this complicated gland! But most importantly to this site, FERTILITY is influenced by it. Auto-immune issues like hypo-thyroidism also include endometriosis (ai disease) and other aspects directly linked to infertility as well. It's a simple blood test gals, worth a shot! Thanks, OP for bringing this up.

DMP - TTC #3 after several chemical pregnancies. May we all have success! God Bless!

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