Infertility and Thyroid Issues?

[MissLisa82]

Have any of you had problems of infertility and found out it was an issue with your Thyroid?  I am not ovulating...based on my long menstrual cycles and OPK showing no ovulation.  I got my blood tests run and found out my TSH was 4.12, which unfortunately is considered normal by my doctor even though it is considered high based on new ranges set by the AACE.  I want my Dr. to consider my Thyroid as a possible cause for the infertility problems but having trouble doing that.  

Any advice would be appreciated.

[AUNTDD]

I found out I am hypo as well, last Sept. I started taking synthroid. Since taking it my cycles have been completely normal and I have been ovulating. Good luck!

[MissLisa82]

Thank you both so much for your input, that helps a lot and actually confirms my suspicions.  I am going back to the Dr. on Wednesday and am trying to get him to test my FT3, FT4, and antibodies to confirm that I am Hypothyroid.  

Kris71 how were you able to get your Dr. to give you medication with your TSH in the normal range?  Were there a high anitbodies count?  I think I should be on meds because I feel like crap, always tired, depressed, headaches, and so on... but the Dr. thinks my Thyroid is fine.  Actually just thinks I am depressed and should be on anti-depressants but I won't take them since I am TTC and I think it is a misdiagnosis anyway.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

I am hypothyroid and it had to be treated for me to have a successful pregnancy.  

TSH alone is not enough for testing.  Target TSH during pregnancy should be 1 - 2 so Ms. Lisa, thryoid meds could be warranted in your case.

To properly assess thyroid function, antibodies should be tested (to see if the thyroid is under attack) - though there can be loss of thyroid function, even if there are no antibodies.

In addition, FT3 and FT4 (the active thyroid hormones) should be tested.  To optimise fertility, FT3 adn FT4 should be in the middle to upper 1/3 of the reference range.

If they are tested and show at the low end of the range they may be nromal.

Kris, your doctor needs to test FT3 and FT4.  In some people who have been on thyroid meds for a while TSH stops reflecting the thyroid function.  In my case my TSH is always very low.  My doctor now treats me based on FT3 and FT4 levels.  He says that having FT4 (particularly) towards the top of the reference range is important for healthy pregnancy in people with thyroid conditions.

Hope this helps.

[kris71]

I also have a thyroid problem but i have hashimoto's disease which is causing a low thyroid. My TSH when diagnosed was at a 2.19 but i was still put on medication because i was feeling so awful. Also - this never affected my menstrual cycle or ovulation. My TSH is now very low at 0.14 and my dr wants me to ease off the medication but i feel good now so i am scared to  lower my dose .Also, I was asking my dr about this possibly being the cause of my infertility and he said my TSH was not high enough to cause that. Since i had an autoimmune disease, i asked him if that could be the issue - the antibodies? he said i would still be getting pregnant but i could be miscarrying... so according to my RE - this is not my issue but you are saying you are not ovulating so this could definitely be the cause. If your dr has not put you on medication - you should consult another dr. How do you feel? are you very tired all the time? even tho the TSH norm is 0-5. Most drs say 0-3 is a better # to go by and you are above a 3.