Confused...PLEASE HELP!

[stace8]

I am a 36 y/o female with very normal cycles and no infertility.  I got pregnant the first time with both of my children (I was 30 & 33 at time of conception).  

In Jan.09 I had my annual with OB/GYN who said my thyroid may be a little off...referred me to endo.  We decided that month to stop birth control and try for #3.  I stopped the pill in Feb. and we had a broken condom that month at the tail end of my cycle that resulted in a +pregnancy test.  However, my HcG was not rising, u/s determined there was no sack or embryo, so I had a D&C in March.  

That same month my thyroid doc started me on Synthroid (My levels were:  TSH=1.468, T4=10.2, T3=166).  In April my levels were TSH=1.090, T4=12.38, T3=164.  In May my levels were TSH=.358, T4=10.8, T3=154.  We started trying to conceive in June - no luck.  In July my levels were TSH=.147, T4=11.9, T3=124.  In July we tried to conceive and got a positive pregnancy test the day before expected cycle.  My HcG was 9 and two days later dropped to 3.  The next day I started a very heavy cycle.  

My OB/GYN said I had a delayed something...cannot recall, but that it was not a pregnancy.  Also, she said I may not be absorbing the Synthroid and not to stop taking it until I talk to Endo.  

Endo said I probably had conception without implantation and that my Synthroid needs to be increased (he said my T3 is still too low).  When asked why I am having trouble getting/staying pregnant after no hx of trouble, Endo says that things are different now with my Thyroid.  

I am CONFUSED.  I guess I convinced myself that the Synthroid was the cause of my fertility issues and if I stopped taking it, I would get pregnant just like the times before.  Do I continue on the Synthroid or stop taking it and hope it works?  

What do my levels need to be to achieve/sustain pregnancy???  

[DrGraceG]

P.S. Sorry, my answer got confusing a bit at one point. I should have made a space in between paragraphs.

To clarify:
I did get pregnant 2 years ago, and then I lost the baby do to stress at home.
My sweety (my man) was very sick and I cared more for him than myself.
When you have a thyroid condition you HAVE TO eat well, exercise and take good care of your self... no BUT's about it, under any circumstances can you neglect your self and the baby. We have to all realize, everything that effects you, effects your growing fetus/baby exactly as much.

You have to be in good overall health, beside the thyroid hormones raging around,
for your baby to flourish and be born healthy. Sorry for that. It's late and I am getting tired. Well, time to get some sleep.

Dr. Grace G

[DrGraceG]

Actually, Synthroid caused me to gain weight and loose a lot of hair, my levels were going down but it was also messing with my other hormones. I am now taking 300 mcg of Levoxyl and I am feeling much better. All doctors try to push synthroid but it has a LOT of side effects and most are not sure what they are, yet. I have heard many women on forums commenting on the adverse affects of synthroid. Please talk to your doctor to switch you to levoxyl and try getting pregnant abt 6 months after that. I have had a thyroid problem (at least became aware of it) since they found out at 7 yrs old. It was hyper-thyroidism. Then, when I had my younger son, it switched to hypo-thyroidism. In EU I took thyroideum all my life, not known in the USA, I felt healthy, it is not possible to get that here. But levoxyl is better (at least for me) and I do not have side effects as I did with synthroid. I got pregnant 2 years ago... Believe it or not, I went to my grandma for advice when I couldn't get pregnant with my first son. Knowing the effects thyroid diseases have on our fertility... she said after making love, to stay on my back and put my legs up, way up...IT WORKED! :)

I did it for both my sons and they are now grown, tall, healthy and very good looking men.

My older is a career marine, and younger just joined the army. I am a very proud mom. If it wasn't for my grandma, I would probably not have my beautiful sons now.
My doctors both MD and Endo told me to just be patient and keep on trying, HA!

Sometimes it's good to just listen to elderly family members and sheer nature... we just have to help it a little ;)

I am actually thinking of having a baby girl now... am I too old?
adore babies... my own, not someone elses, it's just not the same.
I love nurturing and being needed. I love spending time and teaching, loving and playing with my child... Maybe someone can be objective... Is it going to embarrass my two grown sons?

Well, I really hope this helped a little.
Sincerely,
               Dr. Grace G

[stace8]

Thank you for the support and advice.  I think you are both right...I will stay on the Synthroid.  I am dragging tonight and really feel it when I don't take it.  Hopefully, we will have baby #3, but if not, we are blessed.  Thank you.

[adgal]

I can't say I know anyting about thyroid levels either.  I would work this through with your Dr. as I doubt stopping medication is the right way to go.  I agree with journey, best to listen to your Endo and get levels to normal.

It sounds like you had a chemical pregnancy the last time around (fertilization happens, but no implantation). This is not necessarily due to your thyroid condition or the medication.  It just happens sometimes, and we are more likely to have situations like that over 35.  You are only 36 and have time.  I have no doubt you will achieve and sustain a healthy pregnancy in the future.  Good luck to you.

[JourneyJoJo]

I don't know what your thyroid levels should be, but I do know that they routinely check every woman at my fertility clinic for thyroid problems every month because it is so common and has an impact on fertility.  If you stop taking your Synthroid, it seems to me that it will make the problem worse and your chances of fertility will decline even further.  I'd listen to your Endo and get your levels back to normal.