High TSH and trying to conceive

[kimmyd]

Hello, I am new to this site. I am a 34-year-old female who was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid in June of this year with a TSH level of 10.33. It was a relief to know that there was a reason I had been depressed and gaining weight. I was put on .025 mg of Synthroid and when tested again a month later, TSH levels were even higher, at 15. So the dosage got bumped up to .050, then .075 when TSH was 18 in August. Finally in September the Synthroid was bumped to .01 (100 mcg).

I have been feeling a lot better and have had some success at losing weight by exercising and eating a healthy diet. I am have also been trying to get pregnant since April and wonder if my high TSH levels are somehow preventing this from happening. Although my period is 5 days overdue, I have twice tested negative for pregnancy. Should I be worried about my chances of conceiving because of my underactive thyroid, and if so, what can I do about it?

[pgumber]

A related discussion, thyroid 10 was started.

[Andrea7878]

Today i was reading around here and noticed that this is for comments only, im sorry that i asked you a question. just wonted to appligize.

[Andrea7878]

do you have high thryrod? im trying to find someone im my sons particlar problem and can't. I just got a call today that his thyrods is high and needs meddican. see he's been on chemo all his life and now they say its effected his tyrod and now its high. he's 4 been stuck at 29lb for a good year. well untill he's last apt wich was 2 weeks ago and finlay at 31. what is high thryods. what dose it do to him. could you help me.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Hypothyroidism can cause infertility - once the TSH is normalized (0.5-2.0) then if there is no conception after 6 months - re-investigate other causes of infertility as well.  If your thyroid antibodies are positive (and this is likely given your history) - this can attribute to infertility as well and underscores the importance of keeping the TSH around 1.

Regarding dose -- the synthroid dose was increased a little slowly presuming you are an otherwise health 34 yo female -- the average full replacent dose is about 0.7mcg/pound (ideal body weight - roughly) - when you become pregnant the dose will likely need to be increased by about 25% so close follow-up is important.