pregnancy & hyperthyroidism, is it possible?

[mizzmsvl]

Hi,
I have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism for about 4 years now, and have been on methamazole medication for about a year now. I have been trying to get pregnant for a year now, but no luck. My TSH level is at 2.2, in which my endocronologist said it's not good to get pregnant, but I'm ready to start a family. Will I ever be able to conceive even if I had hyperthyroid, or should I just give up hope on pregnancy? Are there other options for me? Please help. Thanks.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

It is very possible to have successful pregnancy w/ hyperthyroidism.  If one is trying to conceive, we use PTU through first trimester, then change to methimazole.  Goal is to keep t4 and t3 at upper end of normal.  TSH may be slightly low in this setting.  Would also consult with reproductive endocrine (OB specialist) to see if other influences on difficulty conceiving.

[hollandlop]

I have gestational hyperthyroidism, which means that it is caused by my pregnancy.

I never had thyroid problems before, but during my 10 weeks of pregnancy my thyroid became overactive. My TSH is only .08 right now. I am taking medication to lower it.

Did your doctor mention any other meds to take so your TSH is lowered to get pregnant?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

would consult w/ OB specialist.
Methimazole does not lower chance of pregnancy, thyroid dysfunction may lower it.  The reason behind PTU in early pregnancy is possible association of a birth defect associated w/ methimazole.

[mizzmsvl]

Is there any medication to increase my chances of pregnancy? Is there any medicine that will help balance my hormones and give me a higher chance for pregnancy? My doctors aside from the endocronologist that I see monthly is avoiding my questions about pregnancy because they just all agree that I cannot conceive yet because I am hyperthyroid, so they will not take action to help me seek other options for higher pregnancy rates. Please help if you can. Thanks.

[mizzmsvl]

Thank you for your response. I heard that PTU is used when pregnant while hyperthyroid, but my endocronologist will not give me PTU until I become pregnant. If I am desperately trying to conceive, is PTU a better option for me than methimazole? Can methimazole lower my chances of successfully trying to conceive? Should I seek an OB specialist to see if any other factors in my body are preventing me from conceiving if hyperthyroid cannot prevent me from pregnancy? I feel like my endocronologist just keeps pressuring me to get RAI and doesn't want to seek ways as to how I can conceive easier. Please give me your advice. Thanks a billion.