LEVOTHYROXINE to treat infertility?

[tet30]

Hi,
My doctor is suggesting I take levothyroxine as part of my infertility treatment. Has anyone here done that?

Other than infertility I am not experiencing any symptoms of hypothyroidism.
My TSH blood tests are also within the normal range (although on the slightly higher side of the range). A few years ago my TSH was slightly over the range but my free T4 was excellent.

I'm afraid if I start taking medication I will not only have to go through any side effects of the drug while I am taking it, but also that it will throw off my system in the long run and I will be stuck trying to restore balance by more and more medication.

Please advise if you have any experience with this.

Thanks!
Tet.

[Slaonness]

I started taking this prescription after 3 miscarriages and 4 yrs of trying sense my last pregnanacy with no success. I started taking this prescription in october and conceived in January! ! I am now 10 weeks along and going strong! The only thing that changed in gay time frame is i started taking this medication. I give %100 credit for my pregnancy to this. I havent experienced any negative side affects from the drug but i definitely feel so much better all around.. Even while being pregnant! I highly recomend treating a thyroid imbalance of any kind when dealing with fertility issues. If not with this drug, figure out with your dr what will work best for you. Good luck!

[Super_sally888]

Hello,

Ido agree that your results do not look concerning.

However, from my experience and reading for optimal fertility TSH should be 1 - 2.  FT4 should be mid-range - yours is at the lower end of the range.

I guess your fertility Dr. is covering all bases before starting treatment.

I would say that a small dose of thyroid hormone (as long as it is closely monitored) to be sure that your levels stay normal, may not hurt.

Discuss further with your Dr. oh his rationale.

[gimel]

Be aware that just because tests are within the so-called "normal" range does not mean they are optimum for you.  That is especially true for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.   If you will post those results and reference ranges, we can assess further.

[tet30]

Thanks again, gimel.
I haven't been on any thyroid medication before, so all FT4 tests were done without any medication.
I believe I did have all or most of these other tests done and except for vitamin D (which was slightly low and I am now taking supplements) - all were within normal range.
I also looked at the list of symptoms (thanks for that!) - I have none of those except for infertility and a skin condition which is not likely related (since I really have no other symptoms).
I will ask my doctor about the T3 tests you mentioned.
Tet.

[gimel]

No clear indication of hypothyroidism in those results so far.  As for symptoms, just to double check, would you please review this list of 26 typical hypo symptoms and see if there are any that you might have not thought about.  Also, was the second Free T4 test done after starting on the T4 med?

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html

I think it would help a lot if your would have the Free T3 (not total T3) test done.  Also, just to cover all angles, test for Reverse T3 also.  And don't forget the others I suggested, Vitamin A, D, B12 and ferritin.  I think these tests should clarify what potential benefit you might see from thyroid meds.  

[tet30]

Hi Gimel,
Thanks for the quick and elaborate response!
Here are some numbers from past tests:

TEST             NORMAL RANGE   MY RESULTS
TSH               0.35-5.5                 varied over past 8 years.
                                                      usually around 3, but range between
                                                      2 to 4.2.
                                                      One time it was 6.6. Then I got the T4.

FT4                 10.3-19.7                12.9 and 14.8 (two tests)

Thyroid Peroxidase AB  0-35         lower than 10

TG Ab              0-5 = negative        smaller than 3

None of these are out of the ordinary. I also consider myself to have pretty good metabolism, I eat quite a bit but don't have a weight problem, I am of average energy, and although lately I have had some skin problems, I am generally in good health (except for the infertility, whose cause has yet to be explained).
If there shouldn't be any log term effects for the mediccation, I may consider taking it temporarily, but I think I will push for the T3 test you mentioned before I go on any medication. That sounds like very good advice.

Thanks and will be happy to hear any additional thoughts/comments!

[gimel]

Hypothyroidism is definitely one of the possible causes for infertility.  We have had many members report success after getting their thyroid levels adequately adjusted.  

Please post the actual results and reference ranges for your thyroid related tests, as shown on the lab report.  I can tell you right now that you are missing the most important thyroid test which is for Free T3.  Free T3 is the thyroid hormone that largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.   You should always test for both Free T3 and Free T4 each time.    

TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables, that it is totally inadequate as the main diagnostic for thyroid status.  At best it is an indicator to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4.  Free T3 has been shown in scientific studies to correlate best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate.

So, what I'm saying is that the best way to determine hypothyroidism is from symptoms and next is to test for Free T3 and see if it is in the lower half of its range, which is frequently associated with being hypo.  Also, I would test for the possibility of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of diagnosed hypothyroidism.  Those tests are for the thyroid antibodies, TPO ab and TG ab.  Sometimes patients with Hashi's will first notice the TSH start to increase, even before symptoms are noticeable, and Free T3 and Free T4 levels are still within their reference ranges.

When you go back for more tests as suggested, you should also test for Vitamin A, D, B12 and ferritin.  I think all these suggested tests will clarify whether you are hypo or not and then you can have more confidence in taking the medication.  Taking the thyroid med is not going to "throw off your system in the long run".  Depending on the basic cause, if it should turn out to be only temporary, then stopping meds will return you to prior status.  If you are hypo and need to continue with the meds, then it becomes a matter of treating you clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.