Hello bleeps!
I just wanted to write a quick post about my blood results that I took about 2 weeks ago. I finally emailed the fertility clinic to ask about them (and other things, that poor women is getting a lot of emails from me. She must be saint. I think she is).
In any case, in her words:
Please find attached the results of your blood tests. I am not sure if you already received a script for your thyroid? Please let me know. The antiphosholipid antibodies screen came back positive – this means that at some stage your immune system felt threatened (either because of a severe illness or shock like a highjacking?) and made these antibodies to protect the immune system. This is not a bad thing at all and we also cannot take away these antibodies but when you are pregnant you will need some medication to prevent them rejecting a pregnancy. This means that if you are 1 day late you must always do a pregnancy test so that we can start the medication as soon as possible.
So after I got that email yesterday, it was a bit of a blur. I had to go home to fetch the maid (oh yes cherry on the cake, she has just gotten pregnant, at 41! Going on about the joys of pregnancy..) and drop her off, then fetch my hubby, drop him off at the house and then get to this course “Dealing With Parents” at the church. (Very useful course by the way. For a teacher and a play therapist she gave us lots of tips).
Anyway when I got home I emailed my mom (she is a doctor, even though she is not a fertility specialist, but she does work at Hospice and with breastfeeding – haha she helps people at the beginning and end of their lives). And I get this back now:
My opinion is not that of an expert (a pathologist, endocrinologist or fertility expert) by any means. I have looked this up in my reputable refs. And I may only be able to contribute by seeing this in a greater, more general perspective. It looks like you might be very very slightly hypothyroid. That should probably only be diagnosed if the TSH is still raised in 3 months time. A number like that is not sufficient to treat by itself. I think this clinic is keen to give you thyroid on the off-chance that it will help you get pregnant. Maybe it’s worth a try? It tends to be a life-sentence once it’s started though, and is probably not actually necessary.
The immunoglobulins tests is really only useful for a case where there is foetal loss – miscarriages or stillbirths. I don’t think it affects actual conception. As Hanlie says, you wd be treated as soon after conception as possible to prevent loss.
My FSH is 9.3 (I think that’s good)
Insulin fasting 5.8 (Ref 0.2 -9.4) (so that’s good)
TSH 4.67 (Ref 0.27 – 4.2) so it is just over (that’s the thyroid)
“Subclinical/early hypothyroidism.
Determination of FT4, anti –TPO antibodies and follow up TSH after 2-3 months are recommended.
Thyroid replacement can be considered if anti-TPO antibodies are positive and follow up TSH is still increased, in the presence of other positive CVD risk factors (e.g. LDL –chol, HT or DM) or clinical symptoms or hypothyroidism. Otherwise, annual TSH determination is recommended.”
Ok if you understood all that medical jargon, well done. And tell me what the heck.
The thing is this: if taking thyroid meds will help me get pregnant, I’ll totally take them. And then maybe afterwards keep checking, hope I don’t have to still take them for life…
I’m not going to write out the rest of the stuff. I don’t understand it. It just says “high” and “positive” on certain things, that I am assuming is about the antibodies.
Now. Getting back to that.
Seriously. I haven’t had any huge traumas. I have not been hijacked.
I do have a stressful job and I am on the go the whole time. I even work on weekends (worksheets, marking etc).
Maybe there is something blocked out in the dark recesses of my mind that I have blacked out that has caused this to happen. Maybe I should go to a hypnotist. (By the way I have tried that – the first time she really relaxed me, the second time not at all).
In any case, what is done is done. Like Hanlie says, “we cannot take away these antibodies”. They are just stuck there. Have to just medicate them, I guess.
I am so looking forward to the end of term. Two weeks to go. I just want some time to myself. To do my fertility yoga dvd. To just read a book and relax. And get off this treadmill.
We have an art evening coming up and I have literally been slaving away, in between trying to get the reports done.
Just breathe…
I will get through this.
Oh and if there are any ICLW people left out there, I’d love your opinion!! Or anyone who has had similar situations.
Shoe what a mouth full! It is probably going to be best to have a one on one with your FS about this, before taking the meds. I have to admit that I do not know much of the thyroid and pregnancy, but it is hectic that if you start taking something now in order to fall pregnant it might become a life sentence so to speak. Would Intralipid’s help with the antibodies?
All the best, I hope there is a solution to this!
Hi from ICLW!
I know that being even slightly hypothyroid can have an effect on your pregnancy. It also can cause: weight gain, hair loss, exhaustion, broken nails, and poor circulation. I am on synthroid and my doctor said that he won’t let patients try to get knocked up until their thyroids are balanced…so it’s worth a shot! 🙂
Thanks Lindi, I’d like to know more about what the intralipids do…
And thanks Rachel, I think I agree with you.
Visiting (late) from ICLW. Do you know if they tested for activated natural killer cells? I see Dr. Sher in vegas and he has a great blog that talks alot about immunologic implantation disfunction. He told me that any thyroid condition makes you much more likely to have an immunologic component to your IF.
My thyroid was the first thing that was treated in between my failed cycles, and I’ve heard so much of what you wrote up there as well. My advice? Do you research, get your second opinions, and then follow your gut… Hopefully you’ll find the answer you need!
thanks, SIF!
I don’t know much about this stuff but I hope it will all be good in the end for you. And enjoy your break from school!
I know TONS about this. I researched the hell out of blood results and effects on pregnancy or causes for miscarriage.
The long and short of it from my POV: get those hypothyroid meds now. The expert at McGill on infertility in Canada, Dr. Seang Lin Tan (our RE), tested me and my result was just above yours. He said (and I quote), “You’re hypothyroid. You need a TSH of 2.5 or less to get pregnant and stay pregnant. When your TSH is less than 2.5, I’ll treat you.”
The reference level for normal TSH levels has been significantly reduced in recent years. Now, anything over 3.0 is hypothyroid here in North America, however, many normal ranges still don’t reflect that when you get your blood work back. Only the REs will tell you the details; even my family doctor had to be convinced and I showed her the research. She prescribed the meds.
I started taking hypothyroid medication (synthroid) and after 5-6 months,we checked my TSH again: this time, it was well within range. We did our IVF and we got very lucky. As an added bonus, I lost a bunch of weight, I have more energy and yes, while I need to take the meds every day, it’s worth it to feel like myself again.
By all means, get back to me if you have questions. I found you through Promptly and I hope to be able to continue to follow your story! All the best from Canada’s capital!
More information for you…
This website discusses hormone levels and effects on infertility: http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html
The FSH level that you have is listed as “fair.” Here’s what they say about FSH levels (with testing done on day 3 of your cycle):
FSH is often used as a gauge of ovarian reserve. In general, under 6 is excellent, 6-9 is good, 9-10 fair, 10-13 diminished reserve, 13+ very hard to stimulate. In PCOS testing, the LH:FSH ratio may be used in the diagnosis. The ratio is usually close to 1:1, but if the LH is higher, it is one possible indication of PCOS.
I had a combination of PCOS that was being undertreated (normal treatment is 3x 500 mg of metformin per day) and hypothyroidism (now treated with synthroid). It was well worth the effort; our daughter will be 2 years old later this month.
It may be something you wish to discuss with your doctor and you never know, if the levels can be modified, it certainly can’t hurt to try. Wishing you lots of luck!
Thanks Gil for that really useful information.
By the way Lindsey I did test negative for autoimmune antibodies, so that at least is good.