"Unexplained Infertility" and Synthroid

[mocha44]

Hey everyone.  I am 37 and have been TTC for 6 years and have yet to get pregnant. I've done timed intercourse, IUI (3 times) and have been trying to do IVF but I am a low responder to the drugs and keep getting cancelled.  I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 6 years ago my levels are now normal (TSH around 1.5).  I can't help but wonder if me fertility problems are still somehow related to my thyroid and perhaps taking Synthroid.  I have never fully felt back to normal since starting Synthroid.  Fatigue, hair loss, wight gain, swelling/puffiness.  I am wondering if anyone has had similar problems and had any success adding T3 or switching to Armour Thyroid? 

[toothfairy2be]

Welcome Mocha! Sorry you haven't gotten any responses. Admittedly, I know little about hypothyroidism but I do have an interesting resource to refer you to. http://www.1-thyroid.com/dosage.htm It was just recommended to me for infertility by my NaPro doctor and when I was browsing today I saw it is recommended with medicated women as well. The reason your body may not be responding well to the Synthroid if your body is deficient in iodine.

Good Luck!

[2cutiestolove]

Hi,

I second that a deficiency in iodine can affect thyroid issues. I've never had any issues (my infertility issues are unexplained:( but my sister does suffer from hypothyroidism and my own Naturopathic Doctor talked about her talking Dessicated Thyroid and iodine. GL!

[Glamrgrl74]

Hi Mocha44,

I am in your same situation. I am 38 and have been trying to have a baby for almost 6 years, no luck thus far. I have been on .88 mcg of Synthroid since January 2010, of course my TSH and T4 labs look great and are considered normal, T4 is 1.4 and TSH is 1.22. I feel that I still have an underlying thyroid problem that is hindering me from becoming pregnant. I have spoke to my Endo many times about Armour Thyroid, he is not into it at all, and he has never given me any other blood tests besides TSH and T4. After many negative pregnancy tests, I decided to see a RE to discuss infertilty. I will say that I ovulate every month right on time( I use OPK's), periods are normal and I chart my BBT, everything is perfect!!! For some reason, I just cant get pregnant! My husband and I had all of the neccessary diagnostic testing done at the fertilty clinic and we have a clean bill of health. The only thing the Dr. told me was that I had an elevated FSH which was a 9 and that shows him a decrease in ovarian reserve. This did not make me panic at all, tons of women with these same results have gotten pregnant on their own! The RE started to really push IUI and IVF, he said that is the only way I will ever have a baby. I just wasnt feeling it in my gut or my heart! That was back in Dec, I am not pregnant yet and I have not given up. I spoke with someone recently who said that my thyroid, which is hypo is the only thing in my way! Everytime I call the fertilty clinic to discuss having more blood work done on my thyroid, all they ask is if I want to have a consultation to discuss IUI and IVF? That makes me feel like they only care about the revenue and not the patient. I started to do a ton of research about how the thyroid and being hypo can hinder pregnancy, it all comes down to either just being on a T4 synthetic medicine or an iodine deficiency. I have found a new Dr that I will see this month, I am going to ask him about Armour Thyroid, a natural medicine that is T3 and T4, this could make all the difference! I know I will have to undergo a ton of new thyroid blood tests and thats fine because I have never had them. I am so curious to see what is really going on??? I will say that I am dissapointed in the RE Dr., I was hoping that he would want to figure out was could really be wrong with me before he pushed his treatments. After further research, I have found out that if the thyroid disease really isnt under control, IUI and IVF might not work... Thus causing more heartache and huge out of pocket expenses.. Unless you have fabulous insurance!!! I have noticed that the 2+ years I have been on Synthroid, I am just not the person I used to be! I dont even look like myself, my face is puffy, I have gain a little bit of weight.. Im moody, no sex drive, etc. Sorry to ramble, but you are the first blog that I have seen that is similar to mine. I say, if you can switch to Armour or any natural medicine that is T3 and T4, do it! I am so looking forward to the changes ahead, all I can do is stay positive and keep doing my research!!! Please keep me posted if you switch to Armour, I would love to hear how you feel and if you get pregnant!!! Take care,