*Stacey*

brie&drew

Totally random question. I know that you've recently gone on thyroid medication and I have some questions. In conversation with my mom over the weekend she mentioned that thyroid issues run in our family on both sides. I had no idea so I've never mentioned it to my doctor. I know that I'll need to update her at my next appointment, but I'm debating about going in sooner rather than later to talk it over. If you don't mind my asking, what were some of the symptoms you had? I'm wondering if some of the things that are frustrating me lately could be related to a possible issue. Thanks!

PlumCallaLily

Looking back, I can track my symptoms to April of 2009 - right when I came off of birth control.

I was slowly gaining weight no matter how much or little exercise/dieting I did and I was CONSTANTLY and COMPLETELY exhausted.  It didn't matter if I got 5 hours or 10 hours of sleep, I always felt exhausted.  I chalked that up to being completely miserable in my job (depressed).

At the same time, my periods were absolutely irregular.  I attributed that to coming off of the pill even though I was like clockwork before and during the pill.

I went in to a general doctor for a physical to see what was wrong.  In 2006, I had a HORRIBLE case of mono that landed me completely bedridden for a week-and-a-half so I thought I might be coming down with that again (even though I lost weight when I had it in 06, not gain). 

Fast forward to April 2010 when I decided it was finally time to go to the OBGYN and talk to her about my irregular periods and not getting pregnant.  I also talked to her about the constant fatigue and exhaustion I had had for the last two years.

She ran a full panel of blood work and everything came back 100% normal except my TSH levels, which were "borderline hypo". She said since they were "borderline", there was nothing she could do to treat.  I didn't think anything of it since I didn't know it was directly linked to infertility.

Then, in May when we went to the RE, he took one look at my chart (noting that L's semen analysis was normal both times and my HSG was clear and I had a huge ovarian reserve, and I ovulated on meds, and my uterine lining was nice and thick, and I was in good shape) and wanted to retest my TSH levels again.

A normal level (according to the nurse who called me) is between 1-2.  Mine was a 5 (??or maybe 6??).  She said without a doubt I was hypo and needed to start medicine immediately.  She also said that my RE said that my OB should have retested me often (especially since we were desperately TTC) because levels can fluctuate between "borderline" and "high".

So, I started 50mcg of generic Synthroid about 3 weeks ago.  I can't tell a difference in my fatigue yet - I maybe have just a little more energy - so I'm guessing my dosage is not spot on yet.

The thing that makes me the MOST mad is that had my OBGYN re-tested my TSH levels months ago, I might be pregnant by now.  It is SOOOOOO dangerous to have thyroid problems while pregnant because it directly effects fetal development.  Additionally, I probably would NEVER have been able to get pregnant with my levels.  

The hypo diagnosis explains everything: my irregular periods, the change in my skin and hair, not getting pregnant, my unexplained weight gain, and my exhaustion. 

I am glad to finally have a reason for my infertility, but it still pisssses me off that my OBGYN didn't catch it.

I hope you don't have it.  I'll probably be on meds the rest of my life

 

 

brie&drew

Thank you! My two biggest concerns are the weight gain and the exhaustion. I almost want to go in just to rule it out as a possibility. Or if I find out that I do have something, then let's get going on some sort of treatment.