I was diagnosed w/ Hashimoto’s and Hypothroidism in April 2018. I was exhausted 24/7, even w/ adequate sleep, had brain fog, weight gain, some increased hair loss, etc. Started Levothyroxine and felt better pretty immediately.
The following month I same my gyno and had my nexplanon removed and we officially started trying in May 2018.
I had a miscarriage in late-October that was pretty devastating (my due date was my birthday — that’s going to be a rough day this year).
Over the last few weeks, I started feeling some of the symptoms that led to my hypothyroidism diagnosis again and went to the doctor. They ran labs and called and said “your TSH levels are normal but since you’ve having some symptoms we’ll raise your dosage to see how that goes.”
I was so frustrated after that call because what the heck is “normal” what does that even mean. Give me the number. So I called them back and they said their range for normal TSH levels (this will vary by doctor and lab) was .4 to 4.1 and I was at 3.93.
Can we all agree that being at the highest range of “normal” is not in fact normal. And especially for a woman sitting there desperately trying to get (and sustain) a pregnancy. An ideal TSH range for getting and staying pregnant is 1 - 2.
I wanted to cry and scream. Anybody else just completely exhausted with having to learn as much as possible on their own, and then have to fight SO hard to get medical professionals to take them seriously?
***Also, if you’re struggling with getting pregnant and you’ve never had your doc check your thyroid levels — ask them to, and don’t let no be an answer. This can be done by your primary doc/PA/NP or your OBGYN. It’s literally just another check on their lab request software and is so important. A healthy cycle is dependent on a healthy thyroid, and if you get pregnant with thyroid issues, the MC rate is higher in the first 12 weeks AND from the 2nd trimester on.
***And if you are diagnosed with any thyroid issue at all, you need to test test test during the later part of your TWW to confirm pregnancy asap. Once confirmed via a positive home test, get in to see the doc your managing your thyroid levels with ASAP. Your medicine will need adjusting for the health of your baby. I wish I had known this when I got pregnant (because you know how those “what if’s” work).
The following month I same my gyno and had my nexplanon removed and we officially started trying in May 2018.
I had a miscarriage in late-October that was pretty devastating (my due date was my birthday — that’s going to be a rough day this year).
Over the last few weeks, I started feeling some of the symptoms that led to my hypothyroidism diagnosis again and went to the doctor. They ran labs and called and said “your TSH levels are normal but since you’ve having some symptoms we’ll raise your dosage to see how that goes.”
I was so frustrated after that call because what the heck is “normal” what does that even mean. Give me the number. So I called them back and they said their range for normal TSH levels (this will vary by doctor and lab) was .4 to 4.1 and I was at 3.93.
Can we all agree that being at the highest range of “normal” is not in fact normal. And especially for a woman sitting there desperately trying to get (and sustain) a pregnancy. An ideal TSH range for getting and staying pregnant is 1 - 2.
I wanted to cry and scream. Anybody else just completely exhausted with having to learn as much as possible on their own, and then have to fight SO hard to get medical professionals to take them seriously?
***Also, if you’re struggling with getting pregnant and you’ve never had your doc check your thyroid levels — ask them to, and don’t let no be an answer. This can be done by your primary doc/PA/NP or your OBGYN. It’s literally just another check on their lab request software and is so important. A healthy cycle is dependent on a healthy thyroid, and if you get pregnant with thyroid issues, the MC rate is higher in the first 12 weeks AND from the 2nd trimester on.
***And if you are diagnosed with any thyroid issue at all, you need to test test test during the later part of your TWW to confirm pregnancy asap. Once confirmed via a positive home test, get in to see the doc your managing your thyroid levels with ASAP. Your medicine will need adjusting for the health of your baby. I wish I had known this when I got pregnant (because you know how those “what if’s” work).
Maddening, to say the least. I would be due this month with the first baby I MC had my OB provided a basic level of care. 