Fluctuating TSH, Infertility and Anxiety

[missymissy74]

Hello!  I have been dealing with infertility and anxiety for several years. Recently, I looked at my labwork over the last few years, and found the TSH was falling over three years, so I asked doc to retest. It came back as .012 with normal t3 and t4.  Doc said retest and it came back normal (I don't know the number yet; am waiting for the report).  She says now I should skip the ultrasound of the thyroid and going to the endocrinologist.  I am hesitant to skip these b/c there is no explanation for the low TSH.  And I have symptoms that seem relevant, if not to thyroid, then perhaps to pituitary?  Any thoughts, recommendations. I don't want to be sick, but it sure was nice for those two weeks when I thought there was finally an explanation for what I've been going through, which has been extremely difficult for me.  Thanks in advance for any thoughts and ideas. -M

[TamraW]

I have never heard of a reproductive endo, not that there aren't any. I am not having any more children, so I never looked for one.

I wouldn't worry about your low TSH if you feel okay. Are you jittery, diarrhea, anxious, trouble sleeping, heart palps???

I do believe your FT3/FT4 are within normal ranges, but I don't see any ranges posted. Each lab is different.

Just to be sure, it is a good idea to follow up with your endo.

Thyroid values between one and two? Are you talking about TSH? IMHO, a good endo won't fuss over the TSH without primarily considering the FT3/FT4 levels. Some of us hypothyroids on the forum don't feel well unless our TSH is below one.

I wish you the best in getting pregnant! I had a hard time getting pregnant, until my friend told me that she'd gotten pregnant by getting sick. When she came down with a cold, she came over and I drank out of her glass. (Desperate gals do desperate things!) Anyway, I did get pregnant that week! Hubby and I had been trying for two years.

Not that I advise getting sick right now with the Swine Flu floating about.

:) Tamra

[missymissy74]

two more quick bits of info:

1.  all my fertility work-up was normal in the past, though fertility acupuncturist has to do a lot to get my hormones in the right balance

2.  my first labs were drawn after fasting at 9am while the second, normal labs were done in the afternoon after a relaxing acupuncture treatment.

[missymissy74]

hi, thanks!  the first lab values were as follows:

tsh: 0.012
free t4: 1.38
free t3: 3.5.  

i don't know the new lab amounts yet - my doc just emailed and said they were normal. she also said she had the lab run an antibodies test and that was normal. i can post the specifics when i get the actual report in the mail.  

i will follow up with an endo, defininitely and have an appointment set for two weeks out (also have an ultrasound schedule b/c originally my doc thought she felt a very small nodule on the thyroid). do you have any thoughts on seeing a reproductive endo?  i hear they try to get thyroid values to between 1 and 2, whereas perhaps other endos are happy if the values are within the designated "normal" range.

thanks again for any input.

[TamraW]

Please post your T3 and T4 lab results and ranges. You, as the patient, have the right to get those labs. Just call the nurse. I was told my bloodwork was 'normal', but it really depends on the lab. Each lab uses different values.

I do think you should follow up with an endo, preferably one who specializes in thyroid - not diabetes.

:) Tamra