Thyroid

[snowbee]

I have high thyroid antibodies. You are correct, they don't routinely screen for them as there is currently nothing they can do about it. I was tested because they were doing some research on recurrent miscarriage and the link between that and the antibodies (but only in ladies with normal thyroid function). So I have the normal function and high antibodies and I signed to the trial. I do not know if I got the medication (and it is levithyroxine, so is that what you are already taking for your thyroid issue?) but looking at my blood test results since starting the trial I think I have got it and not the placebo.

I'm now nearly 35 weeks pregnant and still on the trial, whether it has helped or not I don't know but hopefully that gives you some hope. I'm not gluten free either btw, I eat low gi/high fat/whole dairy generally to help my pcos.

I assume you know the optimal thyroid levels for conception and pregnancy are under 2 and that your medication is keeping it under that level.

 

[Oneday x]

Thanks Snowbee, yes I am taking levothyroxide to keep my levels under 2 so that should all be ok, it's just the antibodies I am worried about. Can I ask what the trial involves that you are on?
Massive congratulations on your pregnancy, I'm so excited for you!! This also has given me some hope so thank you and I wish you all the best xx

 

[snowbee]

Basically they want to know if the high antibodies can be 'treated' with the levothyroxine, so they need people who aren't already taking it but have the high antibodies to see if it does make any difference. They are looking into links between the high antibody level and miscarriage, difficulty conceiving etc.

So all they are doing to me is I either have the trial medication or the placebo and then I get blood tests to monitor thyroid function and in those ladies who get pregnant while on the trial they are then monitoring the pregnancy (so they get copies of my notes) to check there is no adverse effect. It is called the TABLET trial if you want to google it and read up on it.

It is a blind trial so I don't know which I have, but I can find out when the trial is finished (which I think will be about another 9 months) but I think I have the levothyroxine and my thyroid level has fallen since being on the trial.

 

[Clementine]

I have had an underactive thyroid since my early 20's I also have Thyroid Antibodies, my Endocrinologist told me there is nothing I can take to reduce or negate the antibodies. Whilst I was TTC he kept my TSH between 1 and 2, he also checked my bloods TSH, Free T3 , Free T4, every 3months, the consultant believed that if your thyroid is managed properly your fertility should not be affected, though some studies I read online have shown increased MMC rate associated with thyroid Antibodies & a TSH over 2.5 (the Antibodies can cross through to the placenta) but in my case my age was against me as I was 40 when I started TTC, although my fertility bloods FSH, LH, AMH, Oestradiol and Progesterone were are all excellent for my age, I think my egg quality was the issue as I have lost 4 babies between 6 weeks and 12 weeks. I am now 45 and we have stopped TTC however the thyroid Antibodies also attack hair follicles so my hair is thinning which is stressing me out, so I'd love to find a way of reducing their effect.
Also I would recommend getting your B12, Vitamin D, Magnesium and Folate levels checked as these can also have an effect on fertility and sometimes an underactive thyroid can cause reduced absorption of Vitamins in your gut so you may need to get B12 injections or take Vitamin supplements. Lots of luck for your TTC journey 1000's of women take Eltroxin for underactive thyroids and have successful pregnancies so don't worry too much about it x

 

[Oneday x]

Thanks Snowbee, I've looked at the TABLET trial, it looks like they finished registering people in January but it's good to see that they are investigating this potential link. I didnt realise you could have high antibodies when you have a normal thyroid function, and it does make me wonder how many people have the antibodies without even knowing about it since they don't routinely screen for them.

Clementine I am so sorry to hear about your 4 losses, I can't even begin to imagine what you have been through.
Hopefully we can't find a way to reduce the effect these antibodies have, you must be so stressed and you have been through enough already.

I am taking lots of vitamin supplements u clouding all of those you mentioned except for magnesium, is this an important one? I worry about taking too many different things! X