Friday, November 26, 2010

Thyroid WTF and then some


I had my endocrinologist appointment this past Wednesday and she basically told me my TSH was perfect. Nevertheless, she ordered bloodwork to be sent out for a full screen. I felt a bit neurotic when I spoke to her. She asked if I was referred to her by my RE and I said no, that I was here based on the fact my brother has Graves disease (hyper) and on an anecdote about TSH and fertility. I'll get the results in a week or so. I'll post when I know more.

On a side note, I go in next Thursday for BW and US to begin IVF. To tell you the truth, I am a bit scared. I'm having second thoughts and I am afraid to actually write/say it. A part of me likes being childless. I can do what I want when I want, blah blah blah. I am also a bit terrified of having multiples. I know that is silly. When I actually analyze these feelings, I come to the conclusion that I just have enjoyed my life. I'm 35, turning 36 next week. I've got it good right now. DH and I are great partners. Will we be great parents and partners?

Of course I want to have a family, and yes, I want to be a parent. Am I the only IF pre-IVFer with cold feet?

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Thyroid WTFWTF part 3

Since I am such a good patient to myself, I went ahead and called to ask for copies of the blood work from my regular OB and the RE so I can give those to the endocrinologist I am seeing next Wednesday. However, when I picked up the lab tests from the RE, the results were NOT 2.3 for tsh but were 1.71. So, everyone together now, WTF?

No, I didn't misunderstand the nurse when she called yesterday and told me 2.3. I wrote as she talked. 2.3 is not 1.71.

Also, I got the result of the prolactin test and it is 14.6.

So who knows what's what. I know I should call and ask WTF, but I am seriously over it. I have spent a good deal of time thinking about this whole situation. I'm just going to proceed with the endocrinologist appointment next week and hopefully someone can tell me WTF.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Thyroid WTF part 2

My TSH today came back at 2.3, so the RE says it's fine. I don't know what to think. I made an appointment to see an endocrinologist next week on Wednesday. Fellow blogger and success story, Kari, gave me some advice that I think I am going to take. She said to go with my gut, and like her, I plan to have someone monitor my thyroid on a regular basis.

Official IVF schedule:

BC pills: today through November 30
CD2 bloodwork and US, and start injections: December 2

Yippee!

I am not really looking forward to all the shots, but at least those are not going to be as difficult as the progesterone shots which are in the muscle with long needles! Yikes! Those shots begin after transfer. Oh lordy. I am going to be bruised!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Thyroid WTF?


I should know better...

So I called the RE yesterday to announce the return of AF as directed, and I was told that they needed more of my blood because they didn't have any Thyroid results. I told them that yes, they did have those results because my regular OB gave me a flood of tests a few weeks back, and tsh was in it. I was told by OB all was normal, and gave the RE office results. Well, turns out that 3.2 is high for the RE and they want to retest me. I go in Wednesday AM for another blood test. The IVF nurse was just lovely explaining the details and why, but here is where I am lost. Why wasn't this test done before I even started doing IUI? And I know that .5-5.0 is considered normal, so why is 3.2 considered high for fertility treatments? I've read hundreds of blogs about you ladies and your thyroid issues, but I can't remember who's done what and how high, etc. Any thyroid thoughts out there? Is this something I should worry my tushie off about for the next 72 hours?

Here is my other issue. I always feel pushy for asking questions about things I hear on blogs and dr. google. In fact, one of my questions for my RE during the IVF consult was if she thought I should have a d&c before IVF because I read that this actually helps promote implantation. Yes, I actually read a scholarly medical journal linked from a google website. Dr. S, my RE, looked at me like WTF? She said she did not know of anything like that, and immediately I felt as though I was out of place and wrong. She even cautioned against having acupuncture after the transfer because she saw studies that said it was bad. What studies are those? All I have read is that acupuncture can't hurt.

So here---we all need to make a checklist for newly christened IF patients. You know, the questions one MUST ask, such as How's my thyroid? Why do I feel like a villian when I ask questions, and why do I feel like a jackass when I don't?

Monday, November 15, 2010

CD1, the appetizer cycle

AF finally arrived today. I am super happy because this means I can begin BC pills for two weeks then start stimming for IVF!

Weird thing, though. Are you ready for this?

I was due for AF last Wednesday, but no go. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, nothing. So I peed on two sticks on Saturday evening: negative on pregnancy, but I got a smiley face for the ovulation one. WTF? I peed again Sunday morning and both were negative. I mean, WTF? Why would the ovulation prediction test be positive? Has anyone ever had this happen to them?