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?
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?
8 comments:
Most RE's and even some regular doctors like to see the Thyroid levels below 2 for women trying to conceive, some like it as low as 1 - anything below could be getting into hyperthyroid range. I think it's great that your RE wants to get yours lower because the higher ranges tend to pose difficulties with conceiving...plus once you conceive the baby relies 100% on your thyroid function in the first tri....so its best to have it in optimal range. Some thyroid tests are more telling than others, so she might want to look at your T3 and T4 and uptake levels in addition to your TSH. I would definately do it...it can only benefit you. xoxoxoxox
Thanks, Kim. I guess this has never crossed my mind. Hmm...I wonder if this means I'll have to wait a few months...
Oy, how frustrating! Here's hoping for good results the next go 'round, and that you won't have to wait any longer because of it. Hmm... I don't even know what my tsh results were, now I want to find out!
That's really strange about the acupuncture, everything I've read said it has been shown to HELP IVF, not hinder it. Nothing like contradictory information to have to muddle through.
I've never heard of the D&C thing ever. The internet can be such a pain - either making you paranoid that something will go terribly wrong or giving people crazy ideas. Yet, I'm still addicted.
I also brought up MANY things that I read online and also got lots of looks from the doctors. It's worth a try right?
Oh my gosh I just typed a book and it lost it all. :( Ok I have a ton to say on this topic and I have LOTS of experience but I don't want to retype it here only to lose it again. If you would send me an email at karisbabysteps at gmail dot com so I have your email address I'll send you an email. But to summarize YES it is sooooooooo important to get it between 1-2 when TTC.
I have personal experience with an out-of-whack thyroid, in fact I am going to see my endo today. Every RE is different!Optimal range for TTC is between 1-2. My thyroid has been off for a year and when I did my baseline it was normalish. I was so afraid I would get benched but my RE believes because IVF is a very controlled process and the TSH levels don't matter as much because you are basically by passing the thyroid. Once you get pregnant, your meds (if you have to be on them in the first place) will be increased even if your levels are "normal". Don't worry too much about this, it should be fine.
Oh and no acupuncture after transfer? What? Never heard that one. I did and feel very confident that I did acupuncture right after leaving the hospital!
I know what you mean about docs not taking you seriously. I had a chemical pregnancy my last IUI cycle and they totally pooh-pooh'ed me. The nurses and doctor said it was probably just the Ovidrel giving me positive HPT's (even though the lines started out negative then got darker). It makes me crazy.
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