Does Thyroidectomy Affect Ability To Conceive?

Hello,

I'm new to this board and hope you can help me. I had a total thyroidectomy in 2003 due to papillary cancer.  I am on Levothyroxine and Cytomel.  We have been trying to conceive for a really long time (too painful to actually count the exact time) and I have had three chemical pregnancies. 

Everything checks out fine with me...all the bloodwork, an HSG, ultrasound, you name it...it all looks good.  My TSH is suppressed with Free T3 and T4 in normal range.  

Is the the thyroidectomy or the synthetic thryoid hormones the problem?  My doctors all assure me that my lack of a thyroid does not play a part as long as my numbers are in range.  Yet recently I met a woman who told me she could not conceive until she switched to Armour.  Is Armour better for TTC?  What do I need to know?  I would really appreciate any input.

Thanks!

Dev 

 

Welcome !!  If you get a chance read my story "Cancer Again, Now What?".  I waited a long time to have my child, so I know it's possible.  You have to have faith.  I'm sorry for the pain you have endured on trying to have a child.  I feel that there is a time when it is right and it will happen.  I pray that you will be able to have a child.  Did you go to a specialist/OB GYN ?     I was on synthroid, cytomel and now levoxthyroxine.   Take Care & God Bless. Aloha, Paulette

I think hypothyroisism could affect conception, but if your levels are OK, then it shouldn't be as issue.  Has your husband been checked?   30-40% of infertility problems are caused by the male.

I had a TT in 4/05 and got pregnant in 11/05 and had a healthy baby boy, now 6 months old.  My understanding is that there is no affect on fertility if the thyroid is well regulated.  If your endo doesn't think your thyroid condition is to blame, I'd consult a fertility expert to get you both evaluated.  I'd start with the male, since his evaluation is really easy....Good luck with TTC.

I had a total thyroidectomy at 15 and have been on .175 Synthroid since my operation and treatment.  I am now 31 and my husband and I have two very healthy children ages 3 & 1 1/2.  Your chances of conceiving are as good as anyone else.  

 You will have to be monitored a bit more during pregnancy to check you TSH levels but that is it. 

Gina

Thank you to everybody who has responded.  I really appreciate it!

 One more question:  has anyone ever heard of Armour being more "conception-friendly" than Synthroid/Levothyroxine?  A woman told me that she struggled to get pregnant and finally was able to conceive only AFTER she switched to Armour.  Any thoughts on this?

 Also, my Free T3 and Free T4 are within normal range and my TSH is suppressed usually around 0.01 or less.

 Thanks again! 

-Dev 

 

 

I have been on synthoid since the age of 15, and I had no problems with conceiving (I am now 31).  What medication you are on seems to be more of a physicians preference than anything.  At least that is what I have encountered with my physicians as well as others with the same condition. 

How long have you been trying?  Often it takes someone 6+ months to conceive.  If it has been longer than a year, you should see your GYN.  Often doctors won't do anything unless you have been trying for over a year.  But after reviewing your post just now, I can see that you have said you have been trying for sometime.  There are a number of things that could be a factor, but I don't think the medication has anything to do with it.  You are simply regulating your thyroid with the medication. So in a sense according to your body, you have a working thyroid.  My sister in law is an OB/GYN.  I will ask her anything you want.  You can email me privately if you wish. 

 Gina

I am so sorry to hear about your difficulties trying to conceive.  This problem sounds similar to one I had where I miscarried very very early in pregnancy (days after testing positive) over and over again.  You may want to check out luteal phase defects and do a little reading.  I finally was able to stay pregnant after taking Clomid which corrected my luteal phase defect.  Check out the symptoms and see if it fits your situation.  Wishing you the best!

BTW, I forgot to mention in my message, I suffered from years of hypothyroidism and was told it did not affect fertility.  After seeking fertility treatment through a specialist, I was told that it definitely could affect fertility and appears to have been related to the luteal phase defect I was having.