I learned how sensitive the thyroid is, the hard way.
Maybe I can save you some time and energy.
So my thyroid started out a little under active but still in the normal range, like TSH 3.5. Normal thyroid TSH levels are considered anywhere from 0.4 – 4, and the lower the number the more active the thyroid. (Not sure why they came up with a inverted scale?!)
My fertility doctor suggested I go on a low level of thyroxine to increase my thyroid function to a level more conducive to fertility – usually between 0.4 – 2.5. So I started thyroxine with minimal instructions:
Take one pill each morning, about 20 mins before food.
Retest your TSH levels every 4 weeks and we’ll adjust the thyroxine levels as needed.
My first blood test 4 weeks later showed that my level of TSH had decreased sightly (increased thyroid function) but it still wasn’t at the level we were hoping for. So we increased my dose of thyroxine from 50mg to 100mg. Over the next few months, my levels shifted all over the place and we adjusted my medication again from 100mg to 75mg, back to 100mg. My results didn’t seem consistent with my dose. In fact, my TSH ranged from 0.01 to 9.3. It was surprising to my doctor that I wasn’t having major side affacts from these swings in hormones levels. So, on the recommendation of my fertility doctor, I went to see an endocrinologist to see what was happening.
Here is what I learned:
Don't take other supplements with thyroxine
I wasn’t taking my medication properly. Thyroxine is meant to be taken with a little water and that’s it for at least 30 mins. I often took my thyroxine first thing in the morning, with a couple other supplements. My other supplements, Juice Plus, contains calcium. Calcium affects how thyroxine is absorbed and used. It pretty much cancels it out. Whoops!
Don't drink coffee with thyroxine
Before one of my blood tests, I was traveling through north west Australia and my schedule was all over the place. Most mornings I had my medication, and some mornings I forgot or had it later than usual. While I knew not to have food with my thyroxine, I thought having a coffee within the first 20 mins wouldn’t impact its effects. Wrong again! I have milk in my coffee, and what does milk have? Calcium.
Thyroxine needs 4-6 weeks
When I returned home from vacation, I was very consistent with my thyroxine for the 2 weeks leading up to my next blood test. Surely my inconsistency while traveling would have ironed itself out by then. Well, no – apparently it takes 4-6 weeks to measure how thyroxine is actually affecting your hormone levels.
All this messing around meant that I had to delay my next round of IVF until my TSH levels were stable. I spoke to my sister, who had been on thyroxine for a few years, and she confirmed what I had just learned. She shared with me that she’d been told to wait 45-60 mins before consuming anything other than water in the mornings was ideal. And that missing a single day can throw things off.
I wish I had known how sensitive taking thyroxine is, and the impact it has sooner. I’ve been really consistent with how and when I take it now, and my levels have been ideal since! Remember to ask your doctor or pharmacist loads of questions when you start a new medication and you may save yourself time and energy!
Erica,
I too learned this the hard way. It took an endocrinologist to tell me to take it in the morning and my prenatal suppliments in the evening. I knew about the calcium part but disregarded it, I didn’t know about the coffee part (as I just took my dose and downed a coffee). Having hypothyroidism as well as hashimotos really messes with many aspects of my life. Fertility was just one of the many. Thank the lord I have my precious Reagan who is 3.5 weeks old! Love hearing about your journey!
Thanks Lindsay! I hear ya, it’s such a tricky thing to get on top of and it impacts so many other body functions. So happy for you and your family! x