Post # 1

Member
715 posts
Busy bee
i got the results from my cd3 bloodwork back and my FSH (12.7) and TSH (3.63) levels came back elevated.
TSH would still be in the normal range if we weren’t ttc. but because we are trying to get pregnant my doc wants to see the level below 2.
i’m not a big fan of meds and only want to take them if i relly need to. do you know if and how I can lower my tsh levels naturally? maybe some success stores?
thanks,
Post # 3

Member
5572 posts
Bee Keeper
@elchalten: My TSH was elevated at the end of November when I had bloodwork done as well. I did start medication but I took a very low dose. I did some research and found that some people have seen success in lowering their levels when they’ve gone gluten free. I jumped onto that immediately and haven’t had gluten since the first week of December. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be and there’s so much available now that I never miss it. My TSH levels came back under 2 with my next cycle’s bloodwork.
I know that I was on meds as well so I’m not positive about how much going Girlfriend has helped but I’m keeping it up!
Post # 4

Member
1251 posts
Bumble bee
@elchalten: I know there’s a link between soy and diminished thyroid function, so maybe try limiting that in your diet? Eating certain raw vegetables in the genus Brassica (including cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, cauliflower) can also supress thyroid function and increase TSH levels. I’ve heard some people try supplements of L-tyrosine and iodine, but I’ve never done it personally and probably wouldn’t start that without first consulting my doctor. But the meds they’d be putting you on, if your doctor thinks that’s necessary (my doctor won’t treat below 5, my TSH is 3.0), would just be supplementing the hormones your body produces naturally. Good luck!!
Post # 5

Member
1508 posts
Bumble bee
I think that newest guidlines state that TSH should be 3.0 or lower. I’m TTC was at 2.5 so my Endo upped my meds.
Post # 6

Member
715 posts
Busy bee
@Running Elley: i will def look into the gluten free diet but i’m struggling a bit to imagine how i’ll survive without my pasta bowls.
@littlegraykitten: i always thought that broccoli, bok choy, spinach etc are great fertility foods. i load up my plate with them whenever I can. maybe that isn’t the smartest move then.
@kayakgirl73: that’s interesting. my paper says that the normal range (for not ttc women) is 5 or lower. maybe they don’t work with the latest guidelines then.
my acupuncturist believes that he’ll be able to bring my levels down within the next 2-3 months (with acupuncture and chinese herbs). i think i’ll give my body that much time to further adjust without additional meds and if nothing improves I’ll check with my RE again.
Post # 7

Member
1251 posts
Bumble bee
@elchalten: I think it might be only when they’re raw. They’re called goitrogens. And i think the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recently changed the guidelines from 5 to 3, so there are still some old school doctors who use the 5 guideline instead (mine does too)…it might be worth getting a second opinion?
Here’s the new guidelines;
http://thyroid.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=thyroid&cdn=health&tm=26&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_p1051.5.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//media.aace.com/article_display.cfm%3Farticle_id%3D4584
Post # 8

Member
2000 posts
Buzzing bee
1 year ago my thyroid was at 2.23. I’m going to retested sometime soon. If it’s much higher, I might be looking into treatment, as well.
Post # 9

Member
1508 posts
Bumble bee
I will say that my cycles seemed to get wonky after my Levothroid dose was lowered about a year ago. The doc just raised my dosage as mentioned so we’ll see if it helps anything. However, I have likely annovulation issues that may not be Thyroid related, but who really knows. that pesky Thyroid can really screw you up.