[Sarah0305K]

#1059041

Hello all, I just join the forum and site. A little about me, about a year ago my husband and I started trying to start a family. After finding out I was not ovulating I was put on clomid and had a lap and HSG to confirm endo. Everything came back normal but I started to have tremors which sent us to the neurologist. Since my neuro exam was normal they tested my thyroid which came back high. Which bought us to a endocrinologist and the diagnoses of Graves. So I”m pretty much lost as to where to go from here, we just wanted to start a family. The doctor wanted to remove my thyroid after only 2 visit but I ask to be put on medication first and to get a second opinion form another endocrinologist both for thyroid and fertility. So I”m going on PTU 50MG 2 pills ever 8 hours and go back in a 2 month to check and see how things are going. I see the fertility endocrinologist this coming up Friday and in 2 weeks see another general endocrinologist for a second opinion about my thyroid and Graves. The current endocrinologist said our chances of having a pregnancy are low, I’m only 26. I guess I’m looking for some stories that may help give us hope for starting a family. Thanks!

My Levels

Uptake: 63.5%
T3:8.7
T4:3.32
TSH:<0.008
Microsomal AB: 91
Anti Thyroglobulin: <20

[Kimberly]

#1171754

Hello and welcome to the forum! Hopefully, you will get some additional responses, but there is a “search posts” function in the top right-hand corner of the screen. If you search for terms such as “pregnancy”, “conceive”, “babies”, etc., you to read stories from other patients who have been in a similar situation. There are many women on this board who have had successful pregnancies after all three treatment options: Anti-Thyroid Drugs, RAI, and surgery.

Here is some info about pregnancy planning and Graves’.

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following links, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://gdatf.org/about/about-graves-disease/patient-education/graves-disease-and-pregnancy-planning-2010/

Also, just a quick note on your labs – we aren’t docs, so we can’t comment on or interpret them, but it’s helpful to get a hard copy of your labs, so you can see where your levels are compared to the “normal” reference ranges – and keep track of them over time. The actual numbers are only meaningful in the context of your particular lab’s “normal” range – and this can vary from lab to lab.

Take care!

[adenure]

#1171756

Hi!

A big hug to you. Graves is a tough monster. I’ve been on quite the roller coaster myself for the last 2 months (when I was diagnosed) and before when the symptoms were pretty bad. I was on methimazole for 7 weeks- 5 mg. daily- but I, unfortunately, had liver issues due to the medicine and had to stop treatment last Friday. It did make my thyroid normal though. So, if you can stay healthy liver-wise, hopefully it will work for you. On a positive note, my liver enzymes are returning to normal off of the medicine. So, I am trying to pursue surgery as doing RAI would require me to wean my baby (I’m okay with that), but then dry up (take a few months for me) and then wait an extra 6 weeks before treatment- such a long wait- I don’t want to do that. So, I’m hopeful that even though I’m off the meds., the surgeon will see my case as a possibility.

As far as having a baby, I do have a friend who has dealt with Graves for 10 years on PTU and methimazole (switching back and forth)- she has had 4 healthy children and breastfed them all with no problems. So, it is possible to have a family and be managing Graves via medication. Although I was part of the small percentage who had a liver issue, please do insist that your doctor not just check your thyroid levels, but also run a liver function test as well when you go in every 6 weeks or so.

Try to stay positive; it is very hard and very discouraging, but there are some wonderful people here who will support you on your journey.

Alexis

[snelsen]

#1171757

Hi, I am very happy that you are seeing a second endocrinologist. As an ordinary person, but one who has had three pregnancies after Graves’, I really question the statement that your chances of a pregnancy are low. My first pregnancy was age 23, delivered at 24, and Graves’ developed when my litttle boy was 2 months old. After taking Tapazole, I had a thyroidecomy. One of those pregnancies was an early miscarriage.

Check it out with the 2nd endo, or better yet, have a consult with an OB doc. YOU can check, but I don’t think it is regarded at all as a high risk pregnancy. Other than having thyroid labs run now and then during my pregnancy, and having labs on the baby (which is done on every newborn in this country) my experience tells me that you can have smooth sailing, and proceed to breast feed, too. And, there are some medical things to know if you are taking ATD’s.

I think your chances are as good as anyone elses. Of course you would provide your health history of Graves’, and the additional information about your treatment choice, and what meds you are taking now.

As I have mentioned, it certainly is relevant, and your OB doc should be familiar with graves’. Here is pretty reliable link for you to read from the US Department of Women’s Health. Read all of it, for some of the possible complications refer to all pregnancies, not specifically Graves’. But there is a section on pregnancy and Graves’/ Here it is. I think you will find it very reassuring.

Re having Graves’ it sounds like you have found some good and competent docs involved in your care.
Shirley
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/graves-disease.cfm#j

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