Re: Kim Re: blighted ovum linked with TSI??????

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim

I hope you are recovering well. It is a very difficult time for you and

your husband/partner we send our best wishes and thoughts.

I had 2 miscarriages whilst I was undiagnosed but definitely had Graves

and was hyper. My diagnosis sent me researching like crazy regarding

fertility and GD. I did find an explanation that said (from memory, my

link and download were on a hard drive that died on me - didn't have a

hard copy or other back up ) the increased thyroid hormone activity

changes the chemical makeup (proteins) of the cells that are involved in

the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovum which in turn usually makes

conception difficult and successful, viable pregnancy also difficult,

though not impossible. I'm sorry but that is all I remember from the paper.

My experience tells me that GD and Hyperthyroidism had a devastating

effect on my fertility. We were trying for over 2 years and had the 2

miscarriages. We saw a fertility expert (a professor in charge of one of

Sydney's biggest clinics) and there no other factor affecting us that

could determined (except for my age 39).

After diagnoses I was quickly put on meds and I made the decision to

have surgery (I was 39 and wanted to start a 2nd family ASAP. I have 1

son from a previous marriage). I had surgery (sub total thyroidectomy)

in Oct 2000 and was pregnant by mid Nov 2000. My TSI was extremely

elevated in July 2000 and had reached normal by testing in Dec 2000.

Elaine has said before that the surgery effectively removes most of the

antibodies with the thyroid tissue. I made lots of lifestyle changes and

used homeopathic meds to heal my immune system so it didn't feel the

need to make lots more antibodies.

I now have a 2yr old son and 1yr old daughter who are very healthy and

happy. I am stable and sometimes very tired!!!!!!!

The quickness of the recovery of my fertility suggests to me that the GD

and Hyperthyroidism were the major factor. Although I am considered

older by some (39 & 40 at both conceptions), I don't think this is all

that relevant. I fell pregnant the very first cycle I had after my

levels reached normal and then again when my son was only 4 months old

as soon as we decided not to use contraception (we were thinking it

might take a few months considering I was fully breast feeding and my

age!!!!!). Maybe my ovaries were making up for lost time!!!!!

Anyway, as Elaine has said the TSI by itself isn't the culprit but from

your history you have had so many ups and downs this year with your

health and I don't how much PTU you were on when you fell pregnant but

the clinical guidelines say that over 300mgs isn't considered safe. BTW

some here have had successful pregnancies on PTU ( I & Debbie).

Maybe it was " just one of those things " . Other statistics I found

indicated that there are many more unexplained miscarriages than you

think. 1 in 4 pregnancies are miscarried and they believe that this is

conservative as some miscarriages happen before pregnancy is confirmed

(thought to be a late, heavy period). If you talk to other woman you

know you may find out that some have had miscarriages you never knew

about. I was surprised by a few of the woman I know. I guess it is not

something we broadcast and we just re-group and get on with life.

I hope you will be able to put your mind at rest soon. Concentrate on

getting yourself as well as possible look after yourself (we went to a

tropical beach to rest up after the operation and it worked wonders for

us!!!) and I'm sure it will all be OK. The reproductive endo sounds

like a good idea.

Take Care

Caroline

[Guest guest]

Hi Caroline,

Yours is a wonderful, hopeful story! I am also ttc, and 37. I haven't been

trying long, but I wonder how hard it will be. What homeopathic remedies

did you use, and what other changes do you consider to be important in

helping to heal your immune system?

Also, did you have to go on synthroid following the surgery?

Thanks,

At 08:47 AM 9/30/2003, you wrote:

>Hi Kim

>

>I hope you are recovering well. It is a very difficult time for you and

>your husband/partner we send our best wishes and thoughts.

>

>I had 2 miscarriages whilst I was undiagnosed but definitely had Graves

>and was hyper. My diagnosis sent me researching like crazy regarding

>fertility and GD.