Saw the endocrinologist today. He greeted me by shaking my hand and then promptly putting his hands around my neck - ummmm yikes! I said "wow - that's quite a greeting" and he said, "you know what we were just doing? Necking." Groan. Great - bad neck jokes. I was worried. Aside from the lame jokes, he was quite good. And I really liked the Physician's Assistant, which is who we spent most of the time with. She was very thorough. They ordered more bloodwork, but eased my concern that something besides the Hashimoto's was going on. They also echoed my fertility doctor that they don't think the thyroid is what is keeping me from getting pregnant. I have to admit - that was kind of a bummer. I'd really like to have SOME sort of a reason. But it was good to have my fertility doctor's opinions validated for me.
They would like my thyroid levels to stay stable for a few months before trying IVF again. So - that is in line with what we were thinking anyway. They did tell me to start taking my prenatal vitamins at night so they don't interfere with the synthroid. They also told me to avoid generic synthroid. That was news! Apparently, they can have varying absorption rates - or something.
We'll see what they have to say after they get the bloodwork results. I have another appointment to see them in March. Maybe an IVF then? I won't get too tied up about it. Go with the flow, Allison. Go with the flow.
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Way too many details about our quest for a child of our own.
The Follicle Report
About This Blog - I began this blog to have one place to inform friends and family about our fertility treatments. Eventually, I expanded it to others I met on-line who were struggling too. Now, there are links here from other blogs, so there are people I don't necessarily know reading this. I welcome anyone and everyone who's interested.
About Us - We've been trying to have a baby since May 2005 and are considered to have "unexplained infertility". The only test that has ever come back abnormal on either of us diagnosed me with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - which all the doctors say is not impacting my fertility. We have been through 4 unsuccessful Clomid cycles, 3 unsuccessful IUIs with injectables, three unsuccessful IVF attempts and one IVF cycle converted to an IUI, also unsuccessful. We have reached the end of the road.
This is my space to share our struggles with you and to try to keep my perspective on the whole thing. Thanks for reading.
About Us - We've been trying to have a baby since May 2005 and are considered to have "unexplained infertility". The only test that has ever come back abnormal on either of us diagnosed me with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - which all the doctors say is not impacting my fertility. We have been through 4 unsuccessful Clomid cycles, 3 unsuccessful IUIs with injectables, three unsuccessful IVF attempts and one IVF cycle converted to an IUI, also unsuccessful. We have reached the end of the road.
This is my space to share our struggles with you and to try to keep my perspective on the whole thing. Thanks for reading.
Resource List
- Center for Reproductive Psychology (from the authors of Unsung Lullabies)
- Stirrup Queens & Sperm Palace Jesters - blog of all IF blogs
- RESOLVE Info for Friends & Family
- Thyroid Disease & Fertility
- Shady Grove Fertility
- IVF Overview
- Hormone Level Chart
- Infertility Awareness - "Empty Arms" Slideshow
- NY Times Article on Infertility
Infertility Dictionary
- ART - Alternative Reproductive Technologies (for example IUI, IVF, etc.)
- ER - Egg Retrieval (surgery to remove the eggs from my ovaries for IVF)
- ET - Embryo Transfer (putting the embryo from the petri dish into my uterus)
- Follicle - sack that releases the egg
- HSG - Hysterosalpingogram (test to make sure tubes are clear)
- IF - Infertility (or Infertile)
- Injectables - shots in the tummy to stimulate my ovaries to produce more/better eggs
- IUI - Intrauterine Insemination (aka - turkey baster method)
- IVF - In Vitro Fertilization (aka Petri Dish method)
- RE - Reproductive Endocrinologist (fertility doctor)
- The Wand - Transvaginal Ultrasound
- TTC - Trying to conceive
3 comments:
If you figure out to make the mantra automatic, let me know!
Something I don't completely understand is that there are lots of women who are hypothyroid that have problems conceiving as a result... yet they say the Hashimoto's isn't related for you? That seems so odd to me but mabye I'm just not missing something.
Glad to hear you got in! I heard the same thing about the thyroid from my endo and RE. However, I figure it can't help things ya know? My doc thought the hypo would have to be much worse to prevent me from conceiving. But then again, I also had full blown hypo symptoms with my "minor" problem so maybe I'm more sensitive to it.
My Mom got generic synthroid once by accident, and it made her very very sick. DEFINITELY a big difference.
Yoda - their rationale was that there are lots of women who are hypothyroid that conceive every day with no problem. I do't fully understand it either, but since I'm trying to ensure my thyroid is in check before doing any more ARTs, it shouldn't really matter.
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