One thing I’ve been conveniently blocking out of my mind about Friday’s ultrasound and bloodwork appointment at the crack of 8 am: they want their money then. Thankfully I have coverage from two insurance companies (each with a $10K lifetime limit that I’ve already dipped into), which has dropped things down considerably in terms of the cash they want up front. But still, it’s gonna hurt, probably more than any of the surgery or injections.
Another thing that is going on: There has been some concern over my TSH results. My initial test showed a level of 4.76, which is at the top of the normal range the nurse practitioner told me. The top of the normal range is 5, she said.
I told my acupuncturist this, and it concerned her. She said that high TSH could cause miscarriage in pregnant women, and it takes a while for the drug to control TSH to take effect so I should talk to the doc right away about what to do.
When I called the fertility doctor office back, another nurse practitioner told me that I was supposed to have had my TSH retested. So, on that Friday afternoon a week and a half ago I ran out to pick up the lab slip and find an open lab to get my blood drawn.
(Of course my little TSH issue is nothing compared to what Aurelia is going through with her doctors and tests.)
After an insane week at work, I finally called yesterday to get the new TSH results: 3.19. I thought, this is much better! But then I did a search for normal TSH values and found this that says doctors have actually refined the scale, setting 3.04 as the new top. Sigh. I will print this one out too to bring in to my appointment on Friday. (I’m also bringing in the IVF exercise study.) They are really going to love me on Friday. He he he!
The original nurse practitioner told me that they would test my T3 and T4 when I get my blood drawn on Friday. I don’t know how soon those results will be back though.
In addition, the practice will test me again immediately if the cycle is successful. Probably that won’t be necessary.
Thank you for the sympathy, but your issues still matter too! I've heard about the sliding scale too, and the important thing to check is T3 & T4. Pregnancies & hormones can make these things all fluctuate a bit, so as long as it's not too wild, don't worry too much.
Besides, you don't have Dr.Evil...:)
Posted by: Aurelia | October 19, 2006 at 09:37 AM
Isn't there also a thing they can test for--antithyroid antibodies--if they're looking at it as a cause for affecting implantation or causing miscarriage?
Posted by: Mel | October 19, 2006 at 02:36 PM