Balancing hormones before IVF question

Ok, so now I have something new to be worried about. It will probably turn out fine, but I know I will be worried all weekend.

My TSH tends to go a little high. I have an adrenal disorder, which I take dexamethasone to treat. When I am not taking enough dex, all my adrenal hormones go high, including TSH. About two months ago I saw a new endo at Mt. Sinai. They are a leading research hosp. for endocrinology. She told me that a baby should in no way be exposed to dex because it crosses the placenta and they do not know the long-term side effects. So, she told me to lower my dose. I followed her orders and I haven't had blood done since. Now, I am really worried that my TSH wil be too high. My RE at Cornell said they can't give me IVF unless my TSH is below 2.5. I kind of know what many of you will say since I read the boards... Dexamethasone is given to IVF patients, so obviously they haven't found any long-term side effects to suggest it's dangerous. It's actually given at a much higher dose than I even take.

This is kind of worrying me because I am on a timeline. My reason for IVF is male factor. The urologist said he wants to do the mTese for IVF sooner than later because the medication my DH is on willl eventually lose effect as his body gets used to it.

Did anyone else have some sort of issue regarding balancing hormones beforehand? Also, what if you are taking meds for your condition, do you stop once you start taking IVF hormones.

Also, I am going to go back to my old endo on Monday. I feel like just going back to the dose she put me on cause I am obviously not at risk of getting pregnant anyhow. Also, I want to give myself a few extra days of being on the higher steroid again in hopes that my TSH will be alright by the time I get my blood test.

Is this crazy or am I making myself crazy?

Re: Balancing hormones before IVF question

I'm no help with the balancing of hormones issue but I hope that both your RE and your Endo can communicate with each other to create a protocol to best fit your needs. Can you switch from Dextamethasone to Prednisone? Maybe only switch with a positive beta?

Re: Balancing hormones before IVF question

i would think any reproductive endocrinilogist...the ones who do ivf...would KNOW what thyroid meds you can or cannot take.

can you talk to the re ? they know more than a reg endo what is ok for baby

gl xoxo

Re: Balancing hormones before IVF question

i was on dex for my entire IVF and I think until 6w pregnant. i also did it for many many TI cycles prior to IVF. i was on as much as 1.5mg at one point but for IVF i was on .75.

as far as the TESE, I don't know much about it having not been down that road, but can they extract as much as possible and freeze it? that way you can do IVF when your body is ready?

Re: Balancing hormones before IVF question

Re: Balancing hormones before IVF question

i have been on dex for over a yr and am in the middle of ivf now and still taking it

Re: Balancing hormones before IVF question

Thanks girls! Here's the strange thing, my RE recommended I see an endocrinologist. The same thing happened at another fertility clinic. I guess they feel my condition is not their expertise. Weird, right?