Bloodwork Results and New Findings

My NaPro doctor called me this morning with the results of my Blood Work. Praise be to God! Atleast I have a diagnosis.

TSH - 3.13 which means I have an underactive Thyroid. Also my Free T3 levels were low at 2.6. She is putting me on Armour Thyroid. No wonder I had low BBTs for the last 2 years I was charting but none of my doctors would treat me based on my BBT. I was gaining weight easily and feeling sluggish & tired. Not to mention hair loss, dry skin and other symptoms. My Free T4 levels were 1.26 which was within the normal limits.

My Vitamin D levels are extremely low at 10.4. It should have been atleast 32. I am supposed to start Prescription Vitamin D and then change to Vitamin D 5000 Units Over the Counter. Does Vitamin D cause Infertility/Miscarriage? I am so confused because during my last appt, my dr. insisted that Vitamins don't cause Infertility.

Thankfully, my Vitamin B12 levels were normal at 379.

I am still in shock. I feel sad and angry that all my previous bloodwork for TSH kept coming back normal and I wasn't treated. Could my thyroid issues have caused my miscarriages? How did I conceive if I had Thyroid problems? Given all these new findings, I consider myself lucky that I conceived. I don't know. I wish I had clear answers.

I am glad that I persuaded my NaPro dr to check my Thyroid hormones & Vitamins Levels!
I just hope these new medications along with the Clomid and Progesterone would give me a better chance. I am thankful to God for leading me to NaPro and all your blogs.

Low Progesterone
Late Ovulation
Underactive thyroid
Low Vitamin D
One Fallopian Tube...

Probably, it's times to become a patient of PPVI and get comprehensive NaPro Care.  

Lord, help me to accept your divine Will however hard it may be seem.

Appt #2 with our Local Napro Ob/Gyn

I am thankful to God that our 2nd appt with our local Napro Ob/Gyn went well. I had made a list of questions as per my Practitioner (Polkadot's) suggestion and it helped.

• After reviewing my charts for the last 3 cycles on Progesterone and seeing my delayed Peak Days, she prescribed Clomid for 6 months. Hurray! Atleast, I have something to look forward to for the next few cycles rather than believing that Progesterone will do the trick. Since I had earlier conceived the very first cycle I was on Clomid and didn't have any adverse effects while on Clomid, she was pretty confident that Clomid would work. 
• I asked her if I have PCOS because of my long cycles but she said my hormones tests were negative for PCOS and insulin resistance. It is slightly possible that I have a very mild version of PCOS which can cause fairly long cycles between 32-38 days. I wanted to ask her for Metformin but I forgot!
• I convinced her to check my thyroid levels and she agreed to do bloodwork for Free T3 and T4 along with TSH. 
• I also asked her about getting my Vitamin Levels checked and she said Vitamins do not cause miscarriage. Vitamin Deficiency can make you tired but it isn't related to Infertility. Nevertheless, she had my blood drawn to check Vitamin D and B12 levels. :)
• I asked her about Endometrial Biopsy or anything else that would help to rule out infections but she said that biopsies help to find out the cause of Infertility but not Recurrent Miscarriages. But I read on many of your blogs how Inflammation/Infections can cause miscarriages. Wondering..
• I also asked her if I should pursue NaPro surgery assuming I have endometriosis. She said it would be reasonable to try for 6 months on Clomid before considering a Lap.
• Another possibility is that I may have scarring from my first surgery for Ectopic which could be affecting my fertility.
• If I don't conceive in the next 6 cycles, DH may need to get a SA done! I think it would be better to take a bunch of vitamins.  Maybe Androvite for DH.
• On a positive note, I have almost zero PMS and Mood Swings on the 3rd cycle of Progesterone. The first 2 cycles were from hell but this cycle is so different. I am not a miserable person and I am so so thankful to God. I hope it remains the same for the next 6 cycles on Clomid! :)
• I am wondering about Immunology factors which could be causing miscarriages. These are some of the tests done so far with normal results. 

1. Prolactin
2. Testosterone
3. TSH, LH, FSH
4. Antithrombin III
5. Lupus Anticoagulant
6. Protein C
7. Protein S
8. Anticardiolipin Anitbodies
9. Factor V Leiden
10. Prothrombin 20210A (factor II)
11. HGB (Hemoglobin) A1C Test
12. Beta 2 Glycoprotein -I Ab IgA IgG IgM
13. Chromosome karotyping

I would appreciate suggestions for any other tests that need to be done. God Bless~!

Prayer Buddy Reveal & Updates

This summer, I had the honor of praying for JoAnna of http://a-star-of-hope.blogspot.com/. She is a wonderful Catholic mom to adorable children and is expecting a little one in December. I admire her blog and her zeal for Catholic faith. I have learned so much about my faith from her blog.

I would like to thank J at http://infertilecatholic.blogspot.com for praying for me. I really felt your prayers the last few months specially during the Post Peak Phase when I was an emotional mess.

We still haven't decided about Dr. Hilgers. Right now, I am on my 3rd cycle on Progesterone and the woes of the Post-Peak Phase have begun. :( I have an appointment with my local NaPro Ob/Gyn this month. Hopefully she will put me on Clomid/Femara or probably do a few more blood work for checking my Thyroid, Vitamin D and other regular NaPro stuff. After the appt, we will decide if it's time to find another NaPro doctor or become a patient of PPVI. Praying that I will become miraculously pregnant and won't have to find another NaPro doctor. Yes, I still hope and trust in the Lord....... Only if I had patience!

Praying for Discernment

I am amazed at the Power of Prayer. During this Prayer Buddy Season, I have been witnessing so many miracles in our Blogger World. Praise be to God! It gives me hope as we continue to wait. It reminds me that God has a beautiful plan for us. It encourages me to be patient.

The more I read blogs, the more I admire Dr. Hilgers. It is amazing how he has given hope to so many ladies struggling with IF. I have been wondering if it's time for me to go to PPVI. As each cycle goes by, I know something is wrong otherwise I should have conceived. And even if I conceive, will I ever hold a baby in my arms? I don't know if I have Endo and if that is the reason I have trouble getting pregnant and staying pregnant. I hate it when doctors tell me I have no problem getting Pregnant! For heaven's sake that is not true! With fertility-focused intercourse, it shouldn't take you more than 6 months to conceive even if you have one tube. So I know it's not true that I can get pregnant easily. I have long cycles and with 10 cycles in a year, I know there is something wrong with my Ovulation. I wish my doctor would take me seriously.

I am worried about a repeat ectopic because of Endo or any other probable reason. I am worried my Ob/Gyn has screwed up my insides after the Lap for Ectopic. Could I be having adhesions because of that surgery? The only way I can know for sure is another Lap. And that is why I have been wondering about Dr. Hilgers.

One part of me wants to go to Omaha but I don't know if it is going to be possible. I am a stay-at-home wife and with one person working in the family, I doubt if we can ever afford PPVI. And our insurance doesn't cover anything related to Fertility! I am worried that if we go back to India (after my DH's work here in the US) we will never have an opportunity to get NaPro treatments. I am worried that I am losing time as I will soon be out of my twenties. I am worried that after 3 years of Marriage, we haven't made any progress with regards to Fertility other than the Progesterone. And I would be surprised if my problems are as simple as Low Progesterone! What do we do? Do we go to Omaha while we we are here? Do we have the courage to use all our Savings to make a trip to PPVI?

I don't know but I pray for discernment. I pray to God to show us the way. I pray to God to open doors. I hope & pray that I continue trusting my local NaPro doctor. I hope and pray that I wouldn't need a surgery for Endo/Adhesions. I pray for a miracle! With God, all things are possible. Jesus, I trust in you.

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

I found this on a Prayer Card.

When you follow her; you will not go astray;

When you pray to her, You will not despair;

When you think of her, You will not err;

When she holds you up, You will not fail;

When she protects you, You will not fear;

When she leads you, You will not be fatigued;

When she favors you, You will arrive safely.

She keeps her Son from striking us;

She keeps the devil from hurting us;

She keeps our virtues from escaping us;

She keeps our merits from being destroyed;

She keeps our graces from being lost.

(St Bernard)

Happy Birthday dearest Mother Mary!
Oh my dear Mother, what do I gift you on your birthday? On this day when Saints Anna and Joachim rejoiced, on this day when the Mother of God was born, on this day when our Heavenly Mother was born....

I offer you our marriage and fertility, all our hopes and trials, all our joys and sorrows. Let me never worry because your maternal love will guide us to Your dear Son Jesus. Let me never despair and always trust in your most powerful intercession.Thank you dear Mother for being there for us.