I’m 33 audit manager and planning to have a child next year and had preconception test. The result shows my TSH is way higher than the range for prenatal women. But this is really related to stress, sleep, which I can’t really have while working the same way. I had really bad burn out and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder last year. started to think maybe I can took 2-3 years off to rest and have a child and then back to work. Not sure if anyone have any experience can share.

Hey if you want to take some time off from the intensity of your job and it works for your family maybe you should do it. A lot of people take a few years off. Can you go part time?

TSH is related to your thyroid function not really stress or sleep (they can cause flare ups but that’s not the root of your issue). You need to have a full thyroid panel completed and figure out why. I have Hashimoto’s Disease which is pretty common and I take a medication to supplement my thyroid hormone and I’m fine regardless of stress, sleep, etc. I was diagnosed around 27, had my kids at 32, 35, and 36. Still taking basically the same dose for 10+ years no real issues from it. Thyroid function is very important to conception.

I came to say what EY1 said. High TSH is not related to stress, sleep - it is a hypothyroid and if your doc didn’t do a full panel on you after, you need one and you may need a new doc. The thyroid controls so much and depression is a symptom. Many people who have hypothyroidism are misdiagnosed as depressed because they are treating a symptom and not the issue. It is critical if you are TTC. You will likely feel so much better once you are on the right prescription. I have been dealing with this since I was 20. Had my first at 40. Please make an appt asap to get a full thyroid panel done.

Yea this is a thyroid issue. But if you feel your job is causing stress there is also a high likelihood that will impact you chances of conceiving regardless of your thyroid levels. Therapy, boundaries at work, exercise and switching jobs if need be are all things to start thinking about.

For example I had low AMH level and hypothyroidism when I did my fertility testing. Trying naturally wasn’t working for me so when I started fertility treatment I was clear with my boss that I could not take on new cases or matter or lead anything new. He was so supportive and the reduction in stress of not being a team lead and having less on my plate made a huge difference. Start having those conversations early.

I’m currently 38 week pregnant with a healthy baby girl. I’m glad I made those changes early. Good luck to you!

Do whatever you need to do to get your health under control with your thyroid, and have a child (or more than one, if you choose to do so). Stress and unresolved health issues will take their toll if you don’t.

You will figure out how to make it work if you prioritize the big things first. Personally, I would take advantage of any paid family leave available while I figured everything out. You earned it. Use it. But, if you don’t need the money or it’s too hard, then don’t worry about it. I wasn’t able to quit work for a couple of years when mine were born, but I did manage to go reduced hours at my AmLaw firms and work remotely after my third was born, then the rest of my legal career while raising my three kids, now 29, 25, and 22. Quite a feat before the pandemic made remote hybrid or work in vogue. (Especially before the internet made it easy). Practiced law two decades as a mom, then left to start my own legal recruiting firm once the kids were out of the house, and I finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up. 😆

You will figure it out, but take care of your health first.

You will need to take Levothyroxine to get your thyroid under control before you conceive. May take as little as six weeks to see results. High TSH can impact the future metabolism of baby (like when they are an adult) and really high TSH is associated with developmental disability. I wish more doctors screened for this in their patients either while trying to conceive or right after getting pregnant. Knowledge is power so good for you for getting tested.

My numbers were borderline so took a small Levothyroxine amount in first and second trimesters before dropping down my dose in the third trimester and then walking off the drug completely once postpartum (same with both my pregnancies).

Your thyroid function won’t be affected by stress in a way that is way off like that. What was your tsh? I have hashimotos hypothyroidism and miscarried a few times when initially trying until I got my tsh in range with levothyroxine.

Definitely take time off if you need/ want it but also start a prescription thyroid replacement.

Good luck!

That sounds like a great plan for your family, especially your child.