Does Thyroid Medicine Cause Fiber Like Discharge In Urine?

Posted on Tue, 9 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 9 Sep 2014 Answered on

Wed, 1 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I'm 33yrs old. I'm on fertility treatment for past 1 year for second child. I consulted a new Gyc recently and she tested TSH level and found it to be 4.56. She advised ideal TSH for pregnancy is 2. My Gyn has not checked on T3 & T4 levels but asked me to take Thyronorm 25mcg for a month and then again checked on TSH, no change in value so increased dose to 50mcg. My questions are is it fine to test TSH alone and start with thyroid medication. Can we expect a change on TSH level the very next month after starting to consume thyronorm? Recently I also see that I'm getting white fiber like discharge in my urine, is it due to the thyroid medicine?

Answered by Dr. Som Biswas (-3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
TSH is not sufficient.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.

1) NO, Only TSH is NOT sufficient. At least NOT if the TSH is abnormal as in your case.

We need to get T3 and T4 also done.

2) NO , TSH change takes 3-4 months , that too if you are regular with your medicines.

3) Generally white fibre like discharge is not due to thyroid medicines.

It is a sign of (probably)infection.

Get a urine routine and culture done soon.

Feel free to consult me directly
http://bit.ly/drsombiswas

Regards

Dr. Som Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Som Biswas (41 hours later)

Thanks for the response Dr. Will do the urine tests soon, meanwhile can you pl tell me will the infection (if so) be an hindrance for fertility? since I'm already in the mid of my cycle now. Please also let me know the name of T3 & T4 tests to be taken (anything specific?).

Also have 1 more question wrt my husband's health

He is 37 yrs and has been recently diagnosed with high BP 150/100 and is on BP medicines past 1.5 months. My question is will there be a reduction in sperm count due to high BP? and can the sperm count improve if the BP medicines are taken and it is kept in control? [History- He took a sperm count test in Jun ie before we diagnosed BP it was only 2 million, contradicting to what we took last oct only when it was 45 million- you think this drastic reduction would have been due to high BP?)

Thanks so much.

Answered by Dr. Som Biswas (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
HI

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

1) Infection can cause infertility so please get it treated as soon as possible.

You will need a vaginal swab culture of your discharge and then put vaginal pessary antifungals or antibiotics as needed.

2) Free T3 and free T4 is always better.

3) YES, high BP can affect sperm count. And YES if BP is in control then sperm count improves.

Such a drastic reduction needs to be investigated. High BP can cause it.

But i will advise a REPEAT sperm count.

Regards

Dr. Som Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad