Help, 5weeks pregnant, just got diagnosed with Graves disease

[Deni85]

Hi ladies, has any one of you dealt with Graves disease (autoimmune thyroid disease) during pregnancy? I JUST came back from the doctor, he said I'm in the early stages of the disease and he referred me to a specialist but I won't see her until next week or the week after... In the mean time I'm reading online about it and freaking out!!! I have been feeling very well, super happy and overall have no pregnancy symptoms yet, except for a bit more tender breasts and better appetite. I noticed I have shortness of breath and I don't sleep very well but I thought it was normal until now. I have NO nausea though!
But apparently Graves disease can cause severe nausea and all kinds of other problems in pregnancy so I'm worried now. Any advice, tips and your experience with this would be helpful!!

 

[potomania]

Is the doctor sure you have Graves' or did he just say hyperthyroidism?

 

[Katt36]

Did he make this diagnosis and run the test while you are pregnant? Could that have thrown things off?

 

[MrsKatie]

A friend of mine was diagnosed with Graves just before she got pregnant with her second child. It was managed with medication throughout her pregnancy and she and her baby (who is now almost 2!) were and are 100% fine and thriving. Best of luck to you!

 

[Deni85]

Is the doctor sure you have Graves' or did he just say hyperthyroidism?

Yes, unfortunately it's Graves and not just hyperthyroidism. My antibodies are very elevated (20x the normal amount)

 

[Deni85]

Did he make this diagnosis and run the test while you are pregnant? Could that have thrown things off?

I am still waiting to find out if it is due to the pregnancy because the tests were done after I got pregnant. It started as a routine test... I've read that the thyroid hormones can skyrocket during pregnancy but I also have high levels of both types of thyroid antibodies and that's definitely not due to the pregnancy

 

[Deni85]

A friend of mine was diagnosed with Graves just before she got pregnant with her second child. It was managed with medication throughout her pregnancy and she and her baby (who is now almost 2!) were and are 100% fine and thriving. Best of luck to you!

This is very reassuring!! Thank you

 

[bananaz]

I'm sorry, that's scary, but I'm glad they caught it so early in your pregnancy. Perinatologists manage hyperthyroid patients all the time and I'm sure your doctor will have a great treatment plan to keep you and baby safe.