Hypothyroidism.... Help :( :UPDATE PG 6:

[SabrinaKat]

Hi,

I read that one of you was also diagnosed as anaemic? (I posted back in the very early days of the thread)....I take my thyroid medication in the am and my iron medication after dinner as was told that if you take both at the same time, it can counter the thyroid meds....

I did get terrible headaches during pregnancy (not the ones the last few days due to high BP) and my ob/gyn said I could take Solpadeine (tylenol/paracetamol with codeine) which helped, e.g. once or twice during one week (not the usual dose, everyday) -- these headaches were around wks12-16 and were quite bad (stiff neck, etc., but not related to my later PE), so perhaps you could ask you GP for a once-off?

oh, in Ireland, they check the baby when born regarding thyroid, but they also ran a few more tests when Finn was born to confirm that his thyroid function was fine -- just in case -- but he is fine, so it's something to remember (not worry about!) when your LOs arrive!

best wishes

 

[Nothing]

Hi all, hope you don't mind me crashing your thread, i'm really nervous about my thyroid levels. I was diagnosed with hashimotos about 12 years ago and had a goitre and have been prescribed thyroxine ever since, I'm 15w2d pregnant today and just range for my blood test results and my TSH levels have jumped from 0.73 at the end of January to 3.2 from my test last week, so in just over 6 weeks its changed by 2.5. My doctor has said thats satisfactory however I'm scared as if its changing that rapidly then I don't have another blood test for 6 weeks i could go really low and harm my baby. I've also been reading that when you're pregnant you shouldn't move much around the 2 level. Can anyone give me some advice???

 

[Krippy]

Hey Nothing. I have Hashimoto's too but the only advice I can give you is to contact your doctor and voice your concerns really clearly. What dose are you on? I would ask for levels to be checked at 4 weeks instead and just be honest with your Dr. Hopefully they will be able to address you concerns and make you feel better. I am getting blood work done every 4 weeks and I am not even pregnant yet...I had an early loss.

GL to you sweetie!

 

[LeighAnne]

Baby starts producing its own thyroid by twelve weeks (so my doctor says), so it isn't as crucial as it is in the first few weeks, although I would definately stay on top of it just to make sure you are as healthy you can be for baby.

 

[Nothing]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I was told my my thyroid specialist that 6-8 weeks I should get checks but I agree with you I'm not happy with that considering to me thats a big jump and I too had a loss in September, I had a missed miscarriage which I found at my dating scan and the baby got to 8w2d, so its made me ultra paranoid this time around and seeing my levels change like that has really worried me. I am currently on 150mg, I was on 175 until May last year but my GP thought I was slightly over (TSH 0.05) so he dropped it and its always been at the back of my mind if he'd left me on 175mg would my baby have survived. I've pretty much always been on around 150-175mg.
I think you're right I need to get on to my GP and tell him how I feel. I just think if dropping my dose by 25mg didn't dramatically affect my levels then what harm can it do for him to up it by 25mg, I'm just scared my the next bloods it will jump up even further
Sorry to hear about your loss, I really hope you get your BFP soon xx

 

[Krippy]

Thanks Nothing! I see that you have a GP...have you thought about finding an endocrinilogist that specializes in pregnancy. I have a GP maternity Dr, OB/GYN, and a endo that specializes in preggo women. Just a thought...since you have Hashi's an endo would really have a lot of insight. I only got diagnosed on February 1st and am on 50 mcg. My last set of blood work was in a perfect range so it didn't take long for me to adjust with the meds. I was only hypo since January though bc I was hyper from October after my first pregnancy! Oh the joys of hashi's and being pregnant!

Although I think LeighAnne is right and your bean being so far along and not needing your thyroid right now... Hope you figure it all out!

 

[Nothing]

Hi guys - really appreciate you both replying so quickly. its definitely helping to relieve my anxiety I have seen a thyroid specialist in my local hospital and he said he was happy with me seeing my GP to manage it through as my levels looked ok over the last 2 tests but he would get involved if anything changed and i think thats enough of a change for him to be involved. I'm going to go through my notes and see if I can contact him and have arranged for my GP to call tomorrow. I feel a bit more reassured you're saying that after 12 weeks the baby starts to produce its own so I'm gonna be positive and think all is ok and stop stressing until I can speak to my GP. I never thought it would have such a dramatic affect on a baby, I always knew it could cause conception problems but not that it also affected baby.
I've always been hypo, never hyper so I guess thats been a good thing interms of treating me, it must be hard for yours to change from hyper to hypo and get the levels right so i'm really pleased they've got you on the right one now.
Thanks again for both your advice x

 

[Thyroxy]

Hi guys - really appreciate you both replying so quickly. its definitely helping to relieve my anxiety I have seen a thyroid specialist in my local hospital and he said he was happy with me seeing my GP to manage it through as my levels looked ok over the last 2 tests but he would get involved if anything changed and i think thats enough of a change for him to be involved. I'm going to go through my notes and see if I can contact him and have arranged for my GP to call tomorrow. I feel a bit more reassured you're saying that after 12 weeks the baby starts to produce its own so I'm gonna be positive and think all is ok and stop stressing until I can speak to my GP. I never thought it would have such a dramatic affect on a baby, I always knew it could cause conception problems but not that it also affected baby.
I've always been hypo, never hyper so I guess thats been a good thing interms of treating me, it must be hard for yours to change from hyper to hypo and get the levels right so i'm really pleased they've got you on the right one now.
Thanks again for both your advice x

hi Nothing, you can stop worrying for sure - it's definitely true that after 12 weeks your baby produces its own thyroid hormone, it's the first 12 weeks that are crucial

I see an Endocrinologist (I'm 11 weeks 5 days) and she actually insists on testing me every 14 days at the moment, to give us both piece of mind. It's not easy to be assertive with some medical practitioners but at the end of the day you are entitled to the care that you think you deserve, so good on you for getting in touch with the Endo at the hospital again, it's OK to say "No, I am not happy with only my GP at this stage"

The TSH ranges for 2nd trimester of pregnancy are 0.2 - 3.0, you were only 0.2 over so I don't think that's anything to worry about at all. If it makes you feel better, my TSH was 47 when I was diagnosed with Hypo and 2 weeks pregnant at the time, happy to report got it down to safe range within a week and had my first scan yesterday and babycake is perfect

 

[Thyroxy]

hi Nothing, you can stop worrying for sure - it's definitely true that after 12 weeks your baby produces its own thyroid hormone, it's the first 12 weeks that are crucial

I see an Endocrinologist (I'm 11 weeks 5 days) and she actually insists on testing me every 14 days at the moment, to give us both piece of mind. It's not easy to be assertive with some medical practitioners but at the end of the day you are entitled to the care that you think you deserve, so good on you for getting in touch with the Endo at the hospital again, it's OK to say "No, I am not happy with only my GP at this stage"

The TSH ranges for 2nd trimester of pregnancy are 0.2 - 3.0, you were only 0.2 over so I don't think that's anything to worry about at all. If it makes you feel better, my TSH was 47 when I was diagnosed with Hypo and 2 weeks pregnant at the time, happy to report got it down to safe range within a week and had my first scan yesterday and babycake is perfect

Sorry forgot to add, Nothing, that it's really normal for your TSH to go up after the 12 week mark due to the baby not relying on your thyroid hormone anymore - so at least you also know your body is doing what it should be doing

 

[LeighAnne]

The twins I lost at 23 weeks was because of undiagnosed/untreatede Hypothyroidism. Checking the thyroid is not something all doctors do. At least in 2006 they didn't. What happens is the baby dosen't produce its own thyroid hormone for the first twelve weeks when brain development is crucial. My babies brains were not developed properly. They managed to survive until 23 weeks. Doctor said no telling what they would have been like (brain-wise) had they lived and survived. I was thankful after finding out three months later what had happened. As my babies can live peacefully in Heaven instead of having severe brain abnormalities and possibly struggling for life.

I will be twelve weeks tomorrow. TSH was high at first, I think 7. something but we got it under control by the time I was 8 weeks. I still worry, but try to be at ease knowing I followed doctors orders and did everything I could possible. I go back to doctor Monday.

 

[aimee-lou]

Thyroxy - good to hear that your scan went well!

Nothing - I agree that if you're worried speak to your Dr. I had a normal reading at my blood tests done in early pregnancy, then went up to 3.8, then 6. I was flung onto a much higher dose (200mcg from 150mcg - 125 prior to PG) at 24 weeks and have since had a 'perfect' reading of 1.8 thanks to the reactivity of my Dr's. I am a little worried, I would be lying if I said I wasn't, that that leap has done damage, but I take a lot of solace in the fact that it was all well within the 2nd trimester (1st and 3rd are when the most brain development happens) and had it been much higher, then maybe they would have been a bit more 'on top' of my care. As it stands, my endo still hasn't sent me my 3rd tri appointment, and I am due at the hospital to see my AN consultant tomorrow, so will probably have more tests tomorrow.

Hoping my anaemia is under control and I'll be allowed to go midwife-led again! Scan at 9am tomorrow, appointments at 9.20 and 11.20 (later one for my ear lol).

 

[Thyroxy]

I don't think you need to worry LeighAnne, the concerns with being pregnant with Hypo come from it remaining untreated, and your baby will be fine, and treasured I have no doubt

 

[LeighAnne]

Thyroxy... Such kind encouragement.

Greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Hope39]

I'm off to see an endocrinologist for 1st time tomorrow. Yippee! Feel like something is going right finally. I have had 3mmc and I believe they were due to undiagnosed hypothyroidism and thyroid antibodies. My tsh was at 9 when diagnosed in oct, December they had reduced to 1.3, in Jan tsh leapt to 41.3 n feb was 42.3! I am desperate to get on the ttc bandwagon again but am not allowed till tsh is under 2.

I have spent nearly 6 months trying to get my thyroid level right and it is worse than when I found
out. Totally depressing!

Can anyone tell me what yo expect visiting this endo? I have gone private as nhs waiting time is crap. I will keep nhs endo appt too as my insurance only covers me for 4 consultations private

X

 

[SabrinaKat]

wishing you luck at your appointment! My GP managed my thyroid condition, although my consultant ob/gyn (went private when became pregnant was a specialist in fetal medicine and an endocronologist) took bloods every month or so doing my pregnancy. The endo will probably run loads of bloods and then try you on various medication (I was on 25mg, so very small dose, but it took a little time to get it right to 50mg in May 2011, and then had a perfect 28 cycle and got pregnant in June); a good endo will also discuss your medical history, so if you think you will be nervous, write things down and perhaps in the few days beforehand, write any questions YOU have, e.g. retesting, protocols regarding appointments, etc.

good luck!

 

[Thyroxy]

Good luck with your appointment Hope39 - what meds and dosages are you on at the moment? At my first Endo appointment I had a notebook filled with questions! It's all about you afterall there is no such thing as a stupid question was my motto Important to ask them WHY they think you're hypo, is it anti immune cause or not? Be sure your Endo checks your Vitamin D levels as well as your TSH and Free T4 levels regularly, they are all intertwined. You are quite right to expect this Endo to fix your rollercoaster TSH levels and get you on the right type of medication and right dosage to stabilise it all so you can ttc asap!

 

[Thyroxy]

Hi SabrinaKat, where in Ireland are you? My hubby is Irish, we were there just a few months ago

 

[aimee-lou]

Hi everyone.....scan went well. I have another chunk on my hands by the sounds of it. Baby is estimated at 5lb2 with 8 weeks to go! Averae weight gain is 1/2 lb per week so basically looking at 9lb! Earl was 9lb 6 so they're happy with me to continue naturally!

Got my last set of results back....I had been told they were 'perfect' over the phone but didn't know the levels. Turns out my TSH is down at 1.7! Only fly in the ointment is that the hospital didn't even know I was on iron, so didn't take another set of bloods. I have to go through the mw for that apparently, but in order to book in at MLBU I have to have my iron levels signed off by the hospital Grrrrr, oh well, bigger picture is that baby is good, I'm good, and we're very happy lol - oh apart from the picture costing £4! Every time we go the price has gone up!!!!

 

[Nothing]

Hey guys thanks for your advice - its good to hear I wasn't over reacting so I called the Drs today and he rang me back. I'd dug out all my notes from the consultant who I saw initially (he said he was happy for the GP to manage it as it had been so stable for years) and the notes said if I move to between 2 > 5 then the Dr has to put my tablets up so I pointed this out to the Doctor and he read through the notes, he sincerely apologised, it seems it had slipped his mind I was pregnant, and has prepared me a prescription for tonight to up my dose and I'm to go for bloods at least every 6 weeks as it was 6-8. Good job I was keeping an eye on this and had you guys to tell me I wasn't over reacting.
Its really scary to think it can jump that much and potentially harm the baby.
I feel a lot more relaxed now. Though wish I was far enough along to feel the baby, I just want to know its all ok. I have my MW appointment Tuesday so I guess she might get the doppler out - I so want one of those.

Aimee-Lou its really nice to hear things are going well for you, its my first pregnancy (though I had a mmc in September 11) so I can't help but get paranoid about things especially with this thyroid issue hanging over me, so to hear someone else with thyroid issues has their baby healthy at 32 weeks fills me with so much more confidence As for the scan pic, I had to pay £10 for mine.... Mental!!

Hope all your pregnancies are going well and thanks for your help. Will keep an eye on this topic its been really helpful x

 

[Hope39]

wishing you luck at your appointment! My GP managed my thyroid condition, although my consultant ob/gyn (went private when became pregnant was a specialist in fetal medicine and an endocronologist) took bloods every month or so doing my pregnancy. The endo will probably run loads of bloods and then try you on various medication (I was on 25mg, so very small dose, but it took a little time to get it right to 50mg in May 2011, and then had a perfect 28 cycle and got pregnant in June); a good endo will also discuss your medical history, so if you think you will be nervous, write things down and perhaps in the few days beforehand, write any questions YOU have, e.g. retesting, protocols regarding appointments, etc.

good luck!

Appt went really well!!

Endo has upped my medication immediately to alternate between 100mg and 150mg for 2 weeks, then i am on 150mg for a week and for week 4 & 5 i alternate between 150 & 175mg.

He has asked for prolactin, vit d3 and b12 tests

He seems very confident that i have pcos. I have no cysts on my ovaries (well it has not been picked up on any scans) but you can have the syndrome and no cysts. He went back on my medical history from when i first started my periods and questioned everything (something the nhs has not done with me), looked at the hair on my toes n fingers (something i have always had but put it down to being olive skinned and dark) and hey presto, he thinks i pcos. I chose the right endo it seems! He has requested weekly blood tests for the next 5 weeks and then i have to go back and see him in about 5/6 weeks. He will put me on metformin if i have pcos and was confident i will be pregnant soon!

It seems i am slowly being diagnosed with all sorts but at least i am getting answers.

I had a letter from nhs regarding my endo appt with them and that it will be at the beginning of may, so glad i decided to go private for a bit till at least i am pregnant anyway and then i will have to use the nhs