Thyroid Problems Anyone??

[RainbowDrop_x]

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place or not but I also posted in third tri and didn't get much response so thought I'd try my luck here.

My midwife phoned me yesterday and said that she had referred me to see a consultant at the ante-natal clinic because my "thyroid is playing up".. I have no idea what she means and even when I asked her what she ment she wasn't very clear on anything.. She only said that it was nothing to worry about.. However.. I know I shouldn't have but I've been googling and the risks of it are not something that appeals to me at all.. I was just wondering if anyone had any knowledge of this and also what will they do if a problem is found? Will they monitor me and the baby? Will I be on medication? Is there any harm to my baby??

 

[fashionista]

Hi,
I'm only in the beginning of my second trimester but I also have experienced this. My levels came back abnormal and higher than usual when tested. I just went to to an endocrinologist(sp) today to check out everything. Right now they are just monitoring my tsh levels so I don't need any medicine. If my levels get any higher they will treat with pills that is not harmful to the baby while in the womb or if breastfeeding. From what my doctor explained its better to get treated if needed because it can cause premature birth and a few other things but the chances of your little one having this problem is low. For now I just have to go back every few weeks for a check up. Hope this helps!

 

[Kitty23]

Heya there are two main types of thyroid problems, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism- your thyroid gland isnt making enough thyroid stuff. Its very important that in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy that you have enough thyroid stuff. If you have this ( its the more common of the two types) you will be put on medication and it wont affect your pregnancy

Hyperthyoidism- your creating too much thyroid stuff, can make you feel jittery, have high heart rate etc. You'll probably be on medication to. No harm to the baby

Both types you'll have regular blood tests to see if your levels return to normal. You might be on the medication for life or it might resolve itself after pregnancy xxx

 

[RainbowDrop_x]

I find it hard to see how it can be monitored so late on in my pregnancy though?? If my thyroid problem is pregnancy related (Not sure which of the 2 it is yet as I'm still waiting for ante-natal clinic to ring me) surely it would have been from the start?? Is it possible for it too develop so late on? It was only picked up on my last set of blood tests which I had done at 31 weeks and that was only because I went too see my GP about itching so he wanted to check for OC and when I rang the surgery to get my results they said that they were satisfactory but then my MW rang and said they weren't??

I'm just worried that I may have had it earlier and it wasn't picked up on and from some of the information I've read it looks really dangerous depending on which of the 2 forms you have.

 

[fashionista]

From my understanding they will monitor your levels weekly. If they get too high then they will treat you. I'm not sure why they didn't see it before hand. I wouldn't worry too much until you see someone about it. My ob/gyn was concerned about my levels but when I went to see the endocrinologist he stated they were fairly normal during pregnancy. He said that we would continue to monitor every few weeks. Keep us updated!

 

[tillykins]

Hi. i have had an underactive thyroid for about ten years now which is controlled with Thyroxine, my consultant told my that in my first trimester i would probably need an increase in medication(which i did ) and for the rest of my pregnancy i should be fine as long as i had my TSH levels checked each trimester, he told me that early in pregnancy baby takes what they need and leave you with surplus but eventually it evens out. I have been fine. I'm sure you will be too, thyroid conditions are easily managed with the correct levels of thyroxine. Try not to worry! Hugs xx

 

[KhenyaEllie]

Hiya
I have Graves disease which is an overactive thyroid. When i first was pregnant i was taking 5mg of carbimazole.
At 14 wks they said to try coming off it as what i have is antibodies which attack my thyroid and make it work faster and when your pregnant your bodies immunities drop to all antibodies otherwise you would end up attacking the baby's antibodies.
Anyway i came off the pills and have been fine ever since. Im 26 wks now and have a blood test every 4 wks. The docs said taking the meds wouldnt cause any problems but i was lucky its seems to be behaving itself at the mo!

 

[RainbowDrop_x]

Thanks for all the replies ladies.. I got a letter through this morning from the Ante-Natal clinic asking me to go to see a consultant next Wednesday so will see how that goes.. Will be sure to let you all know how I get on.. Thanks again for taking the time to reply xxx

 

[jaye944]

wether you have an over active or underactive, is no great shakes.

generally, underactive thyroid, you put on weight, feel sluggish, and have motabolism problems

overactive, your skinny and cant put weight on

underactive they put you on Thyroxine which is a naturally occuring hormone, so no side effects. they start you on a low dose and monitor your TSH levels untill the find the correct dose.

not sure of treatment/meds for overactive, but same kinda thing

dont worry, its not a major issue


Type1 diabetic (4 years) and Underactive Thyroid (1 year)

Thanks for all the replies ladies.. I got a letter through this morning from the Ante-Natal clinic asking me to go to see a consultant next Wednesday so will see how that goes.. Will be sure to let you all know how I get on.. Thanks again for taking the time to reply xxx

 

[Heavenx]

I've had an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) since I was 10 and have been on medication ever since and will continue for the rest of my life. The symptoms I experienced back then and occassionally still include extreme fatigue, could barely get out of bed some days, difficulty in concentrating, sensitive to the cold/permanent cold hands even on warm days, and constipation. I'm treated simply with a tablet which I take once daily. (These are just some of the symptoms i experience and I guess other people are different so may experience others too)

Mine was caused through genetic make up (my dads side of the family) but pregnancy can cause thyroid problems too because it's a hormone thing and pregnancy hormones have a habit of playing havoc sometimes. You're likely to be treated with a tablet which you'll just take once daily and be monitored through a consultant at the hospital by having blood tests taken more frequently from now on, but I wouldn't worry about any harm been caused to your baby, if it had been a problem ealrier in the pregnancy they would have picked it up and treated you back then. You may find that a few months after having baby when your hormones have settled down that you won't need to take the medication anymore.

Hope your appointment with the consultant goes well and he or she puts your mind at ease x

 

[Lollip0p]

I have a underactive thyroid, and I am having extra scans because of it.

Does having an underactive thyroid, affect the baby in any way? I looked online and some of the things did worry me slightly.

 

[Heavenx]

I have a underactive thyroid, and I am having extra scans because of it.

Does having an underactive thyroid, affect the baby in any way? I looked online and some of the things did worry me slightly.

It shouldn't do as long as you're being monitored and taking the correct dosage of thyroxine, then everything should be fine with baby.

 

[Melly]

i have an underactive thyroid which they think has been slow developing over years, but when i got pregnant last year it made it 100 times worse and probably caused me to lose the baby.

i was diagnosed January this year, and my levels still arent 'normal'.

 

[wyates]

It all depends on if you are hypo or hyper, big difference between the two. And your mw wasnt totally honest... There are concerns about a thyroid fuckign things up... But you are quite late on so I wouldnt worry that much as I have heard it is mostly in beginning where it is most important thyroid function correctly. I have had it before this pregnancy and whole this pregnancy.

 

[wyates]

I find it hard to see how it can be monitored so late on in my pregnancy though?? If my thyroid problem is pregnancy related (Not sure which of the 2 it is yet as I'm still waiting for ante-natal clinic to ring me) surely it would have been from the start?? Is it possible for it too develop so late on? It was only picked up on my last set of blood tests which I had done at 31 weeks and that was only because I went too see my GP about itching so he wanted to check for OC and when I rang the surgery to get my results they said that they were satisfactory but then my MW rang and said they weren't??

I'm just worried that I may have had it earlier and it wasn't picked up on and from some of the information I've read it looks really dangerous depending on which of the 2 forms you have.

Sorry noone here can tell. I had my thyoroid problems for a long time before they found out by coincidence I had it. The only thing I suppose you can do is to go thru previous bloodchecks with your mw and see if they tested your TSH levels any time before that. And perhaps you had bloodtests taken before pregnancy? Then it might be an idea to check those too.

 

[wyates]

I have a underactive thyroid, and I am having extra scans because of it.

Does having an underactive thyroid, affect the baby in any way? I looked online and some of the things did worry me slightly.

I am hypo and they dont scan me extra for that. What they did do tho is that I have been leaving about 3 or 4 bloodtests thru my pregnancy to ensure I am taking the right dosis. And once the dosis is right there are no reason to worry my docent dr has told me.