Underactive Thyroid and Hashimoto's

[Leids]

Hi all,

Six months after my son's birth I was diagnosed with postpartum thyroiditis. I was put on levothyroxine temporarily and it was adjusted twice, but my thyroid became inflamed and my GP decided that she was going to take me off of the medication and see how things went. My thyroid levels fell within normal range a month later (they were 3.6 in March and 3.8 in July) my FT3 and FT4 levels were normal.

These levels were still too high for TTC, and we weren't planning to start trying until my son turned 2. Well.. I ovulated early one cycle, and now I'm pregnant with #2! I found out on Monday. Needless to say, I'm freaking out. I'm not on medication and I'm very worried that I'm going to lose the baby. If not now, then much later.

We moved to Washington state from Delaware and so I had to find a new GP and OB asap. I first called an OB and asked them to run thyroid tests early (called Tuesday), they told me they would run tests in a month during the normal first tri test. After thinking about it for a day, I wasn't happy with that so I found a GP and I now have an appointment on Monday. I'll ask to check my TSH, FT3/4 and my antibody count. Hopefully I can be put onto medication by Wednesday, but by that point I'll be over 5 weeks pregnant.

Has anyone had any good experiences with this? I know it's early, but I still feel that I'm getting tested too late. I'm really scared about this and positive stories and/or advice would help!

Here are the latest numbers and dates I got blood tests:
Thyroid Peroxidase (Tpo) - January 17th 2013: 89 (Ref range 0-34)
FT4 - July 19th 2013: 1.13 (Ref range 0.82-1.77)
TSH - July 19th 2013: 3.970 (Ref range 0.450-4.500)

From December 2012:
TSH: 6.030
Thyroxine (T4): 6.2 (Ref range 4.5-12)
Free thyroxine index: 1.8 (Ref range 1.2-4.9)
T3 Uptake: 29 (24-39)

Hopefully the numbers help a bit. I'll update when I receive results next week. Really hoping everything goes okay. Right now I just can't get excited at all because of all of this.

 

[Literati_Love]

They say you are supposed to increase your dose around the time of your missed period. While 5 weeks is a bit later than that, lots of people don't even know they're pregnant until 5 weeks so I should think that should be sufficient time. In the mean time, try not to panic! It is better for your baby if you aren't stressed to the max! You did the right thing in getting a different GP so that you could get tested sooner. Good luck.

I have a thyroid disorder too and am currently adjusting my levels to get them <2.5 before I get pregnant again!

 

[Leids]

Thank you. I'll just take it one day at a time and do what I can do. So far I feel good so that's a good sign that my thyroid is doing at least somewhat okay. My FT4 levels have always been good too so fx!

Good luck to you! Thyroid stuff can be so stressful.

 

[Darlin65]

They wanted to see me around 6 weeks. I am on levothyroxine with my levels in a normal range but elevated antibodies. They said they looked fine and won't see me again until another 6wks from my last appt. I am super stressed out over it because of my mc caused by it and my multiple chemical pregnancies since then. I am really concerned about my elevated antibodies because from what I have read it can cause 2nd trimester loss Thyroid issues alone can cause preterm labor as well. So am freaking out right there with you

on top of the thyroid problems my DS developed an early heart condition in the womb that was not detectable by u/s. He now only has one functioning lung. We got very lucky with him but didn't know about it until they discovered a murmur after his birth.

 

[Literati_Love]

What do you mean by elevated antibodies? Is that your TSH? I hope everything goes well. *hugs*

 

[Darlin65]

TSH is your main thyroid hormone they check. I'm not sure what the specific name/term is for the antibodies. My doctor just calls it my antibodies There are so many things to be checked and not everyone has issues with each thing so they don't check it all for everyone. When I was having problems conceiving and holding a pregnancy I had to ask for my antibodies to be checked and I was right. They were too high.

 

[Literati_Love]

Oh no! Now I am feeling paranoid because my dr only checked my TSH. What can they do about the antibodies?

 

[Darlin65]

I was told nothing about the antibodies. You just have to take your meds and wait for things to work themselves out. I don't think my doctors have been as helpful as they could have been though. They assured me I could ttc when I first found out and I should have waited because without treatment it is known to cause fertility issues and mc. They told em nothing of this and pretended it was perfectly safe.

 

[Literati_Love]

Yikes, that's scary! I also had no idea it was associated with fertility or miscarriage issues until I had one. However, I have Graves' disease and had my thyroid radiated several years ago... So I don't think the antibodies are still a problem for me. It just looked like I was a bit underdosed so hopefully when he get my TSH Lower everything will be fine. Good lck... I hope things work out for you!

 

[Leids]

As far as I know, there isn't much they can do about antibodies except treat with thyroid hormone which you're already on. There are different types of thyroid antibodies - for Hashimoto's they look for Thyroid Peroxidase aka TPO. My antibodies were last checked in December and they weren't out of control, but they are elevated. I'm not sure how they check Graves (the hyperthyroid auto-immune disorder, whereas Hashimoto's is more hypothyroid).

It definitely makes things very stressful. I hate blood tests but I have to say I'm looking forward to getting everything sorted out and taken care of. I've told my mom and MIL about the pregnancy but told them that it's still up in the air as to whether or not the pregnancy will go to term because of the issues with my thyroid. It really sucks because it basically prevents me from getting excited at all and I can't wait to talk to my GP about my worries. Maybe she can help calm my nerves.

I need to stop googling too! There are horror stories everywhere. I try to remember though that those with issues are generally the vocal minority. Not everyone will come online to say that they had successful pregnancies with thyroid problems. There are A LOT of people with unmanaged thyroid issues out there - they don't even know they have problems and they go on to have normal pregnancies.

We'll get through this. Chances are, I had elevated antibodies while pregnant with my son who is amazing and advanced developmentally. They estimate a good amount of women have a higher count of antibodies during pregnancy and just don't know it as they generally don't test!

Keep me updated on everything. I'll keep updating as well as soon as I get more numbers next week.

 

[Literati_Love]

You are SO right. I am sure tons of women with slightly off thyroids have very healthy pregnancies and babies! We do need to stop googling and just relax! We are doing everything we can do! I am so sorry you don't feel you can be that excited for this pregnancy since you are scared for what might happen.

 

[Hope39]

Hi ladies, thought I would join in on this discussion as I have also have thyroid antibodies. Thyroid peroxidase. I treat mine with Prednisolone when pregnant.

My antibodies were 617, I went on a gluten free diet and they dropped to 300. You can reduce them by going gluten free, google it!!

Xx

Xx

 

[Leids]

That's interesting, Hope. I'll have to look into that. Do you find you feel a lot better on a gluten free diet?

I just got back from seeing my GP. She didn't seem particularly concerned about the success of the pregnancy as long as I keep up with frequent labs and medication adjustment as needed. I had a thyroid panel done that included TSH, FT3, and FT4 but she said it wasn't necessary to check antibodies. They also tested my beta HCG levels and I'm nervous about that as well! Hopefully I hear back by tomorrow!

If my thyroid hormone levels are crazy she's going to send me to an endocrinologist since I'm pregnant. Have to make a few more phone calls today and speak with my ob/gyn to see if they have their own endocrinologist they work with.

FX'ed this pregnancy goes well. I'm feeling a little more optimistic after speaking with the doctor.

 

[kit10grl]

As far as I know, there isn't much they can do about antibodies except treat with thyroid hormone which you're already on. There are different types of thyroid antibodies - for Hashimoto's they look for Thyroid Peroxidase aka TPO. My antibodies were last checked in December and they weren't out of control, but they are elevated. I'm not sure how they check Graves (the hyperthyroid auto-immune disorder, whereas Hashimoto's is more hypothyroid).

It definitely makes things very stressful. I hate blood tests but I have to say I'm looking forward to getting everything sorted out and taken care of. I've told my mom and MIL about the pregnancy but told them that it's still up in the air as to whether or not the pregnancy will go to term because of the issues with my thyroid. It really sucks because it basically prevents me from getting excited at all and I can't wait to talk to my GP about my worries. Maybe she can help calm my nerves.

I need to stop googling too! There are horror stories everywhere. I try to remember though that those with issues are generally the vocal minority. Not everyone will come online to say that they had successful pregnancies with thyroid problems. There are A LOT of people with unmanaged thyroid issues out there - they don't even know they have problems and they go on to have normal pregnancies.

We'll get through this. Chances are, I had elevated antibodies while pregnant with my son who is amazing and advanced developmentally. They estimate a good amount of women have a higher count of antibodies during pregnancy and just don't know it as they generally don't test!

Keep me updated on everything. I'll keep updating as well as soon as I get more numbers next week.

Just to bring some hope to the thread. I have thyroid issues and have real trouble getting my thyroxine meds at the right dose and keeping them there. I have had two full term pregnancies. One had some issues due to my DD's genetic condition which were unrelated to my thyroid. But my first pregnancy I even managed to have my labour in a midwife led unit as they were happy with all my numbers and things on the day even though I was told throughout my pregnancy that I would need to be in a full Labour suite in the hospital.

With my second pregnancy I was 12 weeks gone before I knew about it and so that's when my levels were adjusted, it didn't affect DD in any obvious way (again her genetic condition is unrelated to my thyroid).

Its so hard when you are worrying about the baby but I hope I managed to reassure you a little

 

[Hope39]

I feel great following gluten free, there is so much choice out there now its really easy.

Not sure if you seem my history but I have had 6mc since 2010, I gained nearly half a stone each time and had an undiagnosed thyroid problem. It's took nearly 2 years to stabilise but now that I have and gluten diet, results are amazing. I'm 2.5st lighter something seems to click and the weight fell off from april 2013 without really trying

Xx

 

[Literati_Love]

That's great to hear your success story, Kit!

And I am glad you received some reassurance from your dr, Leids! I am sure everything will be fine! I hope your beta hCG levels are great!

 

[Darlin65]

Glad things seem to be going great Leids! My gp wanted me to see an endocrinologist if we couldn't level out my thyroid with reg meds. I also have ultrasounds every so many months to make sure it hasn't turned cancerous because of nodules.

We have our 1st appt and scan in 3 days so I am hoping everything is still going well. At 6wks they said my thyroid levels still looked good and my hcg was 16110. I even found the hb on the doppler last night. I'm still really stressed out tho

 

[Leids]

Thank you for the encouraging post, Kit! That gives me more hope that everything will turn out okay.

Darlin - I also have to get ultrasounds every 6 months to check a nodule. Luckily it hasn't grown but my thyroid initially became enlarged after being put onto 50mcg of levothyroxine. It still hasn't gone back to normal size so it makes me worry about what will happen when I'm put onto meds again.

I'm sure your scan will go great! It's so difficult trying to stay positive. Really hoping that the worry eases a little after 12 weeks!

 

[TMonster]

I just want to point out that the thyroid levels you are talking about are only very slightly elevated. Up until very recently and even still at some labs TSH levels up to 6 are considered within a normal range. Really out of control TSH levels are often over 100. Even when my TSH was 18 and medicated my doctor considered it to be very slight.

I normally try to keep my TSH at around .8-1.2 because that is where I feel best but the levels you are talking about are really pretty slight. You may not feel 100% but I don't think they are really high enough to cause issues. Most pregnant women need to take extra thyroid hormone when they are pregnant and many develop thyroid issues once they are. When I was in first tri, there was someone who had a normal thyroid before pregnancy who had a TSH of 12 during her first tri and usually it isn't until later in the pregnancy that it gets worse. She, however, didn't want to take the thyroid hormone and is still doing just fine in third tri.

Please try and relax, I am sure it will be just fine.

 

[Leids]

Thank you. That makes me feel a lot better. From what I read anything under 2.5 could cause problems but that's Dr. Google which I should know to avoid!