B-12 deficiancy and under active thyroid - big problems for baby?

[newtoallthis1974]

I posted this in my thread about my social anxiety/shyness, but thought with it being more of a separate subject maybe it should have a new thread... so another thing i've read up on that worries me, is that people with underactive thyroid and people with B12 deficiancy can have serious problems in pregnancy and have a baby with birth defects and/or low intelligence.... well i have both an underactive thyroid (take 150 a day) and have bi-monthly injections of B12 (both of which have been for 10 years and will be for life).... am i looking at serious problems???? And yes i know, i need to go to the doctors with my partner, we will.. But my mum seems to now be pushing me towards termination.. she thinks she's subtle in her hints that i wont cope and have too much health problems... But i dont know - i dont think i could do that. But also worry i wont cope with having it, but i guess it's natural for a first time mum to be scared. I keep worrying about how i will manage taking the baby/toddler/child to the doctors and all the official places you have to, when i've never been good at coping with that even for myself..
The babies due date is the same one i should have been born on - xmas day. I'm a bit bewildered and crying a lot. I'm 39, i feel this is my only chance.... but i am terrified.

This is what the NHS page says about thyroid and pregnancy
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Thyroid-under-active/Pages/Complications.aspx

[mercibucket]

your thyroid condition is being treated so it is fine. same for b12
i dont know about b12, but with thyroid you need to increase your dose during pregnancy. it is especially important early in pregnancy so get a blood test asap and increase meds accordingly.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

I have an under active thyroid and I'm 25 weeks pregnant.

It shouldn't be a problem as long as you're kept an eye on. I have bloods every trimester and my thyroid dose was increased by my endocrinologist who I saw quite quickly. I also get an extra scan and I'm consultant led at the moment.

If not treated correctly then baby's development can be affected and there is a risk of miscarriage but if treated then it shouldn't be a problem. They like your TSH to be low.

But you have to see a doctor.

[Weegiemum]

I've got pernicious anaemia (B12 deficiency) and also Vit D deficiency.

I take daily supplements for vit D and have monthly injections for B12.

These are part of a serious life limiting neuro disorder I have.

[ISeeShapes]

I also have B12 injections every two weeks - I have had two healthy babies at full term whilst having these injections. I also developed underactive thyroid during my second pregnancy and was put on medication during the pregnancy. As previous posters have said as long as it is monitored it should be fine.

[newtoallthis1974]

Ok thank you for the reassurances, i think i'm just scared of everything at the moment (it is only day 3 of knowing i'm pregnant after all!) and over worrying every little thing - though i am a born worrier...

[Jcb77]

Don't worry about conditions that are treated (your thyroid and B12) causing problems. The whole point is that they are treated. So you are to all intents 'normal' from that point of view. You need to make sure that you're taking enough thyroxine in pregnancy and the amount you need can change (usually up, but mine's gone down :-/). It's untreated hypothyroidism that causes the low intelligence problems etc. So see your gp soon to get some baseline bloods done. And probably to have a chat about your anxiety too. It can be paralysing and get worse in pregnancy with all the (normal) hormones and life changes that it entails.

I'm sure your mum is just worried about you, but please make sure you actually know the facts about what (if any) effect your medical problems might have on you and your baby before making any decisions. It sounds at the moment as if you might be panicking completely unnecessarily.

[Fairylea]

Please don't worry about your thyroid problems. They are being treated correctly so should have no bearing on your baby at all. I have severe under active thyroid and I take 200mg thyroxine a day and I have had two children, the eldest of which is now 11 and she is top in her class in everything :) so certainly hasn't done her any harm (my youngest child is under 2).

I'm sure everything will be fine.

[LadyGoneGaga]

You will be referred to consultant led care and they will keep a bit of a closer eye on you but really it will be fine. I have Hypothyroidism and am currently pregnant with my third healthy baby. And my sister has Pernicious Anaemia and also had three healthy babies. No reason to be concerned. It's all manageable stuff.

[JustMarriedBecca]

I have an under active thyroid as I got pregnant 6 days after a total thyroidectomy. The first 12 weeks are the most critical so get yourself to the Dr pronto and you'll be referred to a specialist baby thyroid consultant. You'll also have your antibodies checked and probably have to be on a labour ward rather than in the pool or whatnot. My medication has gone up during pregnancy but judging by your comments and the veeeeeeery long chat I had with a consultant yesterday you ARE BEING TREATED and therefore your thyroid is as normal or better than anyone's on the street. The risk is where you have an under or over active thyroid but are not being treated.

As for your Mum suggesting a termination.....that is outrageous and how DARE she?

[blamber]

Yes, as they others said it's undiagnosed hypothyroidism that can cause problems, so if the TSH is way too high. As you are already on meds you're fine.

I would see the GP though, to talk about increasing your dosage. You may need more in the first 12 weeks, starting from week 6 or so. For instance, I was on 100 mcg a day, but the endo told me to increase it to 125 mcg. My bloods were checked as part of the book in appointment with the midwife between 8-10 weeks and I am now waiting for the result.

[blamber]

Justmarried, there is no reason you can't use the pool with hypothyroidism/ pernicious anaemia if there are no other issues!

[Jcb77]

And also, in (this area at least) hypothyroidism is managed by GPs rather than consultant led. It's just a blood test every few months then upping/downing the dose as required. The key thing is to get the first set of bloods done soon, as the first trimester is most important for little one. Again, please don't worry about it - you are being treated (so potentially better off than someone who is undisguised or borderline hypothyroid).

[Jcb77]

Erm.... Undiagnosed. Silly phone.

[dolicapax]

I am also hypothyroid, and had a healthy full term baby aged 40. As everyone has said you need your thyroxine dose increased immediately. Your GP can do this before you see an endocrinologist (I was on a waiting list until 27 weeks, which is sadly not unusual).

What I did was go to the GP armed with copies of the relevant info from the web. My dose was increased by 50% immediately. Don't sit and wait if they are being slow, make a fuss, it is important.

[Jcb77]

Erm, you DON'T necessarily need it increasing immediately. You do need your levels checking smartish, but some people don't need an increase and some people need a reduction. It is usual to need an increase but not absolute. You need to know what your own TSH levels are, and go from there. Hyperthyroidism is bad for pregnancy too, so don't be increasing just because. But do find out.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

Yep, I agree. Generally it's increased by at least 25% but not necessarily. It's important you get some baseline bloods taken so you know what your T4 and TSH are and then have them done every trimester.

Mine was increased automatically because I'd mc, and my levels on the new dose are perfect. I see an obstetric/endo team and am high risk so not allowed to give birth in the mw led unit with the pool etc. although I think that's partly due to haemorrhaging last time.

How are you OP? Have you seen your GP yet?