Endocrine Clinic?? Possible thyroid problems?

[DeadlyLittleMiho]

Hi everyone. I'm 13 weeks pregnant tomorrow and I got a letter today saying I've been referred to see a consultant in the antenatal clinic.

I couldn't make it on the date they gave so rang up to ask for another. I asked the lady on the phone what the appointment was for and she said the endocrine clinic.

I had never heard of this so asked what it was and I could hear her asking around the office and eventually she said they don't know, they're admin (understandable) but she did add that it's high risk. I asked if maybe it was to do with high BMI and she said no because they do that clinic on a different site altogether.

My midwife has already booked my glucose tolerance test and consultant appointment for 28 weeks pregnant, so this one for 13 weeks is out the blue. When I got my booking in bloods taken my midwife did say she wanted to test my thyroid so maybe it's that? Has anyone else been referred to the endocrine clinic before? I've never been referred to any clinics in my other pregnancies so feel a bit vulnerable right now!

thanks in advance for any answers and sorry this post was so long!

[Peaceloveandbiscuits]

Your blood test might have shown an over- or under-active thyroid. It's no biggie, if you need it they'll give you some medication to level out your thyroid hormones. It's important for your baby to get it checked out, but don't worry yourself too much, you'll be fine

[MustShowDH]

How silly of them to say its high risk. Way to panic a pregnant woman! Important might have been a better choice of words.
I am 9 weeks and have had an under active thyroid for about 3 years. Meant to be getting a referral to endocrine clinic as I'm considered 'high risk' according to the tick boxes, but the reality is they just need to keep an eye on things to head off any problems before they occur.

[squizita]

High risk doesn't mean anything will go wrong! It's a technical term. How silly of her to scare you like that.
Thyroid issues are quite common in pregnancy.
I just got a thyroid test at 37 weeks as mine has gotten tired! I have a delightful goiter on my neck grr. Neither my midwife nor my GP batted an eyelid, they are used to prescribing the meds needed.

[squizita]

Oh... and for 36 weeks I was fine! So it doesn't mean issues throughout.

[DeadlyLittleMiho]

Thanks for the replies everyone. They have really reassured me! I wouldn't be surprised if I had an under active thyroid, I feel pretty rubbish/tired all the time, more so than you'd expect this early in pregnancy.

[squizita]

Just to add... rang my mw today who told me ladies on thyroid pills usually have perfectly normal pregnancies and births (was in a flap lol) from birth pools to epidurals - everyone is totally used to such ladies!

[DeadlyLittleMiho]

That's a relief! I've had 5 smooth pregnancies so I was worrying my luck might have run out!

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

I have an underactive thyroid and am currently sitting feeding my 3 week old.

I was seen by endocrine during pregnancy and they just increased my medication. They'll keep an eye on you, regular bloods. I was classed as high risk but had a normal delivery.

[DeadlyLittleMiho]

Pobble that's a lovely image :) If I have a thyroid problem I hope my pregnancy is as straightforward as yours.

Someone on another thread has said they were offered a blood thinner called clexane at an endocrine appointment, because being overweight and pregnant means thicker blood and it can cause clots! I'm now wondering if it's that!

The midwife did mention asprin but that was at the booking in clinic and she never seemed to be too bothered about it. Plus I thought all my 'fat pregnant lady' appointments were later on in pregnancy because I have a consultant appointment scheduled the same day as my glucose tolerance test.

[Peaceloveandbiscuits]

Endocrinology is all about hormones and glands, so it'll be primarily about your thyroid, but they might offer you other treatments alongside it at an endocrine appointment. I'm seeing just the one antenatal consultant throughout my pregnancy for all my health issues (high BMI, hypothyroid and mental health), though the midwife has referred to the endocrinologist when altering my medication.

[squizita]

I spent 35 weeks on Clexane and aspirin- mine was via hematology as I have a pre existing clotting issue, rather than via endocrine. Bit of a (literal) pain in the arse as you have to inject it into your fleshy bits (thighs, belly, bum on rotation) but you soon get used to it and it never gave me any issues. :)
My appointments about pregnancy have all been textbook! This slightly swollen neck has been the 1st time I've had any issue and it looks like they have it all in hand.