Pg with under-active thyroid?

[Christelle2207]

Hi, I have been TTC for 1 yr, eventually got diagnosed underactive with TSH of 8.9, started 25mg levothyroxin in October. Am convinced that thyroid had something to do with difficulty getting pg but that's another thread.

5 weeks later (4 weeks ago) it had come down to 5.5, dosage (after pushing for it) increased to 50mg, then last week I got my BFP!! I am now between 5 and 6 weeks, I think.

Going for next blood test on Wednesday. GP seems to think that under 4 is ok but dr google is convinced that if pg you need to aim for between 1 and 2.5.
Worried that she won't give me any more prescription if I get down to about 4 though has admitted that I need to get checked more regularly when pg.

Any others out there with hypothyroid- what TSH is safe in pg and do I need to worry about my baby (other than normal worrying of course!)

Thanks

[MyLittleAprilSunshine]

I don't know a lot about it, I must confess. I have always had a very borderline thyroid, which is a bit of a nightmare. Being slightly above 2.5 wont put your baby at risk, but you don't want to be above it by a lot. The GP probably doesn't want to put you on too high of a dose of medication when pregnant, which is understandable. You need to keep the communication going and find a right balance of healthy for the baby and best for you.

[DontSayWhatSayPardon]

Get referred to a consultant early on. I was told by 2 consultants that tsh needs to be below 1 in pregnancy. 2 GPs have told me 2-3 is fine. Fortunately because I'd seen a specialist I could push back on the GPs. Tbh I don't actually know the effects of TSH being slightly too high in pregnancy. I don't think it harms the baby, I think it's the mother that suffers with the usual symptoms. But either way best to get dose right if you can. Good luck.

[Tugstonia]

Agree you should be referred to an endo or obstetric consultant asap. In my experience GPs tend to think TSH below 5 is 'normal' but actually should be in the lower range (0.5 to 2) in pregnancy and tested/monitored much more regularly than normal. Do you know what your T4 level is? You usually need 30-50% more thyroxine in pregnancy. Bear in mind it takes 4-6 weeks for the levels to adjust so possibly your next blood test will show TSH has come down again. Don't hold back on pushing for more regular tests or specialist advice - you know yourself better than any doctor.

[RileyTheLittleMonster]

Hello, I'm about 6 weeks and I've got an iver active thyroid! I've not seen any one yet as my first appointment isn't until 27th, but my Gp said I need to be seen ASAP. Do It's worth seeing someone and congratulations!

[worsestershiresauce]

Push to see an endocrinologist asap - if you get deferred onto a standard waiting list ring your midwife unit and get them to push things forward. Pre 12 weeks if your levels are way off it can adversely affect the baby. Post 12 weeks the baby makes its own thyroxine, so although you may feel dreadful it will be fine. Early monitoring matters, and many GPs are not up to speed on this.

It is normal for dose to be raised by 50% on BFP.

Don't let them ignore you, keep calling until someone takes notice.

[DejaB00]

You need to be referred. I developed hypothyroidism after having DS and have been on 100micrograms/day for 2 years (I have a very lazy thyroid!). The endocrinologist told me I'd have to get referred again as soon as ttc again, which we will be as soon as my implant is removed next week, and gp has already agreed to the referral. As far as I understand it you need a higher dose when pregnant, hypothyroidism does not harm baby but could harm you.

[BartletForTeamGB]

www.endo-society.org/guidelines/final/upload/Clinical-Guideline-Management-of-Thyroid-Dysfunction-during-Pregnancy-Postpartum.pdf

These are the guidelines we use. Yes, in pregnancy (and ideally when TTC), we aim for TSH < 2.5. You should be referred to an endocrinologist, although a GP should (but I appreciate doesn't always) be able to manage this in the meantime. It is really, really common for your dose to increase significantly during pregnancy.

[worsestershiresauce]

No, hypothyroidism CAN harm the baby pre-12 weeks, when the foetus is entirely reliant on maternal levels. Post 12 weeks it isn't a problem, but early monitoring really does matter.

[digerd]

If the Hypo is very low in Thyroxine, as was my sister's, she had no periods at all for 4 months. Supplementing with Thyroxine surely will avoid any problems if dosage is correct.
Very Overactive, as I was, also stopped my periods for months. It depends on how serious it has become. Underactive is easier to treat than Overactive, especially when pregnant.
Riley
Your Gp must refer you as urgent. Not sure how it affects the baby, but the danger is to you depending on how overactive your Thyroid is, as causes increased heart and metabolic rate among other problems

[BartletForTeamGB]

"No, hypothyroidism CAN harm the baby pre-12 weeks, when the foetus is entirely reliant on maternal levels. Post 12 weeks it isn't a problem, but early monitoring really does matter."

Just to clarify worsestershiresauce's statement:

We know that untreated hypothyroidism can be harmful both before and after 12 weeks, although I'd reckon that there were minimal risks associated with a TSH of 5.5. That's why we tend to treat it a bit more aggressively in pregnant women than we might normally. It is also important that TSH levels are maintained

[Christelle2207]

thank you all, esp Bartlet, was feeling slightly alarmed bt some responses. GP made it clear that it would take at least three weeks to see how levothyrixin was working and that giving me more than 50 mg without knowing what effect it was having may send me "over" active instead. also i think a good chance my levels will be a lot lower than 5.5 this time anyway so not going to panic but will ask for referral, if GP not keen i have private insurance so may go down that route.

[BartletForTeamGB]

Your GP is right about not checking TSH any more frequently than 4-6 weeks after a dose adjustment, so that doesn't concern me. Because your thyroxine requirements do go up in the first trimester, your TSH might not have shifted that much, but I don't think it is much to worry about. You'll just need more thyroxine and a referral to an endocrinologist (which should be on the NHS, your GP must refer you whether or not he/she is keen!). Most hospitals have joint diabetes/endocrine antenatal clinics with the obstetricians seeing you as well in the same clinic.

www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=1120927771&linkID=74028&cook=no&mentor=1

www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=x20110412170927938474&linkID=74051&cook=no&mentor=1

[mercibucket]

I am no expert but it sounds like we have one on this thread, which is ace

Yes, your underactive thyroid could well have played a role in the time taken to conceive

Normally on levo you would want a tsh below 1 and t4 top of the range, possibly over.

Then, with those levels, you would increase by 25mg immediately on finding out you are pregnant, then increase further as needed based on blood tests throughout pregnancy and after speaking to the consultant

So, based on your results, yes, you are going to need a pretty quick increase in meds, but as you've got the blood test on weds, wait til then, and then start the increase. Well, that's what I'd do.

Do you have a copy of -understanding thyroid disorders' by dr toft (endocrinologist, specialising in thyroid, published by bma)? You can get it in boots. P 55 as soon as you are pregnant, visit your doctor who will probably increase your thyroxine dose by 25 mg. Show this to your GP. It says it is most important in early pregnancy.

[mercibucket]

I am no expert but it sounds like we have one on this thread, which is ace

Yes, your underactive thyroid could well have played a role in the time taken to conceive

Normally on levo you would want a tsh below 1 and t4 top of the range, possibly over.

Then, with those levels, you would increase by 25mg immediately on finding out you are pregnant, then increase further as needed based on blood tests throughout pregnancy and after speaking to the consultant

So, based on your results, yes, you are going to need a pretty quick increase in meds, but as you've got the blood test on weds, wait til then, and then start the increase. Well, that's what I'd do.

Do you have a copy of -understanding thyroid disorders' by dr toft (endocrinologist, specialising in thyroid, published by bma)? You can get it in boots. P 55 as soon as you are pregnant, visit your doctor who will probably increase your thyroxine dose by 25 mg. Show this to your GP. It says it is most important in early pregnancy.

[BartletForTeamGB]

"Normally on levo you would want a tsh below 1 and t4 top of the range, possibly over."

This isn't right in normal circumstances. Assuming primary hypothyroidism, we just watch TSH aiming for it to be in the lower half of the normal range (so usually less than 2.5) and don't really watch T4.

If you have an underactive thyroid because of pituitary problems, then we watch T4 (because TSH, which comes from the pituitary, is going to be completely unreliable), aiming for it to be in the upper half of the normal range.

The Endocrine Society guidelines are based on the most up to date research and consensus so those are what to brandish to the GP!

[mercibucket]

Lol Bartett, I am guessing you are on the other side of the fence, so to speak, and you know what most hypo people on the net think of the endocrine society and its guidelines, but I don't want to fight over the whole tsh thing on this thread. If you don't know what people think of it, watch the youtube vid about the holy tsh.

The important thing for the op in this case is that her tsh is already nowhere near either 2.5 or under 1, and an immediate increase in meds is called for when pregnant.

I still highly recommend that book as an easy for your GP to understand reference. My GPs eyes glaze over when I produce endo society guidelines, clinical knowledge summaries, bma best practice etc.

[mercibucket]

Lol Bartett, I am guessing you are on the other side of the fence, so to speak, and you know what most hypo people on the net think of the endocrine society and its guidelines, but I don't want to fight over the whole tsh thing on this thread. If you don't know what people think of it, watch the youtube vid about the holy tsh.

The important thing for the op in this case is that her tsh is already nowhere near either 2.5 or under 1, and an immediate increase in meds is called for when pregnant.

I still highly recommend that book as an easy for your GP to understand reference. My GPs eyes glaze over when I produce endo society guidelines, clinical knowledge summaries, bma best practice etc.

[BartletForTeamGB]

I'm well aware of what a very small but vocal number of people think about TSH! That is not the view held by reputable biochemists and endocrinologists across the world!

Her TSH really isn't far off (I've seen far more impressive TSHs in pregnant women!) and she is having it appropriately monitored by her GP and then, we hope, by an endocrinologist, and will have it treated appropriately, we hope.

I don't think scaring the OP is very helpful when really we are just talking about optimising things rather than having to rush into major treatment changes.

[mercibucket]

Well, if you see an increase of 25mg as a major treatment change, I don't really know what to say to that. Or the idea of waiting til after the blood tests on wednesday before starting the increase as rushing.

Anyway, as it will not be helpful to the op to argue, and as we are saying more or less the same thing in any case, I will bow out of the thread. I will however say that it is important with NHS care to push for the treatment that is recommended, as it is far to easy to fall through the gaps. As the increase in meds is most important in early pregnancy, it is good that the op is being proactive and finding out what needs to be done.

Incidentally, as the op has just started her levo treatment, it is normal practice to test t4 alongside tsh. I assume the GP is already doing this.

Op, as an aside, have you also had your ferritin, b12, folates and vit d levels tested? There could be room for improvement on those as at least one is often low when hypothyroid and it is best practice to get them tested. You would take vit d anyway during pregnancy but I would ask for a blood test to check levels as you might benefit from a larger than normal dose.

Op, I really hope I do not come across as scare-mongering to you. I would just like you to have optimal treatment and wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy

[BartletForTeamGB]

Checking T4 in hypothyroidism is not normal practice. Doubling up the dose of levothyroxine in the last few weeks in borderline hypothyroidism does need to be monitored & it sounds like that is happening.

You clearly have your own views about the management of hypothyroidism in pregnancy but I suggest we leave this to people who are caring for the patient in real life & have both the qualifications (which I certainly have) and the full facts of the patient's history, examination & results.

[worsestershiresauce]

Bartlet - you sound like a clued up health professional, but unfortunately many of us do not have people such as yourself monitoring our pregnancy. My GP referred me on and took no further role. My referral ended up on a standard NHS waiting list, so it just sat there for months. In the end I saw a private obstetrician about something else who was horrified that my hypothyroidism was being ignored. He wrote to my GP, who agreed to raise my dose 50%, but did not chase things with the endocrinologist. Eventually I rang the birthing unit, and the midwife managed to get me fast tracked up the waiting list. I finally got to see someone at 26 weeks. Pretty poor I think you'll agree.

It is entirely possible my baby has been harmed, so I don't think I am scare mongering when I tell people to take control of this themselves, chase things up themselves, and not blindly trust the health professionals. Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is not something all GPs are up to speed on. I actually had to explain it all to a friend of mine who is a qualified GP. She had a hazy idea that thyroxine dose should be raise 'a bit', but not why it was important.

[Christelle2207]

Ladies, I really did not want to cause an argument! I do appreciate all your thoughts though. The bottom line is that my dose was doubled just after I became pregnant (though didn't know it) and Wednesday is exactly three weeks after I started the 50mg so testing before then probably wouldn't give a clear picture as to how much TSH was improving. Therefore my plan is to push for further dose of levo (unless I have gone below 2) and referral to endocrinologist.

sauce I'm sorry you had a shitty experience and hope that your baby is ok. I'm not going to panic now but will make sure I get on the right track when I speak to gp after blood test results.

bartlet assuming I do get the issue fixed over the next few weeks and in the event my TSH has not (yet) improved, would you still say the risk of problems related to this are low?

[BartletForTeamGB]

worsestershiresauce, I entirely agree that Christelle needs to be seen by an endocrinologist and have given her links that confirm this should the GP be reluctant. It really wouldn't worry me not seeing her until the 27th, as long as bloods are being checked every 4-6 weeks and levothyroxine is adjusted to aim for then maintain TSH

[Christelle2207]

Bartlet I really appreciate your advice, didnt expect to find an expert on here but clearly did. Will update!

[Christelle2207]

Hi, well after 3 weeks on 50mg, my TSH is down to 3.9 and gp thinks under 4 is "normal range". This may be so but I pointed out the guidelines from the society (need under 2.5 when pg) which he kind of acknowledged. He didn't want to increase my dose, believing that my levels are on a "downward slant" and probably haven't levelled since my increase in dose, this I understand after just 3 weeks. But on pushing he did increase me to 75mg. Won't refer me :-( but did ask me to bring it up with midwife (appt is next week as it happens) who may apparentley send me to either an obstetrician or endocrinologist.
Meanwhile I am to go back for tsh test every month.