Hyperthyroidism & conceiving

[Takinliberties]

Hello there, I am really hoping I will get a bit of a thread going with this because I am really struggling and need others to talk to have experienced the same thing. I was diagnosed hyperthyroid in August after a scary trip to A&E via ambulance due to a Tachycardia. Had symptoms for some months prior but just thought I was anxious and stressed due to my job. I was on 20mg Carbimazole which was increased to 25mg recently as I started to feel unwell again. My plan before this nightmare was to fall pregnant with baby no2 which I fear now may never happen. I am just feeling so low that this condition has driven a bulldozer through my life. I have an endo appointment in December but until then just need some advice from others. Please be kind I am already feeling a bit wobbly. Thank you xxx

TSH is 00.1
T4 is 27
T3 30.1

Hi. I have been hoping to find anyone else thats TTC with hyperthyroidism. DH and I have been TTC for almost a year and because I am 35, once you have been trying for 6 months, our NHS board recommend testing. My thyroid tests came back showing hyperthyroidism and my day 21 progesterone tests have all been too low. I started treatment today and I have an endocrine clinic appointment in december too. Really hoping to find someone in my situation that has gotten pregnant following a diagnosis or someone who is on a similar journey as me. I have no advice but definitely in a similar situation as this would be number 2 for us too.

You may find a few more people going through or been through similar if you go to thyroiduk.org site and go to the link to join the online community. I’ve found it a great help since my hypothyroid diagnosis, I’ve got the opposite problem, my FT3 just won’t increase.

@jellyfish2210 I successfully conceived with hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease). I was told that your thyroid levels need to be at a normal level to conceive. Not actually sure mine were but I did and she’s currently snoring next to me! Make sure you’re taking PTU rather than carbimazole if you’re ttc as carbimazole can be dangerous in the early stages. I took PTU for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy then my graves improved so I was off medication for a bit and then back on carbimazole at the end. Also make sure you get very regular blood tests as levels change a lot during pregnancy. I did actually go private initially because I found the NHS endocrinologist a bit hopeless. My private endocrinologist wrote to my dr to tell them exactly what tests I needed and I got the tests done on the NHS which saved a lot of money! The other thing if you’ve just been diagnosed is to get your antibodies tested so you know the cause. It’s likely either graves or hashimotos but they need different treatment.
Hope you get things sorted and manage to conceive. Please ask away if you have any questions. I remember how scary and stressful it was.

I conceived easily with mediated hypothyroidism. I had one successful pregnancy, 1 early and 1 late miscarriage and 2 incidences of preeclampsia but I think that's more inherited than due to the hypothyroidism.

Oh sorry I see you have the opposite. Ignore my post!

I have an endocrinology appointment a week tomorrow. My GP has started me on PTU. Not sure of side effects but I now have really dry skin and a rash on my hands along with a sore stomach. Struggling with taking them three times a day. Setting a timer to remember but still a struggle. I've been told the clinic here is really good so hoping once I get seen then can get levels sorted out. We only took three cycles to get pregnant with DD, she will be 5 next month. Nice to hear of someone who has managed to conceive, thanks for sharing

Pls can you tell me who you saw privately? Currently going through this with TTC. Thank you. X

@BAST1 it was Dr Malcom Prentice at Parkside Practice, Wimbledon.
Good luck! I know exactly how stressful it is.

@BAST1 and others. My story.

I was diagnosed with severe graves in 1990. I was 30 and it coincided with my engagement and we were keen to crack on with a family. I therefore pushed for a subtotal thyroidectomy because I wanted the overactivity dealt with as completely as possible and I didn't want to take the radioactive iodine route (I believe this is no longer offered to women who are of childbearing age). I had surgery privately.

For about 30 years I took 100mcg thyroxine daily and now take 112.5mcg.
Entirely problem free generally.

Once sorted I conceived very easily. I did have some miscarriages and believe this is a recognised link now. I also understand they are much better at testing TSH and titrating the dose of levothyroxine nowadays which they didn't do 30 years ago.

The children are now nearly 30 and 26. All was well and I believe thyroid and pregnancy is much better understood now.

The British Thyroid Foundation ha e always been very informative and helpful and I believe they have a helpline for thyroid problems in pregnancy.