Hashimoto’s and pregnancy

[LW678]

Currently trying to become pregnant after being diagnosed with Hashimotos. TSH 9.1 and TPO antibodies 144. Curious as to whether those in the same boat managed to conceive ok and have a healthy pregnancy with a healthy baby? Just started taking 50mcg of levothyroxine

Hi OP,

I have Hashimotos too. To conceive and to carry a healthy pregnancy, your TSH needs to be between 1-2. A TSH between 2.5-4 is not ideal, but it is okay. Any higher and you have a very high risk of miscarriage. I found this out the hard way with my first pregnancy, as my TSH was 4.2 and I lost the baby as a result. I had to wait three months until my TSH was down to 2 before trying to conceive again.

If the pregnancy doesn’t miscarry, there are also sadly potential risks of developmental issues with the baby’s brain. The baby relies on mothers TSH for the first 13 weeks of pregnancy as baby thyroid doesn’t start working until second trimester, so it’s really vital that your thyroid is strong and working well before pregnancy to give the baby the best start.

50mcg also sounds like quite a low dose for such a high TSH. Although from experience the GP starts on the lowest dose (50mcg) and tend to add 25mcg incrementally until they’ve gotten to the right dosage, so it could take some time until you’re down to a TSH of 2.

It tends to take at least 6 weeks before doctors can really assess whether the levothyroxine dose is high enough, I’d suggest asking for a follow up in 2 months to see what your TSH is after you’ve gotten used to the meds. If it’s still high they will increase your dose. Let your GP know you want to try for a baby so that they can help get your thyroid in a strong place pre pregnancy.

With all of this in mind, I would put TTC on hold for the next 6 months or so, until your TSH is stable and consistently showing the same number, and that will put you in the best possible place for having a strong and healthy pregnancy.

@SpringHasSprung2024 hello! Sorry to hear about your loss. I’ve unfortunately suffered two losses, the last one being in November when I had a missed miscarriage. I had my bloods checked because of this and this is when it was flagged up. We are absolutely desperate to have a baby and I’ve got a blood test booked for 2 weeks time. I am hoping and praying my levels have decreased by a substantial amount meaning we can try for our longed for baby

My T4 results were 14… is this normal/ raised/ low? I’ve read a lot about TSH but unsure about T4!

So sorry to hear about your losses too, I really hope you’re coping okay. Just to reassure you, once your thyroid is stable, you will be in a much stronger place physically to have a baby. I have two children now, it’s just that I had to really stabilise my thyroid before I was able to safely have my eldest. Worth mentioning that diet can really support with this too, I cut all gluten and caffeine (gluten in particular really damages the thyroid), and I don’t eat any dairy within four hours of taking levothyroxine. I always wait at least 45 minutes before I eat, ideally 1 hour, after I’ve taken the medicine.

I think that’s very slightly higher than the normal range.

Thank you, that’s really useful. I’ve cut out most gluten but haven’t gone completely gluten free (little steps haha!)

It’s really tough! But worth it. Reframe it as poisonous to your body, that’s the only way I managed! Happy to help if you have any other questions. Another thing that really helped alleviate my symptoms, and also have both healthy pregnancies, was acupuncture x

Thank you x

I’m not sure if you know of any information about this but I’ve read babies born to mothers with hashimotos are more likely going to have intellectual development difficulties or ASD. What’s your opinion out of interest?

Yes that is the case if the mothers TSH is above 4 during pregnancy. There are quite a few medical papers online I recall, this was a few years ago now.

Once you have a healthy TSH, the probability of these outcomes is the same as every other pregnant woman with a normally functioning thyroid. Anecdotally, both of my children are neurotypical.

Thank you for the information, really useful to hear opinions.

I started the medication on the 12th Feb, my TSH was 9.1 when I had my bloods taken on 15th January. My next blood test is 26th March. How quickly does the levothyroxine take to work? Desperately wanting to try to conceive this month but just curious as to what my TSH levels may be, do you have any idea how quickly they lower?

TSH is now 2.35 after 6 weeks of levothyroxine!

Another follow up, I’m 6 weeks pregnant!

Just came across your thread looking for similar experiences as I have high TSH and just started levothyroxine. Congratulations on your pregnancy!! What have they said about monitoring your levels during pregnancy?

@Holmcross my dose has been upped by 25mcg and I have a blood test in the next few weeks to see what the levels are looking like x

@LW678 how are you getting on ? :)
im 9 weeks on Saturday and managed to get my level down from 5.5 when first found out I was pregnant to 3.8 a couple of weeks after. Have my follow up blood test tomorrow to see if it’s come down even further. I’m worried about my antibodies too which are 280 however I can’t see much online about what those antibodies actually do to a pregnancy .. ! Hope you are well!

@catmumma84 congratulations on your pregnancy! I had a blood test on Wednesday and my results show my TSH is now 1.25 which I am over the moon about. To be honest the endocrinologist said there’s nothing we can do about antibodies and didn’t seem concerned, I also can’t find any research that suggests antibodies cause a miscarriage x

@LW678 congratulations on yours too :)! That’s great news!! I really hope I get the same when my results come back. How many weeks are you now?
I have an appointment with the endo on the 5th June but I’m sure he will say the same as what you’ve just said, thanks for the heads up, that’s put my mind at rest a little!
I think I saw you said your tsh was 9 ish at the beginning of your journey, so was mine! And managed to get down to 5.5 ish when I actually conceived. Obviously I don’t want to be given false hope but it’s really disheartening when people say you won’t have a successful pregnancy if your tsh is above 4 etc - but hopefully we are both examples that this is not true… 🙏🏼

@catmumma84 oooh let me know what they say! Did your levothyroxine get upped when you found out you were pregnant? I was on 50mcg but now on 75mcg. I’m nearly 11 weeks now. Had a scan at nearly 9 weeks and baby was doing brilliantly x

@LW678 I’ll let you know! Yeah I was on 75mg to get to 5.5 I think but now I’m up to 125mg a day and I’ve cut out gluten from reading somewhere that might help too… really hoping for some positive news !
ahh that’s amazing we’re due really close together then! We also had a private scan at 8 weeks and all was measuring perfect, it’s so reassuring isn’t it.. almost your 12 week scan then 🥰

@catmumma84 sounds like you’re on a good dose and your level should be right down now. You must be due near Christmas? My 12 week scan is next Friday.. I’ll be 11+5 x

Many congratulations OP. Please keep us posted with updates. Best wishes xx

@LW678 So exciting ! Please let us know how it goes ☺️ yes due 28th dec 🫣 I’m guessing you’re around the 14th? Hope you don’t go too overdue 😆 I was ten days late being born … 🎄 x

Thanks @PurpleReindeer2 !
@catmumma84 yep due on the 14th, imagine if you have a little Christmas Day baby!

@LW678 hope you’re doing well? :)
I just had my bloods back and tsh is now 0.77, can’t believe it!