15 weeks pregnant, overactive thyroid, dr wants me to take methimazole

[Rubeywednesday]

Hi there,
i've had thyroid nodules for years but its never afffected my TH levels. When i got pregnant this time (other DC is almost 2) it seems i tipped into hyperthyroidism. i have no symptoms but Dr wants me to take a low level dose of methimazole (0.5mg a day) as its supposedly safe in the 2nd trimester. I'm a Brit living in the US and the healthcare here is very.....shall we say 'cautious'? they give medicine out a lot and i have received pre-emptive treatment here for things I know the NHS would adopt a 'wait and watch' approach. I'd love to hear from anyone who took methimazole during pregnancy, especially if you're in the UK. Or just anyone who had an over-active thyroid and how this was managed during pregnancy. Thanks

Hi. I had drug treatment in the UK for Grave's disease 20 odd years ago and had a normal pregnancy while taking propylthiouracil, I think throughout (can't remember!). The endocrine doctors said it was safer to take the medicine to control the symptoms than to be uncontrolled during pregnancy. My ds had normal thyroid levels when he was born.

Hi.

I was diagnosed hyperthyroid/graves disease 3 weeks ago with very severe symptoms.

I am now 13 weeks pregnant.

I am taking propylthiouracil (200g a day).

I'm having regular blood tests to monitor liver and white blood cell levels. I have appointments with an Endocrine specialist and also am having a cardiac ultrasound and 24 heart monitoring next week.

I had my scan today and baby is fine but they told me I have fibroids in my womb.

I feel like my body is falling apart .

Hi Bunny,

That does sound very stressful, you poor thing.

Do you mind if I ask some questions? I'm kind of new to the thyroid thing....

Are the tests (liver and bone marrow) because of the possible side effects of the drug? Are they going to take you off that after your first trimester and give you the other drug? (I think what i'm on is best avoided in the first trimester). Did you have thyroid issues before you got pregnant or is this all new?

It just seems I keep hearing about more and more thyroid problems, where as I thought it was quite a rare thing

Good luck to you

x

Hi Rubey .

I have been having symptoms for the last year, preceding my pregnancy by quite a few months. I have no history of thyroid problems.

I had a very high resting heart rate (130-140 bpm), anxiety, shaky hands, headaches, weight loss. I put off going to the doctor .

I went to my GP one day after my symptoms became even more pronounced. They did an ECG and blood work and sent me straight to hospital where I was admitted and diagnosed. I even have a goitre .

The blood tests are to make sure the drug isn't affecting me negatively. The liver and the white blood cells are the main risks afaik.

I made the mistake of googling propylthyouracil in pregnancy and freaked out about the risks but was reassured by my lovely endocrine consultant that it's perfectly safe so long as it's monitored.

There was mention of beta blockers but the doctors decided not to put me on them which I was pleased about.

I just received the letters today for the cardiac ultrasound etc. I didn't know I was due to have them. It seems like an endless stream of appointments at the moment!

ooh, that is a lot to have on your plate when you just want to enjoy being pregnant!

Good luck with it all. The more googling I do the more common I realise this is, so all I can say is I bet all your doctors have seen it hundreds if times before and you're in safe hands.

I do miss the good old NHS. I have good healthcare here but it costs a bomb

Oh I have been feeling very lucky in that regard! The NHS is a truly amazing resource to have. You don't realise that until you're in a position where you rely on it!

My symptoms have calmed right down now so I'm able to relax more .

Are your symptoms bad?

No symptoms at all, this is why I'm reluctant to take the drugs - even though they tell me its necessary