Underactive Thyroid - Help!!

[Josieandthecats]

Hi all, I've just been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid after doing a random blood test.

T4 was 2
TSH was 18

Im 29 and always tired but do have a 2 month old and was previously working in a very intense job. I am quite thin though (usually a size 6, currently an 8) and have lost almost all the 20kg I put on during pregnancy. Aside from that I wouldn't say I had any noticeable symptoms.

Could it be my hormones regulating post pregnancy or are these levels enough to start taking medication asap as the GP mentioned?

Take the medication.
My hypothyroidism was left untreated due to an error on a registrars part. My health deteriorated to the point of collapse.
you will be monitored regularly after starting medication, then annually, to check your dose is right for you. Congratulations on the birth of your baby. You need to stay in the best of health so you are fully able to look after your little one.

If left untreated, though, hypothyroidism can lead to many complications. These include heart problems, nerve injury, infertility and in severe cases, death

Well my doctor broke it to me like this, "I've got good news and bad news, the good news is you will never have to pay for a prescription again, the bad news is your on thyroid meds for the rest of your life." That was as dramatic as it got, I've been on levothyroxine for 16 years, very quickly made me feel better and improved my energy levels.

If you have to have something hypothyroidism isn't the worst.

Take the medication. My only symptom was not being able to conceive. I’m sure I’d have had more if I’d left it longer.

Take the medication! I don't have any side effects at all

They're not borderline results so definitely not a watch and wait scenario

My TSH was 97 and they gave me 25mg of levothyroxine and told me to come back in 6 months. Be glad they're taking it seriously, take the medication and prevent any further problems. If your tsh continues to rise or is unstable you may wish to pay privately for something like Armour Thyroid which is far better than levo

Like you, I didn’t have symptoms, and felt ok. I am medicated. It’s definitely not a wait and watch thing. They will monitor every 1 or 2 months initially to see how you are reacting to the drugs and tweak as required, then yearly once on the straight and narrow.
Don’t ignore it.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Does the medication affect fertility or have any major side effects? I'm just so shocked, I'd love to have more children in the future and this has just come out of the blue and knocked me for six.

Are there any other lifestyle changes I should be aware of in addition to taking the meds?

No, the medication won't affect your fertility, it's just replacing the hormone that you are under producing. However,not taking it could very well affect your fertility. Your thyroid is a very important gland, and is vital to many aspects of your body running effectively.
It's quite common for under activity to be triggered by pregnancy/childbirth, it's what set mine off over 20 years ago, but I was at higher risk anyway as my mum had Graves' disease. Luckily, if that's what has triggered it, you've not been under active too long (hence the absence of symptoms) and once you're on the right thyroxine dose you will be all good. You will be probably be started off at 25mg (maybe 50), then have a blood test to see where you're at, and meds adjusted accordingly. You will then have blood tests several times a year to keep an eye on your levels. Good luck!

And yes, your TSH is at a level that needs immediate treatment. It should ideally be between 0.2 and 4

Fellow sufferer here. Like you I was diagnosed at a very slim and fit size 6, four years ago. A lot bigger now, but I have a healthy toddler and another on the way (albeit with extra checks and growth scans). As long as your medication is monitored and your TSH levels are "optimal" (below 2) you shouldn't have trouble conceiving. Good luck and all the best x