Will hypothyroidism be dangerous in further PG?

[sneakapeak]

Hi, I was diagnosed around 9 months ago following birth of DD.

It seems to be staying for good as my mum has just been diagnosed too.

Anyway, I have felt some of the symtoms appear lately and my blood results were 4.4 and 14.

Last check they were 2.9 and the other level I have no idea. Seems to be the extra rise has affected me.

I went onto the health thread and someone started going on about how it can lead to other auto immune diseases in the future.

I feel very scared of having this health issue now and wonder if having another baby will make it worse?

I have a beautiful 3 yr old DS and 1 yr old DD so it might be stupid to risk my health for another if this is the case.

Can anyone advise?

i got it with first pregnancy and had it all through second. Think as long as levels well controlled by thyroxine no difference

I've had it since I was 17. When I'm pregnant I have to be monitored carefully with blood tests every 4-6 weeks. I seem to have to go up about 50mcg per day by the middle of my pregnancies and then it is basically stable until I give birth. Then after the birth (a few weeks later) I have a blood test again and usually have to drop back to what I was before the pregnancy. So basically as long as you are monitored, then it isn't a problem. The consultant does try to keep my tsh under 1.5 although I prefer it much lower (well under 1.) It doesn't make any difference to my pregnancies - apart from feeling like a pin cushion! And I don't think my pregnancies have affected my hypothyroidism at all.

Hypothyroidism can be one of a massive number of auto-immune diseases. It can mean you are more likely to have others. I had alopecia (very mildly) for a while and as a child had another auto-immune thing. In my experience, it is just something to think about if you are ill in the future - not something to worry about.

I've had hypothyroid since 15 yr old. I've had 3 healthy children, each pregnancy handled differently but all monitored thyroid levels closely and increased dose of thyroxine each pregnancy. Awell controlled thyroid problem should not have any implications for pregnncy.

I developed Hyopothyroidism after DD2, 6 years ago. DD3 born 14 months ago. I developed gestational diabetes with third pregnancy which meant that I was monitored weekly by an endocrinologist. This meant that they could also monitor my thryroxine levels, which were increased during my pregnancy. If I had not been refered to the hosipital for the diabetes I am not sure that anyone would have picked up that the thryroxine needed to increase during the pregnancy. No one told me however that after the baby I needed to drop thyroxine dose, I was told to wait 6 weeks to be retested but was really poorly after birth with night sweats and racing heart, I put it down to coming down of insulin after the gestational diabetes, it wasn't until sometime later that I found out I had post partum thyroiditus (I was temporarily hyperthyroid).

Overall, the thyroid problem does not affect pregnancy, but I would not rely on a GP to monitor and make sure you get refered to an endocrinologist who can monitor your levels during and post pregnancy.

Thanks everyone, that is reassuring.

Ive since been to the doctor and he said my levels are borderline and he could see I was shattered. He thinks I should double from 50mg to 100mg but wants to do it slowly, 75mg then see.

I wish he had doubled it as I feel awful and want to feel better sooner rather than later.

I worry about the possibility of other autoimmune diseases. Of course MS being one that scares me the most. It's horrible knowing your health could be taken from you . Does this risk increase with age?

I think once you get your thyroxine levels right it won't all seem so bad, you are obviously tired and down. Not sure about age thing but I suppose it gives us all a kick to try and eat well and exercise. Start keeping your own records of what dose you are on and how you feel. In the past my GP has tried to keep it around 2, I managed to persuade them I would feel better nearer 1 so increased dose, it is now about 0.5, most GP's would hate that but fortunately mine is sympathetic and listens to how I feel. I feel great! Good luck.

i was diagnosed with hypothyroidism as part of a bigger auto immune condition aged 21.

conceived both children no problems and enjoyed problem free pregnancies and birth. no long term impact on thyroid.

as everyone has said, the key is that you are monitored closely during pregnancy (monthly blood tests) - but once everything has settled down afterwards you can revert to six monthly/annual tests.

Natural treatment methods will put the woman in an optimal state of health, which can minimize the chance of having a miscarriage or a premature labor. It will help provide the baby with the necessary nutrients, hormones, etc. It is also good to know that natural thyroid can be safely taken during pregnancy.