Hypothyroidism

[BeccaF81]

Hi,

I am now 14 weeks and after chasing for my blood test results been told by the receptionist at my GPs that I need to be treated with thyroxine.

I am feeling completely alone, has anyone else been diagnosed so late?? Suppose I am quite upset that the first test they did without my knowledge was at 6 weeks at the hospital and they only got round to further testing at 13 weeks.

All the information on the internet seems quite negative, damaged caused etc etc and apparantly my TSH levels are high, above 10, but according to the receptionist my second set of results are quite a bit of an improvement!!!!!

I am off to see the GP tonight, which I wouldnt have been if I hadnt chased up these results myself, was meant to wait for the results till my next hospital appoint but obviously these results dont seem to have flagged any worry within antenatal dept.....suppose I just want to properly understand the implications.

Hi Becca sorry to hear of your current problems. I am hypothyroid, having originally been diagnosed in 1998 and have been on thyroxine since then. In my 2nd pregnancy in 2008 the 3 tests that they did I was low again and resulted in me having an increase in meds so that I ended up on 200mcg daily (having always previously been on 150mcg daily).

I saw an endocrinologist (paid to go privately as it would have been about another 8 weeks wait on NHS at the time) and he said that the levels I had would not result in any problems for the baby - I don't have my results with me but I know they were quite low again and that I was at least 14 weeks before they even realised and I had been chasing aswell, originally to have the test done and then to get the results.

Interestingly, when I had my DD 10 wks ago throughout that pregnancy my levels were pretty good, and so I wondered if the fact that I had to take so much gaviscon had affected the absorption of the thyroxine with DS2 in 2008 thus resulting in much higher levels needed.

Good luck with your appointment xxx

hope you get some proper explanation tonight about this, that is rather shoddy :(

I'm hoping I can offer some info/reassurance.

According to the NHS CKS website, your TSH should be between 0.4 - 2.0 while pregnant. Hopefully that 2nd set of results you mentioned won't be showing such a high reading as the 1st one.... Once they've started you on thyroxine you should start to feel like you're got your get up and go back again! :) They should monitor your bloods at least every trimester, first test should be done approx 4-6 weeks after starting treatment.

Make sure you get bloods done around 34 weeks - some research from a Dutch university in 2009 suggested that if your levels aren't right it can lead to longer/more difficult labours (FWIW mine was 1.4 at 34 weeks and I had a 12 hour labour with no interventions).

Oh and being on thyroxine will not affect breastfeeding - it only tops you up to where you're supposed to be and so being on it won't affect your baby.

Try not to worry too much, there are plenty of hypothyroid mumsnetters with healthy happy babies! :)

Good luck with your appointment :)

Hypothyroid here too - you will feel much better when you are medicated.

Other thing to note is they will probably want to switch you to Consultant led care. i tend to alternate midwife and consultants appointments. and may give you more regular scans depending on what the cause of your hypothyroidism is 9tehy can test for that by checking whetehr you have anti-thyroid antibodies - may be worth mentioning to your GP as that has potential to be more harmful and needs closer monitoring)

I've had hypothyroidism for many years. While I'm pregnant I have to have blood tests every 6 weeks or so and keep my TSH below 1.5. It means that I have to take extra thyroxine - at the moment I'm on 150mcg per day.

My big advice would be to stay away from google! One big issue with hypothyroidism is early miscarriage, but as you are 14+ weeks that problem has passed. Take the thyroxine and have regular blood tests and all should be fine. It is not good that you had to chase these results, but now that you know you can start treatment right away and get it sorted quickly.

I hope it all goes well with the doctor tonight. If you aren't happy, try to get a referral to a consultant.

Thank you for all the support!!!

The GP actually has been very helpful and she was a little disgruntled that the hospital has not managed my treatment/diagnosis very well. When I had rung up for my results the receptionist had made her aware that I had been left hanging by the hospital, and bless the receptionist, she made sure I was booked in with the same GP she had made her concerns known to on the Friday! So as soon as I walked in the GP knew immediately what she was dealing with therefore not frustrating me with a million pointless questions.

My results showed my TSH was still above 6 from the latest results and she didnt want to mess around waiting for the hospital so has given me a prescription straight away. The consultant at the hospital who had asked for the blood tests did thankfully ask for anti thyroid antibodies to be included which has come back negative.

The GP also stated that the hypothyrodism seems to be because of the pregnancy as I had, had a thyroid function test which came back completely normal a few months before (I was losing weight but not as fast as I would have liked so the Dr being proactive just checked!) I am starting on a very low dose but she said it will get me started and will probably need increasing as she did state that TSH needs to be below 3 but ideally lower than that. She has already organised that I will need blood tests every 4 weeks as well.

She did also explain that I would also be under consultant led care with a consultant obstatrician who specialises in endocrine systems. Which for me will also mean a switch in hospitals as my local one is midwife led.

Lets just hope that I start to feel less subhuman soon and actually begin to enjoy pregnancy!!!!

I'm so glad you've got a good GP - it makes all the difference.

It can take a couple of weeks before you start feeling better, but soon you should be feeling great. Hope all goes well.