hypothyroid 6 wks: should I be concerned about lack of blood test?

[Clarella]

Hi any advice from those with experience of Hypothyroidism in pregnancy very much appreciated!

My Tsh was done week before I conceived and was 1.57, which I know is good. Hence the doc, who increased my dose from 125 to 150 at 5 wks doesn't seem overly bothered about any blood tests. I've also had no contact from midwives etc yet for initial appts. First pregnancy, 35, so have no idea what's supposed to happen normally. There was conflicting advice from 2 other doctors I saw in the run up to the confirmation (i was very anxious about what should happen as learnt a lot recently and then was getting bpfs for a week before doc confirmed). One doc seemed to think I'd have a blood test before increasing if needed, the other wanted to get to the midwives ASAP, as they would refer to consultants. From my research, current advice is test at confirmation of Preg, up dose by 25% while waiting then test every 4 weeks in first trimester and at wk 16.

I know this will happen at some point but will 8/9 weeks be too late? potentially I could be 10 weeks before I know what my t4 levels are!

Thanks in advance,

C xx

Hi C,

I think guidelines state you should be tested every 6 weeks; the fact you've had your dose upped anyway is very positive. I've really struggled to get my blood tested and the blimmin drs won't up my dose because they "don't know what to do with me" and tbh, if I were you I'd be considering leaving it maybe 3 weeks and then phoning the dr saying you feel symptomatic and making sure you get tested iyswim

If your PCT is like mine, when you book in with the Midwife they will refer you to obstetrics and your care will be consultant-led instead of midwife-led - your referral could take a good while though - my first appointment is in week 17 - and you will need to be tested in the interim.

Hi there xxx

I was tested before they upped my dosage by 25mcg at the start of pregnancy. At my next test my levels were

Hi Mcpopcorn, thanks for the advice!

I just phoned the practice and they told me I have a booking at almost 9 wks, she put me through to the midwife though who explained the procedure and admitted she didn't know a lot as they refer directly to consultants but they might to bloods then and if I was overly concerned to go back to the doc and ask them. My anxiety does come and go, so ill see how I am next week. I'm suddenly quite tired but not at all bunged up (sorry!) Which is my usual hypo symptom so tiredness prob pregnancy - also a teacher and so holiday lethargy too!

Sorry to hear your docs been so awkward - makes you feel so daft but I suppose shy bairns get nowt! Are you pregnant - I hope all is well?

My local thyroid association has a meeting in July all about thyroid in pregnancy - ill be in the front row and probably attempt to drag the midwife too!

C xx

Thanks spirited, Im assuming they didn't bother testing as my tsh was so good just 4 weeks earlier. It sounds as if they know what they are doing with you so maybe don't need consultant unless bloods showed something they did not know what to do about. The 4 week thing was in the nhs clinical evidence website so I honestly don't know if definitive practice - the thyroid association meeting in July is consultant led so I hope to have more answers then. They've just launched a campaign about better awareness of thy in preg, its on their website. I think its more of a problem for those with subclinical hypothy, ie very raised tsh but ok t4 so not being treated as may not know its a problem.

How early was the scan?
Hope you are well,

C Xxx

Actually mcpopcorn, I think your docs are being very ineffective, I can't believe they wouldn't contact a consultant for advice! Quite obvious if they 'dont know what to do' ! Doh!

I have mine tested evey 3-4 weeks and i am 20 weeks pg...
ive had mine upped twice from 125 - 150 - 175mg
hoping thats it now!!!!
i was refered to an endocrinologist because of the pregnancy......
and he is super good at monitoring thyroxine levels....and calcium...
ask if you can be refered maybe? I have to keep my levels relatively high due to thryoid cancer previously (stops it coming back) and being pregnant messes with your levels so its really important to keep checking them!
xx

I was offered a scan at 10 weeks, and again at 12 weeks. I've since had my 20 week scan and at my 24 week antenatal appointment the midwife listened to baby's heartbeat. All fine!

I keep expecting something to be wrong (took us ages to concieve - over 5 years, and I know I'm not that healthy - raised BMI, unfit, hypothyroid, asthma, not been feeling a lot of movement.. ) and it never has been.

I don't think the midwife used the term boring, but did say that I have a nice normal baby who is growing and developing just as it should. Can't believe my luck really!

Hope your baby is happy and healthy too xx

Wow, spirited I wasn't offered an early scan, I feel cheated! lol

I'm 13+5, Clarella - I spoke to 2 GPs and neither were any help whatsoever, and as my Obs appt is in about a fortnight, I figured I might as well hang on for that (even if I am beside myself with worry ). I was a really good 1.5 TSH at 6 weeks, so I'm just crossing my fingers that if things have changed they won't have skyrocketed iyswim I shall be very, very cross if they have

Good luck :)