Thyroid test - help?

[Pontouf]

I am ten and a half weeks pregnant. When I was six weeks I went to my GP with extreme fatigue which I had been putting down to just being pregnant and having a toddler, but I had become vegetarian a few months before and wondered if this, coupled with the pregnancy had led me to become a bit anaemic. I asked her if she though this was possible and she agreed it might be and sent me for a blood test. At the same time she sent me for a thyroid function test and a full blood count just as a precaution.

I haven't actually had the results back from the tests, I meant to ask at my midwife appointment on Thursday but I forgot. Anyway I've now had a letter from my GP saying she wants to send me for a repeat TFT, plus Free T3 and T4. Does this suggest my initial TFT was abnormal and if so what does this indicate for my pregnancy? Does it pose a risk to my baby? Anyway I'd be very grateful for anyone with a bit of knowledge of this subject to help?

There's no way of saying until you get your result; it's very positive that they've picked up on it, though, and so you'll be medicated and monitored accordingly once it's been checked. This means the chance of anything going wrong with your pregnancy because of a thyroid issue is very slim. Hth x

Thanks Fluffy, that's reassuring. Will try and get it done ASAP then.

I have been having my thyroid monitored for the last 18 months or so with blood tests every three months. There are very slight variations but so far it is still within the normal level. I asked for my TSH level to be checked again when I found out I was pregnant and I am still in the normal range. I too feel very tired when it dips.

Anywhere between 0-4 is considered normal and medication would be considered for anything out with. I believe it is not as much as a problem after 12 weeks as the baby will be producing these hormones itself.

Hope this helps.

emmie during pregnancy the ranges tend to be tighter, and you ideally want to be between 0.5 and 2.5 rather than 0-4 x

Just an additional point, sometimes the labs only do tsh as it is the best indicator of function (when not pregnant) but in pregnancy ideally they like both. The fact your gp is asking for t3 too (they generally don't bother) and as fluffy said have even asked for the tests, is great so it sounds like you are in excellent hands Best wishes and try not to worry. :)

Baby makes own hormones from 26 weeks. In a normal pregnancy a women's thyroid actually grows a little to accommodate the extra needed. Keep up with eating the recommended portions of dairy as this supports thyroid :)

Thanks fluffy will check what my last level was at next appointment as was only told it is in the normal range.

Thanks everybody for the replies. Just a bit worried that if there is a problem it's only being picked up now - just hope no damage has been done to my baby in the meantime. Will try and get the test done tomorrow if my boss will let me sneak out (not sure if it technically counts as maternity appointment and therefore is allowed in work time?

I would say absolutely definately counts - I've had to have an awful lot of blood tests and tried to have them at the same time of day for consistency (only as I am on meds,) which is early morning but occasionally meant not getting back till just after nine. Usually I can get a test between 7-8 am though.

I also annoyingly had to tell my deputy head about the pregnancy at 5 weeks as I had to go to get results/ doc app during a staff meeting and hadn't yet learnt that my surgery will squeeze you in for appts when pregnant, so thought (as appointments seemed to be like hens teeth) it was my only option. It turned out it was very good I acted quickly as I've had a rather unusually rocky ride but I've had the condition a long time and had 'rocky rides' before! So do not feel guilty, it is important and counts as a thyroid condition (and there are many different types) which during pregnancy puts a woman into the 'high risk' category though it isn't usually much of a 'risk'. generally for underactive thyroids all that means is a few extra appointments, blood tests and 'consultant led care' (just to keep an eye in you) which for the majority of women results in no risk. Try not to worry and just follow your docs advice. All the best xx

I meant counts inasmuch as your gp is investigating a potential thyroid condition which would if diagnosed need particular management during pregnancy. For some reason I am wide awake at 5 am but not necessarily making sense!

You're allowed time off for any medical appt legally, aren't you?

Don't worry too much op - if it had been drastically out I bet they'd have stuck you straight on medication; I'd think it's only worth retesting if you're borderline.