Hypothyroidism causing constipation 27 weeks

[amyboo]

I've been on medication for hypothyroidism since I was about 12 weeks pregnant. I didn't really notice I had any problems, but routine blood tests showed my throid was really underactive (other family members also suffer from hypothyroidism). Things seem to have been OK, but I'm noticing I'm a bit constipated the last week or so. I'm 27+2 with a fairly high risk pregnancy (lost DS2 at 36 weeks, and had a subchorionic bleed plus week in hospital at 16 weeks with this pregnancy). Not due to see my gynaecologis till 6 February, and am now worrying that the constipation could be due to needing to up my thyroid dose. I read that doses might need to be adjusted in the latter stages of pregnancy, but don't know if I'm worrying about nothing. My last blood tests (4 weeks ago) were good for thyroid levels...

Anyone have any experience with this? I'm not really sure whether to bother my gynaecologist or not. Baby is moving fine and I have an additional scan scheduled for Thursday morning at hospital (but just with sonographer not my gynaecologist), but I'm just not sure if there would be any long term problems for the baby if my thyroid levels have dropped again and it goes unnoticed for a few weeks...

Your thyroxine requirement does increase as your pregnancy progresses - mine has more than doubled between 10 and 35 weeks. Definitely speak to your GP asap and book a blood test to check your levels.

The constipation may or may not be related. It's a pregnancy thing, I expect most of the ladies on this board are suffering to some extent. If your thyroxine dose is too low you will also be feeling excessively tired, drained to the point where climbing stairs seems impossible or maybe cold and shivery.

Hi Amy,

Not sure about hypothyroidism causing constipation (although I suffered for that for months in early pregnancy - think it was due to MS) but I also have an underactive thyroid and they key thing is to make sure you have good levels in the first trimester (the baby relies on your thyroxine in the first trimester but by week 12 they generate their own, but it is generally recommended that your TSH level is no higher than 2.5 during 2nd and 3rd trimester).

If they've monitored you and put you on thyroxine, and they're still doing regular blood tests, I'd try not to worry. When you're pregnant your food processing all slows down to extract as much nutrients from food as it can, and often this can lead to constipation in pregnancy - it's very common whether or not you have hypothyroidism.

When your thryoxine dose is increased, it usually takes 4-6 weeks for it to fully take effect. If you're seeing your consultant on 6 Feb, this will be just after 6 weeks, and I'd imagine they will check your thyroxine automatically then (if not prompt them).

Given your history, I can understand your concerns, but it sounds to me as though you're being monitored really well.

Good luck with your pregnancy

Thanks for the quick response. I'm not feeling exhausted on the whole, despite working fulltime and having a nearly 3 year-old DS1 to look after This is my 3rd pregnancy and I've never had constipation problems before, which I guess is why I thought it might be linked. I think I'll check if the paper for my next blood test (due in 2 weeks) has TSH levels marked as well and if not maybe check with my gynaecologist (I'm in Belgium so things are a bit different).

I've been on thyroxine for a while before getting pregnant and didn't notice this side effect. Have had trouble with constipation when pregnant though, so I don't think thyroxine is causing it.

Interesting worsester that your dosage has increased so much - mine has only gone from 125 to 150 since the beginning and am 18 weeks now. Can I ask when was the biggest increase in your case, if you remember?

to amy. Wow to 27 weeks, you are doing great!

My constipation cure has always been eat 2 kiwis a day. I guess its all the vit C, not sure, but always does the trick for me. Usually takes a day or two to erm take effect.

Hope you are feeling more comfortable soon.

Thanks everyone. to spilt. I can't believe I'm 27 weeks already either! Trying to get through with the old mantra "today I am pregnant", but being reduced to a panic on a regular basis when I forget if I've felt him move. Thankfully he seems pretty wiggly at the moment. Weekly monitoring and scans with my gynaecologist is due to start at 32 weeks, so am just counting down till then... Looks like I'll be induced at 38 weeks too as I'm also on daily heparin injections for blood clots, which will need to stop before I can give birth. Not too much stress then!

I'm a good fruit eater but will attempt to step things up to try and solve my current uncomfortableness

Hi Hazell, the increase was slow at the start and increased a bit more post 20 weeks. I suspect this was partly down to my GP not realising TSH levels in pregnancy have to be keep within tighter limits than otherwise, hence things changed more when an endocrinologist took over. It's very individual though. Best thing to do is make sure you have regular blood tests to keep an eye on your TSH levels.

thanks, I should be fine then, my TSH has been at a steady 0,5 and I get tested every 4 weeks.