So angry and upset.

[HaleyDunphy]

Having a little cry and just want some MN reassurance as on my own atm.

I'm 16 weeks pregnant. When I first found out I was pregnant, my GP pointed out that a blood test I'd had six months prior showed my thyroid was underactive. 8 weeks into my pregnancy, I insisted on another one, which I was told was fine. As I've been quite poorly lately, my midwife recommended I have it checked again as she was concerned. I had it done the middle of last week, and she said she'd make a point of checking the results herself as my doctors seemed incompetent with regards to letting people know results of blood tests. My doctors said it was an unceas

Fast forward to today and I get a feeling that I should just double check myself (my midwife said no news from her about the results meant good news). The receptionist I spoke to has told me there's a problem and that I have to wait for a doctor to call me back. The doctors had my results on Monday. I am just so, so angry. I've read how serious it is if left untreated and just feel so let down. I'm just sat here waiting for them to call me back, feeling really hopeless. I don't know what I'm going to do if there's a problem and it affects my baby :(

*it was an unnecessary test but I had it anyway.

Oh love I'm so sorry you feel so bad. I'm not surprised at all. I know next to nothing about thyroids apart from that a few years ago I was diagnosed with an underactive one then undiagnosed after further tests. It was a stressful time.

I'm here for some hand holding.

an underactive thyroid has no real impact until 2nd trimester. at least on baby.. will leave you ugh.. i am on thyroxine, have been since i was 10 yrs and i'v only been tested once so far and im 18 weeks. dont panic. and dont read the internet.. its full of horror stories. just make sure if you have an underactive throid your reffered to consultant care so they can monitor you.

ps the receptionist needs retraining, they should have never said theres a problem..

I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid 4 dsys before I had a surprise BFP.

I was referred to an Endocrinologist. My bloods have been checked at 6, 12, 20, 28 & 32 weeks.

I would demand a referral as im finding my GP & MW do NOT have the depth of knowledge needed to manage a thyroid condition during pregnancy. Just this week my G.P & MW mis interpreted my kadt lot of blood test results & my GP even told me to reduce my thyroxine. Im on 150 mcg per day. I felt uneasy about whst the gp said so contacted the endocrinologist. She told me not to reduce my meds.

Take care of yourself. Request a referral & regular blood tests.

Good luck....

Yes stay away from the Internet but ALL women with thyroid disorders need regular blood tests during pregnancy.

Thanks everyone. They called me back and said that normal levels for 2nd trimester is between 9 and 17 and that I'm 15.9 which is fine. Doesn't seem like a great result to me, does anyone know what that means. I have no clue at all about this.

You're within the normal limit range, so why do you think that isn't a great result?
I have no idea about the numbers but I've had an underactive thyroid for years. I would agree with staying away from Dr Google and his scare stories.
I get a blood test for levels every trimester. I saw a consultant at my 12 weeks scan but they don't want to see me again if levels stay under control. He told me they're more worried about overactive thyroid, that's the one that can do more damage.

I have an under active thyroid and am pregnant and see an endocrinologist. Do you know what your tsh level is? It's important you are monitored during pregnancy. I'm surprised no one seems bothered as I have appointments to go to. You should bloods taken every trimester and have medication adjusted accordingly. An untreated thyroid can effect the development of the baby so you need to be firm and get seen by an endocrinologist if you are underactive and put your foot down with the midwife!

I haven't commented on here before but felt I had to after reading your post - I have been through exactly the same thing with HCP's not seeming to care very much and the interweb scaring the out of me!

I am 21+5 now and this is what I have learned...

The minimum blood tests for thyroid funtion is one per trimester. However - do not put any underactive thyroid symptoms down to pregnancy (tiredness (!), dry skin/hair etc). If you feel those sort of symptoms, insist on another blood test.

Make sure they test T4 and not TSH. TSH is the usual test but it is not as accurate during pregnancy. TSH should be below 5 (ideally between 1-2). T4 is the more accurate test and actually shows the level of thyroxine in you system. This should be (I think) above 10 ish. Mine has consistently been 13.5 and everyone is happy, so you reading (which I think must be T4) is great!

The critical time for good thyroid levels is the first trimester, as this is when the baby needs thyroxine to develop. After the first trimester, it can produce its own, so now that you are 13 weeks, it is more about you feeling well rather than your baby needing it.

I ahve seen a consultant re: thyroid but the most useful help has been one particulalr GP - find someone you can trust and stick to them.

I hope this helps. PS I am not a doctor so this is just IMO.

sorry - 16 weeks

Thank you - I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. Clearly I need to be more informed about this, as I just have no clue whatsoever. My doctors just seem so uninterested, I think I may have to consider a new surgery. Thanks everyone xxxx

It doesn't sound like your surgery is a good one...a change sounds like a good idea!

Insist on a referral to an endocrinologist.

Bloods should be done once a trimester, and at 36 weeks also (a study found that under treated hypothyroidism can increase the risk of complications at the birth so it's worth getting checked!). You may also be given extra scans to check baby is growing well.

There are various guidelines from the thyroid uk and American societies on how an underactive thyroid should be treated during pregnancy. A quick google brings them up. It's good to be armed with info before you see the GP or midwife. If you are underactive I would insist on a referral as your gp should not be managing it.