Thyroid tests?

[Starfishkiss]

Do we have our thyroid function/thyroxine levels checked as part of the standard pregnancy blood tests? Thanks

No. Are you taking thyroxine now? you know that you generally need to increase your dose by 50 per cent when you're pregnant.?

Sorry my son is actually now 4 months old but both my sister and my mum have hypothyroidism (my sister has only just been diagnosed, and had worryingly low levels) so I was wondering if I should get checked too, but then thought maybe this was already checked as part if the standard pregnancy blood tests... If you see what I mean!

Thyroid can be influenced by pregnancy - dd2 blew mine out. I thought it was PND but it was low thyroid. Sometimes after birth your thyroid levels can go up only to then crash 4-6 months after birth. A test in pregnancy wouldn't indicate your current levels. If you have any concerns then go and ask for a blood test.

That's not correct that a test wouldn't indicate current levels in pregnancy.

You can have your thyroid and should have your thyroid checked if you are concerned. It is a simple blood test that looks at your TSH and T4 levels which are the two hormones they check for in relation to thyroid. Ideally your TSH should be no higher than 4 which is the maximum range, can't remember the T4 values but you can check on the NHS site for guidelines.

I have hypothyroidism, am 21+2, part of a Europe wide study on thyroid and pregnancy and get checked every 4 weeks with blood tests to monitor my levels. My dosage has been adjusted twice to compensate for too high levels as I was put on too high a dosage initially. The baby is kicking away and no problems at all on 20 week scan.

Thyroid problems are a cause of miscarriage (before I meant year my levels were through the roof) and issues in pregnancy. If you are at all concerned please go get this checked. I don't want to alarm you at all as chances are you are absolutely fine :) but it is worth looking at for peace of mind and it should not be an impediment for a healthy and happy pregnancy.

Good luck!

Doh mc not meant.

But hypothyroidism often develops after pregnancy so a result early in pregnancy showing a normal level would not necessarily rule out post-partum hypothyroidism. My symptoms only occurred after dd2 was born. The OP is at the stage at which post-partum hypothyroidism often first develops so if she develops any symptoms it would be reasonable to request a test even if one in pregnancy was normal.

I was wondering about the hypothyroidism more from a generic POV (hashimoto's disease I think?) considering my mum and sister.
I have had lots of the symptoms for some time but just put it down to other things. But since my sisters diagnosis I would like to get tested.
I didn't want to waste my doctors time if I'd already had the test as part of the routine blood tests when I was pregnant. It seems from what you've said that a thyroid function test isn't included so I'll definitely book that appointment then!
Thanks a lot!

My mother and sister both also have hypothyroidism, but for me pregnancy was the trigger.

Same here. I developed Hashimoto's nine months postpartum, and pregnancy was definitely the trigger. No Hashi's in the family otherwise, although there are other autoimmune conditions knocking about.

Definitely get your levels checked. My dose has only been adjusted once in pregnancy (I take dessicated thyroid, as opposed to synthetic) but I'm fully expecting things to go haywire again during the postpartum period.

I was actually fine after having ds (my third). I was monitored throughout with increases as soon as I found out and at about 16 weeks, a few months post birth I was able to go back down to pre pregnancy level. I was a bit concerned re his intelligence before the pregnancy but he is the furthest ahead so far of all of them - he is reading at a year 1 level and not even in school yet, he can do simple arithmetic and has a smattering of french too.

OP is worried about having hypothyroidism now just after pregnancy. If there is a problem now it will be picked up. It is entirely possible it can be a Pre existing condition and if so they will test every four weeks to monitor it. She can but ask.

God stupid phone I meant is op worried that she has hypothyroidism as a Pre existing condition before pregnancy. And yes, pregnancy can impact on the thyroid as well during the nine months and possibly resolve afterwards or not. The way these posts read to me is as if you're only ever going to develop it after pregnancy which isn't correct.

If it is pre existing then a blood test WILL show a problem, and it needs to be treated otherwise it can have serious consequences. If nothing shows up then great news. Either way the best thing to do is talk it through with your doctor if you have concerns and they will give you the best advice for now and after the pregnancy.

Good luck and I'm sure all will be fine.

Yes if it was pre-existing it would have shown up if one was done in pregnancy - my point though was that the levels could have been normal during pregnancy if it was tested, that would not be a reason not to ask for a test now as pregnancy is a known trigger for hypothyroidism. I would not rely on a blood test 8-9 months ago. Some people only need thyroxine temporarily after pregnancy but I needed it full time, as do my mother and sister although theirs was not just after pregnancy.

I honestly don't think I could have got through a pregnancy and untreated hypothyroidism, and I am just on a low dose.

Pregnamcy can do weird things to the thyroid. Mine is working better than normal (still hypothyroid, but lower dose!)

If you are worried get it checked at the GP, ask them to check folic acid and B12 levels too as these can have similar symptoms if you are deficient.

Definitely get it checked and go and read up on it on the thyroiduk website. Most GPs know diddly squit about thyroid problems ime. My sister, mother and grandmother all have under active thyroids and i pushed for medication after going through a preterm birth and 4 MCs. My results have always been in the 'normal' range so i've had to fight to be heard but lo and behold now I'm on medication I am 30wks pregnant again. My consultant says his patients feel best with tsh around 1 and t4 in the low teens. A tsh of 4 is v probably too high despite it being considered as 'normal'.

Do get checked if concerned. I was diagnosed at 24 and been on thyroxine for 16 years through two pregnancies. (My levels never changed at all throughout and after pregnancy and in our area, levels are only checked once per trimester). You wouldn't have been checked routinely in pregnancy and so you could have had it years as the dr thinks I had it years before diagnosis!