Underactive thryoid in pregnancy !

[megann93]

Hi mums,
I got diagnosed with under active thyroid after my first child in Sep 2012.
In September 2013 me and my partner decided to try for baby 2, we went and spoke to the doctors and they didnt tell me anything!! we tried seeing a different doctor but still completely useless. We felt like we were being judged due to our age (despite the fact we have our own house and work to raise our children, We wouldnt even consider trying for another baby if we knew we couldnt financially support our family). But we were told to come back when i conceived. Stupidly i know, i looked it up on google and got a bit cut up when i read may take longer to conceive. beginning of November i found out i was 3 weeks pregnant, contacted the midwifes and had my first appointment at 6 weeks, i asked about the thyroid and they said they would make me an appointment with a thyroid consultant, and that it will be before im 12 weeks, and they will have to keep checks on regular blood tests. I am know 27 weeks pregnant! i havent seen one person to explain a thing to me about it all, despite the fact i mentioned it at every midwife appointment to chase it up. but nothing came from it untill last month i got a letter telling me i will have my first appointment on the 15th may (about time). Going back to google research i have recently read that if my blood and i wasnt monitored throughout pregnancy (which they werent) then baby could be born with it? this pregnancy has been a lot harder than my first, i have been fainting and going lightheaded everything. i went to the doctors at 22 weeks was told i would need to have blood tests done but had to wait till i was 27 weeks!! (no idea why!) Last weekend i couldnt physically stand! i went dizzy sitting down, i was sick had the runs, backache started getting a lot worse. (Iv been eating and drinkings loads) i phoned the midwives and they said unless i am bleeding or my waters break then i cant go and get checked out! (really annoyed me as i have a 2 year old daughter who i am home alone with when my partners at work).
So really my question is or the advice im after is can my thyroid affect me/baby. just want to know as much as im not getting anywhere!!
would apprieciate any advice and help.
thank you for reading xx

Hi Megann 93,
I'm in a simular situation but I've got an overactive thyroid, I'm 32 weeks and only now seeing specialists I need however I would suggest to your normal to and ask to have a set of normal bloods including hormones. My midwife was the same but when I told her how it was upsetting me she spoke to the specialists pa.
I hope this helps.

I had to ring the consultants receptionist as I had suspected under active & received no appointment, bloodwork etc. .. turns out they'd missed placed the paper work! I'd ring around and find out what's happening, as much as a ball ache it is!! x

How much thyroxine are you on ? X

Iv finally got an appointment on the 15th but im just worried if anything can affect my pregnancy (as in baby come early ect) or hurt baby himself. Im on 50 micro grams xx

You should be having bloods every trimester as if untreated can lead to miscarriage or can effect baby's development. The mw and your GP should know this and have got you seen!

Personally I'd be kicking up a stink. You need to know if your TSH and t4 are in the correct range and usually they like TSH to be below 2.

I also have an under active thyroid, was diagnosed after having DS. I've seen an endocrinologist ever since and am now expecting no.2. I am under the obstetric and endo teams and have regular blood tests. They've also upped my thyroxine which is quite common to compensate for pregnancy.

Ok so I am on 25mcg ( very small
I know! ) and I am 13+ 3 , have been on this since bout oct last year.
When I found out I was pg so booked docs appt as was bit worried tho doc was not concerned tbh and not bothered at all !
It wasnt untill i went for my booking in at 10 weeks the mw referred me to consultant and medi bloods clinic.
I saw my cons after my 12 week scan abd he was fab! So reassuring! If you have been on a managed dose for a while you and baby should be fine. Tbh 50mcg is not massive compared to some . Regular blood tests and mayb extra growth scans towards end he said may increase doseif needed in future.
He did say I should have been checked at my booking in tho! That did annoy me a bit ! Anyway my last blood test ladt week came back fine! Got an appt when I am 20 weeks with cons and blood/ endo peeps!
It is a worry I know xxx

If u are on thyroxine then all should be fine. If you arent and it is left untreated then that is time to worry!

If they are monitoring you and you are on thyroxine it will be fine. They will adjust your thyroxine levels as necessary.

I have severely underactive thyroid - I am on 200mg thyroxine and also something for a related pituitary problem and I had two normal and healthy pregnancies 11 years apart. The consultant just saw me once a month and I had regular blood tests. During my latest pregnancy they didn't need to change my thyroxine dose as it seemed to stabilise (they often need to increase it during pregnancy but not always).

You will be fine.

Thats what i thought :/ iv been seen by different midwifes at my general check ups and have only seen my actual midwife once, iv requested to see her on thursday. Going to state that im not happy with the way things have been treated. Its just the fact i have mentioned it at every appointment and iv just been brushed off. i will be putting a complaint in as the amount of worry and stress iv gone through has been horrible. the amount of questions iv got for them that havnt been answered and have gone so long with trying to mention it to them or to hear from someone :/

i havnt seen the consultant once yet. and i had my bloods taken at 6 weeks when i had first seen the midwife. and it was fine then. but thats been it. iv been taking my medication but i just dont think its been fair for me to be questioning it and not hearing from anyone when iv been told that i should of.

Make sure when you next see her that she documents that you have raised the issue and have strong concerns. That should get things happening.

I would make an appointment with your gp rather than your midwife and ask for a blood test for your thyroid levels. You may not necessarily need to see a consultant if you are only on 50mg as it is a very low dose but your gp should check it for you and tell you if you need to increase.

Don't worry, you cannot pass hypothyroidism on to the baby.