effects of hypothyroidism on baby's development

[time4tea]

I developed mild hypothyroidism after birth of DS (now 2.5) and am being treated with 50mg per day of thyroxine.

I've been asking for thyroid levels to be tested since the start of the pregnancy and the hospital have lost/otherwise messed up the THREE tests which we have sent them. I'm furious and absolutely panic-stricken now, because having surfed the net, I see vague references to "neurological difficulties" "lower IQ" etc. Also it all seems too late now - I'm now 27 weeks, and I see now that the key stage for it being important is first trimester.

The GPs surgery took another test today and I hope to have results tomorrow. But in the meantime I'm pretty hysterical about this - has anyone got decent advice on or faced this issue before?

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bless you for being in touch, firststar.

I did ask the GP about taking it further, and getting more info about the risks, she said (probably wisely, given that the test will be back tomorrow) that we should wait until then; obviously then I'll start throwing my big weight around to see the consultant Obs/Gynae and maybe an Endocrinologist. I got the impression she was pretty mortified about the shambles at the hospital and will be on their case.

thanks again, its good to have MN'ers around

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time4tea - how are you feeling at the moment? do you feel hypo at all?

Usually people need a little more thyroxine during pg and it should be checked more frequently (sorry can't recall how freq)

Try not to worry about the baby (hard I know) - the likelihood is the baby will have taken the thyroxine it needed from you in the 1st trimester and you will have suffered any ill effects not the baby

thanks MGL and the Blonde

I haven't felt too bad (not considering 5 months of morning sickness and two-year-old to deal with) in terms of energy levels, which was the big indicator when I was diagnosed with thyroid problems - post-natally, I felt as crap as when I was pregnant! thanks for the tip about baby taking my thyroxine, this does stand to reason. Basically also, I am sure if it was a really serious risk to bub this would be far more known about and much more vigorously followed up and prioritised. From the google search, the only specifics were a possible drop of 10 IQ points or so - given what a dodgy measure IQ is, I'm not too bothered about this. Will just keep fingers crossed.

will post again re: test results, which I should have tomorrow.

thanks again for the support

Good luck tomorrow

I found my GP seemingly unaware that my thyroxine levels needed to checked during pg and I would recommend you ask to see an endocrinologist

I am 25 weeks and my endo has increased my thyroxine whereas my GP was happy to let it stay as it was

just a quickie to say that the thyroid levels were on the low side of normal range, phew what a relief. they will increase thyroxine dose by 25mg and see how that goes.

thanks again lovely ladies for the info and support. I was really flipping out until I heard your words of comfort. You are superstars

XXXXXX T4T