Hashimoto's Pregnancy -

[ceebee21]

Hello,

Just wondered if anyone wanted to join who has either been through or going through a pregnancy with hashimotos.

I have just found out I am pregnant; had 1 MMC and 2 cp since July 19, so really hoping this one sticks.

I had bloods done just before BFP, TSH was 0.6, then re done yesterday and has gone up to 2.6.

I am assuming GP will increase my thyroxine, but not heard back yet.

Thanks

Bump

Hi! This is my second pregnancy with hashimotos and my levels are always up and down in pregnancy. The guidance is to increase levothyroxine by 25mcg per day as soon as you find out you're pregnant. And also I have blood tests every 6 weeks to check that my levels are ok. My consultant at my 28 week appt said I should have had an antibody test earlier but had it then instead. Maybe something worth flagging to your midwife? I'll dig out a link to the guidance which I found helpful and I ended up taking it to my doctor as back up for them to increase my medication. Happy to help if you have any questions!

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroidism this is the nice guidelines. Sure I had another link as well so I'll have a look.

www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/guidelines/Lothian%2520Guidance%2520for%2520Diagnosis%2520and%2520Management%2520of%2520thyroid%2520function%2520in%2520pregnancy.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi70bSs4fzoAhUKYcAKHUvCAyMQFjACegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw22NQdYP7mh_4L3C_0dvnRk. This is what I was looking for, gives guidance on what your levels should be in each trimester. Hope it works!

Thank you @RedPanda25 I will have a look at the links.

Just paranoid that it's going to cause another miscarriage, but fingers crossed xx

I had my levels tested during pregnancy as I was so tired. They didn’t test antibodies, just T4 and TSH. My TSH was 8, yet they didn’t put me on thyroxine ! It took until dd was five for my GP to finally test my antibodies and give me thyroxine for Hashimoto’s. I feel so angry still. Thankfully dd was fine.

@SirVixofVixHall I cant believe they didnt put you on thyroxine!!!

When I had my MMC last year my TSH was 10 at 6 weeks...even though I was on thyroxine!!

I have my fingers crossed for you! I think you should ask to increase your thyroxine as per the guidelines by 25mcg to try and keep on top of your levels.

I think thyroid problems are generally appallingly managed, but you would think in pregnant women they would be especially careful. I was fobbed off with “ oh it is just because you are pregnant” , even though I have a family history of Hashimoto’s.

Yes, before TTC I was never really fussed, purely because the doctors didnt really seem to care.

It's only now I have seen my results over the last few years that It shows how shocking it was!!

Ooh reading this is scary I am on 100 levo at the moment and 16 weeks pregnant . I haven’t had any support with my pregnancy from my doctors or midwives should I be asking for more care . After reading this I’m so worried.

@Zaalfruit don't be worried, lots of people with hashis have successful pregnancies, I'm just paranoid due to past experiences.

Have you had any bloods done testing your thyroid levels? X

Just did one today - the last one done by the mid wife said levels seemed fine - but I’m worried been getting the shakes . My care from the doctors has been poor . I hope they raise your meds . It’s unfair pregnancy has so much stress already and then we have to make sure the levels are right :( I take every Week with a pinch of salt to scared to buy anything or plan anything .

Ah ok, well yes make sure you actually ask for results.

I can see all of mine online with patient access, otherwise I don't think i would have any idea!!! X

Morning just wanting to jump onboard as hashis / hypo here with various other issues. I'm FTM and obviously terrified about everything knowing how risky this can be with these conditions.

Glad to see someone else pregnant at the moment too.

My gp did increase my meds by 25mg after me arguing with her when my levels came back as 4.5 but it took some fighting.

@Lyris Yes, it is all very frustrating.

I have just had a response from GP sayig wait to speak to specialist; I was referred to fertility unit at hospital following 3rd loss, and my telephone appt is actually next week.

Not really sure what to do, i am tempted to alternative my dose each day, increasing by 25mcg every other day until I can speak to the specialist.

The GP just said - we are guided by the specialists here.

Mine did the same and said I would have to wait to see the obs consultant which I'm not due to until like 16 weeks. I argued enough that the nice guidelines say it should be immediate increase. She said she would seek advice and I assume contacted the endos and came back a few days later with a new perscription. I will admit however that I had increased myself by taking an extra tablet every other day because I knew the risks of if she didnt come back but obviously I wouldnt recommend to anyone doing that without medical advice / clearance.

Do you currently have an endo? Or ring your epu and explain and they might get in touch with the gp and advise them to increase

@Lyris yes, I took an extra 25mcg yesterday, and think I will do so every other day at presemt - I am not waiting until next week (during my MMC, baby stopped growing at 5.5/6 weeks).

I have gone back to her and asked if it can be referred to an endo etc.

But may also speak to EPU.

Thanks

It's so frustrating and unfair that doctors just don't seem to understand about hashimotos in pregnancy and want should be done. I've had to push for regular blood tests and also increases in my meds. I always feel better when my tsh is under 1 so I always push it with them if it goes higher. There is a really good forum called health unlocked and you can go on there and ask questions and search other posts. I found it really helpful when I was first diagnosed! Really hope they start monitoring your levels better! Sorry can't work out how to tag people on the app!

@RedPanda25 I agree. I'm not long diagnosed with all my issues after getting quite ill last year and it took me going private and fighting every single day with various doctors to get them to medicate me at all. And I was not a functioning human for many months. Same every time I needed an increase even before pregnancy. I didnt expect it to be such a fight when pregnant because everyone knows and harps on about the risks so assumed it would be easy and would be looked after.

Ooh reading this is scary I am on 100 levo at the moment and 16 weeks pregnant . I haven’t had any support with my pregnancy from my doctors or midwives should I be asking for more care . After reading this I’m so worried.

My thyroxine didn't need to be changed during my pregnancies (I had been on a dose of 100mcg for years) - I was seeing an endocrinologist every four or so weeks who reviewed my blood test results. Maybe mention it to your midwife if you are worried and see what they say.

Hi @ceebee21 and congrats! We’ve spoken on the pred thread. And also @Lyris - glad to hear you got sorted in the end!

I’m 11 weeks atm. It’s my 6th pregnancy (4 mcs, unrelated to thyroid issues) and I’ve had hashimotos for 16 years since I was 16 so I’m well versed in it and what is supposed to happen in pregnancy! I only needed to increase by 25mg in my pregnancy with my son but this time needed to go up by 50mg. My TSH was still 3.4 after the 25mg increase. I have my bloods done every 4 weeks at my insistence. Luckily my GP just does what I tell him.

Wishing you all well!

Hey so my blood tests came back 0.63 for tsh and for t4 21 . A little worried about t4 but they have said that no need change in medicine does any one have any thoughts? I was meant to see a specialist but everything has been cancelled due to the current situation .

Again I always have to request for my bloods to be done every 4-6 weeks they just forget or ignore it .

@HarrietM87 hiya and thank you. I've managed to get a telephone appt with GP tomorrow to discuss.

My bloods were done Tuesday at my request again and TSH was 2.6....I had them done two weeks ago just in TWW and it was 0.6...so there is already an increase and I domt want to wait until next week!

They havent tested my T4, no idea why, but did have T3 done this week...odd xx

Congratulations on your pregnancy @ceebee21. I’m slightly different as I have Graves Disease but I’m 11 weeks pregnant and under the care of an endocrinologist who tests my bloods every 4 weeks. There will be a team at your hospital who deal with thyroids in pregnancy and it’s worth contacting them ASAP so you get regular blood tests and your medication adjusted accordingly.
My tsh and t4 levels have been all over the place since finding out I was pregnant. I’m usually overactive but at 5-6 weeks my tsh had shot up to 9.4 and my t4 was around 6 so I was taken off all medication. A week later my levels had returned to pretty much normal so I was told to continue with no medication. My bloods two weeks ago then showed tsh at 0.02 and t4 at 22 so I was put back on a low level of medication. I’m absolutely terrified for my 12 week scan next week because I have no idea what the fluctuation in my thyroid levels has done. My endocrinologist doesn’t seem too concerned however and just said I need testing every 4 weeks to remain as stable as possible.