Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy

[Vimto1991]

Hi guys!
So I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease a few years ago and had radioiodine therapy. Since then I’ve been on levothyroxine for an under active thyroid. I was told this would make me high risk in my pregnancy so would be monitored.
I didn’t have any thyroid tests until I was 12 weeks pregnant. I didn’t receive any results but normally no news is good news from doctors so I left it. Today I just thought, maybe I should chase it - it’s been exactly two months.
Turns out they neglected to tell me my thyroid is slightly under. Apparently not enough to harm the baby but apologised as it would have caused me to feel tired 🙄 (I thought this was pregnancy related), but they want my dose changing from 125 to 150 (so must be enough to warrant that!) and they’d retest me at my next consultancy appointment which is end of February… in another four weeks. I asked them if they can retest now as it could have fallen significantly lower or raised naturally as I heard thyroid can dip and raise during pregnancy.

I’m absolutely terrified that the neglect of the hospital has affected my baby. I had a 20 week scan and the baby looks fine, although baby is at around 37% growth for everything except stomach which is like 69%. I’m wondering if anyone has calming words - they can’t retake my bloods until Friday so no results until next week, and I’m terrified of losing my baby as I read under active can cause miscarriage. :(

I also had graves disease. I had my thyroid removed when I was 23. I had Dd1 8 years previously and had no problems. I was on 150mg daily.

At 38 I had Dd2, I didn't know I was pregnant until I was 5 months. I was monitored for the last 4 months my thyroid levels stayed the same.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

@ParkheadParadise good to hear you had two positive pregnancies! Mine seems to have dipped slightly and raised to 150mg, hopefully that will be enough and the past two months haven’t done damage, but like you said you didn’t even know for 5 months and I imagine others have been the same and successful.

@ParkheadParadise that sounds bad that no one has been looking after you I'm so sorry

The way I understand it is that is has to really go under or over to affect baby so it does sound like this is ok.

I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid may 20 and have been on ptu since July 2020 I take 50mg which was lowered from 100mg a few months ago because my levels have remained normal however the last month my consultant has taken me off completely so now I'm having 2 weekly blood tests to monitor me.

Prior to that I was having 3 monthly blood checks but I asked for monthly
Ones as we were TTC and going through ivf and I was aware it could affect pregnancy so I've been very well looked after
Reading your story makes me feel sad and I would ensure that you ask to be monitored

My consultant is so lovely and on the ball and I email my results bi weekly to his receptionist which I feel is brilliant.
He often calls me even though I have set 3 month appointment
He even called me out the blue over Christmas to tell me to come off the meds as if I stay off them it will make me go under

Happy to answer any questions although mine was over active but still anything you want to ask I'll try and help x

I completely understand the worrying. Now they've sorted your medication, just make sure they keep on top of it and contact the doctors if they don't keep up with blood tests. I had my thyroid removed in 2020 and I'm currently 15 weeks pregnant with my second. I've had my Levothyroxine upped to 175mg from I think 100mg prior to being pregnant as mine was low too. I've got to go for blood tests every 7 weeks and a growth scan at 32 weeks to check all is well. Good luck and I hope everything goes well!

Thank you for your kind words guys. I definitley will be pursuing more regular blood tests now and scans for growth incasw they’ve affected baby.
What worries me is my thyroid was last tested sometime in summer last year, around June time. If my tests done at 12 weeks were slightly low it means my entire 20 weeks pregnancy have been low.
I know it could be worse like undiagnosed and atleast I’ve taken my medication so I’m not sub clinical, but still scares me to wonder how this has affected the baby.

I had also a few days missed prior to my blood test from morning sickness which may have affected me (the test was done on a morning I had thrown up, too) I’m not sure.

They were happy with the 20 week scan so I am crossing my fingers the results mean the baby has enough thyroid hormones, it’s just me that’s a bit under. :/

I’ve managed to get a meeting with the consultant Friday morning, along with bloods that morning and results the afternoon. Hopefully she can shed some light on how this may affect baby, and steps going forward on how to communicate better with me!

That's good @Vimto1991 hopefully, they will be able to give you some peace of mind.

I'm glad you've got an appointment! I hope everything goes well and they can put your mind at ease