Hashimoto’s, very overweight and 6 weeks pregnant.

[Pregnantfatandafraid]

Hi!
I have been trawling these threads all week looking for some positivity. I was diagnosed hypothyroid (hashimoto’s) after my son was born 5 years ago.

I have recently discovered I am pregnant, not planned and I’m so scared for mine and the babies health. I weigh 19 stones.
There are so many things online saying the baby can be affected by the underactive throid and have learning difficulties!
How real is this?? I dot. Even know if I want to continue the pregnancy as I am so worried.

First of all get your thyroid levels checked again and make sure you ask them exactly what the numbers are. Don’t let them just tell you they’re ‘normal’. Come back here with the numbers. I have hashimoto’s and multiple miscarriages. I am not saying you will so please try not to worry! But my miscarriage expert reckons you need to have a TSH of around 1 when you’re pregnant so you might need to up your meds a bit. Make sure you see a doctor that is aware of the research showing a narrower range of normal levels is more appropriate.

If my levels are bad could the baby be cognitively impaired?? I have had 4 healthy pregnancies but that was before being diagnosed hypothyroid and hashimoto’s

I had a miscarriage despite being treated for Hashimoto's. Apparently, when your thyroid levels are low, prolactin levels tend to be high and this 'state' does not support a pregnancy in some instances. My dosage was tripled and I went on to have three successful pregnancies.

Foetuses develop a functional thyroid quite early and this supports the baby (and contributes towards mother) well enough for the duration of the pregnancy.

The heel prick test shortly after birth would pick up if baby had a lack of thyroid hormones. You are right, if a baby grows without thyroid hormones it affects intelligence - known as cretinism. But a baby would be supplemented with thyroid hormones if the heel prick test picked this up. I have taught children who have been on thyroxine from birth and they have all been well on their medication.

As long as you are on the correct dose of medication you and your baby will be fine.

Hi,
I got my results back my TSH is 7.9 and T4 is 13
Doc say no damage will have been done but I should raise thyroxine by 50mg now.
does this sound right?

See how you go - ask for another blood test in 6 weeks to check levels.

I'm sure you'll both be fine. 🥰

I was on 50 mcg when I miscarried, after that I was on 150 mcg thyroxine throughout pregnancy - I was 9 stone when I got pregnant. I know that my TSH was over 100 when I was first diagnosed - that was 4 years before I got pregnant.

My TSH has never been less than about 3.5 on thyroxine (T4), since starting liothyronine (T3, which I didn't take during pregnancy) my TSH is suppressed - 0.09 last time checked.

Thank you. So scary reading about it online but the gp didn’t seem concerned in the slightest

Hi OP I have been going through a similar thing and it’s been hugely frustrating as I learned they were supposed to refer me and up my thyroxine but didn’t. It was completely overlooked. I was in bits worrying all weekend. I’m now 21 weeks and have finally had my dose changed and a referral appointment.
However I did a lot of research and also spoke to the dr. Your TSH and T4 levels are very similar to mine.
Dr says he wouldn’t worry about permanent harm being done if TSH is below 10, but it should be between 2-3 in pregnancy (depending on whether in 1st or 2nd trimester).
Apparently learning difficulties are more directly related to low T4. However your T4 doesn’t sound too bad to me?
The 1st trimester is most important as that’s when they are developing their brain function so if you’re getting it increased then fingers crossed all should be fine.
I’m in the 2nd trimester and so hoping and praying all is well, but dr didn’t seem massively concerned.

Yeah I’m reading a lot that gp’s aren’t concerned but clearly they need to be. I’ve not yet read of anyone having an unhealthy baby but I have read about early miscarriages so your bump should be fine too. So much to worry about isn’t there 🙈

I have some tummy ache this evening and spotting

How are you today OP? Hope everything is ok

Hi, I’m going for an early scan. No more bleeding but lots of tummy ache. Will update after scan xx

Scan went well, I’m earlier than they thought by a week but little heart is beating away and measurements are good. Fingers crossed it stays that way 🤞🏼

That’s wonderful news! I’m really pleased for you and hope the rest of the pregnancy goes well

Good news! A few years ago when I was pregnant the NICE guidelines said to test every four weeks during the first trimester, as demand for thyroid hormone can increase quite rapidly. I had to be proactive in requesting this, midwives weren't aware of the guidelines at the time.

Later in pregnancy the baby's own thyroid takes over, I read this starts at around 12 weeks and by 18- 20 weeks it's fully functional, so things should stabilise outside the first trimester.

Fingers crossed this increase brings down your TSH and everything goes smoothly for you

Thanks so much both and all the best for you too 😊