Subclinical hypothyroidism and pregnant

[littlegingerone]

Hi,
I have been trying to get my thyroid levels sorted for the past 6 months as I was trying to conceive. GP would not medicate me unless Tsh was over 5 and it's kept being just under. I took in info from the British thyroid foundation which says 2.5 or under for ttc and first trimester but, GP just kept saying but you're not pregnant yet. I am now pregnant, 7 + 3, and after a new test with tsh 4.93, they have still said that's normal and no further action needed.
The quickest Google shows that this is not correct but I feel like I'm not getting anywhere. I have a booking in appointment on Monday with the midwife I'm wondering if they might be able to help me push for it? Has anyone else had this and managed to get it sorted?

Hi, I’ve had this although I was medicated as soon as it was discovered. It did take me 13 months to finally conceive and sadly that ended in a missed miscarriage. I told the GP as soon as I discovered I was pregnant as per BTF guidelines and he doubled the dose. It actually sent me overactive and although I can’t be sure I feel it could have contributed to the miscarriage. From that point on I was adamant that if I were to fall pregnant again that I had a different GP who looked at the dosage and would do a blood test every 4-6 weeks throughout pregnancy. A few months afterwards I found myself pregnant again and spoke with a lovely new GP who was very understanding and supportive and agreed to just up the dose slightly and test regularly. I then spoke with the midwife at booking in and she referred me to the medical disorders clinic. Due to other factors I have been consultant lead and am pleased that I feel both the GP and hospital have kept a close eye on me. I am now 38 weeks pregnant. My only advice is advocate for yourself, be determined in the support you want and if you’ve done your research you likely know more than the GP! Wishing you all the best x

Following with interest. My TSH was 7 when last tested in December. Currently 5 weeks pregnant with my second child. The last message I had from the GP was that I don't need medication unless TSH rises above 10 (didn't mention I was trying for a baby though) . I've rang the surgery and receptionist has left a message for GP saying I'm pregnant and asking if anything needs doing due to my subclinical hypothyroidism. I imagine they'll want to do regular blood tests to monitor TSH levels. I'm sure when I've spoken to the GP she's mentioned a couple of times that my thyroid 'went the other way' in my first pregnancy and levels were consistent with an overactive thyroid rather than underactive (only found out about the thyroid issue at the beginning of first pregnancy completely incidentally and GP didn't seem concerned about it). I'll need to check with the GP but the way I understood it, they initially thought I had an overactive thyroid but it was the pregnancy causing that and I'm actually underactive? Anyway, I'm curious to see if they suggest medication now I'm pregnant with TSH of 7 but I'm very wary of taking anything as had a healthy first pregnancy and no problems conceiving and also in case my thyroid 'goes the other way' again.

I had subclinical hypothyroidism and my GP refused to prescribe thyroxine as my tsh wasn't above 5. I ended up getting an appointment with a private endocrinologist who prescribed a very low dose of thyroxine. I felt a different person about a week after starting taking this! Before I had been so tired I could barely function. This was before I fell pregnant and I actually fell pregnant 6 weeks after starting thyroxine (I'm convinced that this help, as had been ttc without luck before this)

My levels were monitored throughout pregnancy and my dose was increased in the second trimester, then again at about 34 weeks.

Since giving birth, I now have subclinical hyperthyroidism, so I've gone the other way! I'm trying to manage my symptoms with diet and lifestyle as I really didn't want the pills! I last had bloodworm done 2 weeks ago which looked good, but have since found out that I'm pregnant and I don't know what pregnancy is going to do to my results!

Pm me if you want the name of the endocrinologist that I saw. He specialised in thyroid and fertility and was keen to medicate on a small dose of thyroxine even when you didn't meet nhs guidelines for the medication.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Do you have the means to go private?

The ranges the NHS use for 'normal' is not at all 'optimal'. Really frustrating.

Can you see a different GP within the practice? Hopefully your midwife will help.

You may need to go in armed with printed out info and be a bit pushy. I hate doing this because it shouldn't be such a battle but it is the only way sometimes.

Thanks very much everyone really helpful reading all of your replies, I am going to try the midwife first and see how I get on there, and then make another appointment with the gp (this will be the third one about this same issue!) I will update with what the midwife says. At my last gp appointment I went armed with printed out info but, the gp would not see the recommendation for when ttc as what to do pre pregnancy and was just fixated on, but you're not pregnant yet...
I was saying but it's really clear guidance that it should be under 2.5 for the first trimester and I'm telling you I'm trying to become pregnant so, if I manage to conceive I'm immediately at the wrong levels.. I feel the same - it should not be this hard surely!

@littlegingerone I fell pregnant last year which unfortunately ended in MC. When I fell preg I started taking cytoplan pregnaplan. I like their ethics, and not full of fillers.
I went from 150mcg of thyroxine to treat my UAT to 75mcg, and the only thing that changed was the fact I took pregnaplan.
We didn't actually try for a baby as we have a huge family holiday in the Caribbean in May. But fell pregnant in January (11 weeks today yay!)

The dr's tests for TSH showed me as over active til I went down to 75.

I feel amazing on a lower dose of thyroxine, and I emailed Cytoplan and they explained it could be my conversion of iodine from the pregnaplan.

Giving you my 10p worth of experience.
My TSH is 0.5 and maybe on the lower side, but if I reduce the thyroxine I get cramps and hair loss back

Good tip on the iodine! A high quality prenatal with meaningful quantities is worth every penny.