Hypothyroidism First Trimester

[mills1990]

Hi everyone. I'm so anxious right now and would love some advice or reassurance. I'm 34 years old and 8+3 pregnant with my first child. I saw my baby's heart beating at 7 weeks and all was well. Sadly I've struggled with Hashimotos autoimmune disease/ Hypothyroidism all my life but in the year leading up to conceiving I managed to obtain normal results with ideal TSH etc. Likely how I managed to conceive on just one singular attempt! Anyway, my private GP told me I needed my thyroid bloods to be done every 6 weeks and I've just had the results back and they are not good! My TSH has gone from an ideal 2 to 6.5! And my T4 is super low! I have an appointment with my specialist GP tomorrow but am seriously fretting that this might cause my to miscarry and that even when I up my dosage how long that'll take to kick in, lower my TSH and if it's going to be quick enough for the health of my baby.

Any comments I'd be so very grateful! X

I've got hashis and had my baby 4 months ago. It's expected that thyroxine needs increase especially first trimester. when the baby is reliant on you for thyroid hormones. Means there's very little for you sadly. My TSH got to about 5 pretty early on and it was a case of upping the dose until we got back to within ideal range. I was on 100mc pre pregnancy and ended up on 175. Unmanaged thyroid disease is what causes the greatest risk, which yours obviously is not. Just keep on top of the testing (my trust were super slow on this!)

Thank you so much for your reply, it's nice to have someone who has been through the same and can relate! I'm on 100mcg Levothyroxine and 20mcg Liothyronine (I don't convert T4 to T3). I spend a fortune for private care with my thyroid and am upset that this has happened as despite it being so costly I did ask if I should test monthly but was told 6 weekly would be fine. I wish I had pushed harder as I'd have likely caught the decline in time. Just got to have my appointment tomorrow, up my meds and pray my baby is ok and will continue to be ok. I hate this disease early pregnancy is worrisome enough as it is!
I'm so glad everything worked out for you, congratulations!

Thankyou so much! It's hard isnt it, getting the right help. Don't worry about what's happened so far, thyroid levels can change very rapidly in pregnancy. The main thing is you can take action now. Worth making sure you get a level check monthly thereafter just to keep on top of things.

I know everyone is different and this is only anecdotal.. But to share a positive experience I also have hashimotos and had a TSH that went from 0.4 to around 5 within first few weeks of pregnancy.
They increased my meds and it actually came back to normal within the next month and I am (touch wood) having a perfectly healthy pregnancy (33 weeks today).

I think the biggest danger would be if you weren't monitoring or adjusting your meds. I'm sure you'll get optimal results for next time!