Anxious about miscarriage due to family history

[MorgN]

Hi!
I was hoping to see if anyone ever considered private test for autoimmune factors in early pregnancy “just in case”? I’ve never had any autoimmune issues but my mum had thyroid problems and miscarried a few times, with the doctors suspecting back then it could be caused by her immune system. I told my GP about my worry, but she said NHS would not test anything without recurrent miscarriages. It took us forever to get pregnant and I am really worried, on the other hand even the private clinics only pitch the tests as post-miscarriage investigations so I wonder if the odds are really not so much worse and hence there really isn’t any preventative testing?

You can get your thyroid tested privately. GPs aren't usually aware but if you have subclinical hypothyroidism you should be treated if TTC or pregnant. It's in the NICE guidelines.
I know lots of people use medichecks for thyroid panel.

My mum has a thyroid issue, I got a test from Superdrug after my first pregnancy was a miscarriage and my thyroid was fine and within a normal range. I then conceived again shortly after that and had my son. I’m pregnant again now and it’s going ok so far.

The Superdrug test was easy and quick. They have to send the blood test off but it only took a few days maybe.

Thank you! I did have TSH checked before my pregnancy and it was normal, I was mainly worried about all the other ones (anticardiolipin etc)

Can I ask what your tsh level was?
As NHS say under 5 is normal but actually for trying to conceive it needs to be under 2.5

Is that what your mum was diagnosed with? Not thyroid issues?

You could do it privately, but it would be quite a bit of money and you may not have any issues. In fertility clinics they like your TSH below 2.5 before conception and afterwards which is substantially lower than what the NHS says. In my experience (I have history of recurrent miscarriage caused by immune issues) I needed treatment before conception. But not many people are as unlucky as me when it comes to staying pregnant so try not too worry. How far along are you now?

My dad was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome. Before I started TTC my gp tested my phospholipids and they were normal. He's since been undiagnosed so I don't have that increased risk any more. They are unsure if it's hereditary or not

There are lots of reasons for miscarriage. I could give you 10+ women's stories of pregnancy loss in my family circle over the last 60 years and only 2 had a systemic issue

It was 1.7 so should be fine!

She had diagnosed and treated thyroid issues, unfortunately back then they didn’t really do any detailed tests to determine whether it was still the thyroid (despite medication) or another concurrent autoimmune problem. :/

I’m so sorry you had to go through that!
I’m now at 6 weeks, it feels like time is moving so slowly.

@MorgN thank you. I did have my DD after, I decided I couldn't put myself through that again and paid for private care and went on treatment so I am so grateful there are things and meds that can help these days, and I am now pregnant again and following the same protocol, 8 weeks for me and hoping this time it will work too. All the best with your pregnancy, the first few weeks go by so slowly and can be tough too but it gets better afterwards, take care ❤️

Fingers crossed yours goes well too💟, you’re right, it really feels like time moves so slowly! All the best!