TSH blood test result above 4 and I'm 5 weeks pregnant

[Bluebellsfortwo]

I'm 5 weeks pregnant tomorrow. I had a blood test yesterday for TSH, these bloods were booked ages ago before I found out I was pregnant.

The result came back at 4.15. Now I'm worried sick because I've read this is too high for pregnancy and can cause miscarriage? Anyone have any advice for me please, I'm freaking out.

Try to see an endocrinologist and get levothyroxine, this will get it sorted quickly. No need to freak out, but it is advisable to discuss this with your doctor, take medication as/if prescribed and monitor that you are on the correct dose (this might change during pregnancy, or it might not).

Your GP will prescribe eltroxin (levo), which is always in stock in pharmacies so should be very easy for you to get hold of (I’m not UK but it’s same there too! I can imagine it’s a worry but your GP will reassure you.

Thanks so much. I'm just stressed because it's a Saturday so can't really see the GP till Monday. I'm also worried the GP may tell me I don't need the medication?

Thank you. My plan is to contact GP on Monday. I hope they will take me seriously.

I forgot to add, I have no history of Thyroid problems. I was having these blood tests as part of my pre-IVF work up as we were just about to embark on another round of IVF.

@Bluebellsfortwo is your thyroid over or under active?? Good luck with the doctor x

My TSH is 4.15 so I believe it's subclinical hypothyroidism, aka underactive. I never had any thyroid issues before. I checked online and it says TSH needs to be under 2.5 during pregnancy.

Good luck! I found GPs very hit and miss with thyroid issues. Some just don’t care at all if your THS is not over 5. I ended up seeing an endocrinologist privately, but hopefully you’ll get somewhere with your GP on Monday. Until then, try not to stress!

Hey! In a similar boat, nearly 6 weeks pregnant and I had TSH blood test results back yesterday that were 3.5. GP said this was fine, but I‘m not so sure… idk what to do if they won’t prescribe anything?

@whpfi had mine checked at my booking in appointment at 9 weeks and it was 3.7. Midwife said outside of pregnancy it’s normal but in pregnancy isn’t and referred to GP. GP didn’t know so had to speak to endocrinologist who advised to prescribe levothyroxine at a low dose. They said optimum is 2.5, they don’t want it to get to over 4 which is where risks can start so medication has been prescribed as a precaution to prevent it getting any higher. I felt a lot better once it had all been explained but if I had your results I’d be pushing for an endocrinologist to review it. I’m also going to have an appointment with their clinic and the hospital and regular bloods with my GP to check levels and medication dose x

Hi, sorry to hear you're in the same situation as me. Any updates for you? I saw my GP who recommended repeating the blood test, and also testing for antibodies (TPO) and if it comes back raised again they will consult with an endocrinologist about next steps. I just had my repeat blood test yesterday.

I’ve since been prescribed 50mcg levothyroxine! Really hoping this will help with feeling exhausted too… Any updates for you?

Did your GP prescribe this for you? Mine spoke with Endocrinology who said they won't prescribe any medication since my Thyroid antibodies is negative! So confused about what to do. I'm almost 7 weeks now.

My GP! Do you have any symptoms that fit hypothyroidism? Maybe that’s what they need to hear to start treatment. Fwiw I found a text from my last pregnancy where I told my husband that my TSH was 3.9 at about 14 weeks pregnant and that doesn’t seem to have had any negative effects.

I do, and that's why I actually had the blood test done - I had requested the bloods before I even knew I was pregnant. I also have a family history of autoimmune hypothyroid disease.

Have you had subclinical hypothyroidism before? As in, higher TSH? Mine has been checked every year for the past 6 years and it was always normal and below 2.5. It's just suddenly high now. When I ask Chatgpt it says that it's due to the increased demand from the pregnancy. I'm just quite anxious about it due to history of infertility and previous chemical pregnancy.

Not quite sure what to do now. The Endocrinologist straight up rejected the referral saying they don't treat subclinical hypothyroidism in 1st trimester unless TPO is positive and I don't see my GP going against their advice.

I might need to do this now. Can you let me know what your TSH level was, if you remember? And did you have positive TPO antibodies? Thank you xx

My TSH was only 2.9 in my first trimester, with no anbribodies, and I was prescribed 50mcg Levothyroxine to bring it down below 2.5. That was later reduced to 25mcg but I’ve had it prescribed by my GP in my two subsequent pregnancies no problem. Ask a doctor from your IVF clinic to prescribe or find a private endocrinologist!