Hypothyroidism in pregnancy- does anybody on MN know about the effect on foetus?

[duchesse]

Does anybody know anything about high TSH/low T4 levels in pregnancy?

I am about 11 weeks pregnant, and due to a history of borderline hypothyroid occasionally tipping over into clinical hypo, requested a thyroid test at my booking in visit two weeks ago. I am not being treated for the low thyroid, as the doctors decided that it was not bad enough to treat.

The results are:
TSH 4.39
T4 14.4

The TSH is high (the endocrinologist I saw suggested that anything over 2 was potentially harmful to the baby's cognotive development) but the T4 is within normal limits.

So here is my question:

Does anybody know if it the higher TSH or the low T4 that can cause the problems with the foetus?

Also, I thought I would mention a very interesting paper I just read about the link between morning sickness and thyroid levels. The suggestion was that the more T4, the higher the likelihood of sickness. Which would explain why I've had hardly any sickness in this pregnancy so far.

I would be very thankful for anybody's experiences of this.

I'm booked for homebirth with st georges I will ring mws tomorrow and ask for obs referral was going to do this anyway as I also have CRP level of 34 range 0-10.

I wouldn't take l-thyroxine without a script I wouldn't want to risk going hyper esp as my tsh is only 1.04 right now.

Thanks so much for your help I will keep you updated and have a look on the other thread

me23, you are doing the right thing. btw, it takes years of l-thyroxine treatment, for one to go from an under active to an over active thyroidism. this is a medical fact and i did not come with thison my own... the pharmaceutical composition of l-thyroxine is levothyroxine sodium and potassium iodide... statistically, this medicine is only 50-75% absorbed and there would not be any immediate effect, rather a gradual and very slow change.

having said this, if you have access to a qualified medical professional who would treat you asap, this would naturally be the best possible outcome. you should insist on getting a treatment asap, though, as well as having your blood regularly checked. i am having this done, given my history, but i had to be quite persistent...

incase any of you ladies are interested, there is a group of us who are TTC or pg with an under-active thyroid - do come & join us!

Also, here's a link to the NHS Guidance for treating hypothyroidism in pregnancy - you may like to print this out to give to your GP!

My consultant told me that ideally my TSH would be around 2-3 during pg, but as long as it was under 5 it was fine.