Underactive thyroid and pregnancy

[cumbria81]

I was diagnosd with an underactive thyroid last year and have been taking thyroxine. I have never had any of the usual symptoms (I don't have a weight problem and rarely feel tired) so the diagnosis was a bit of a surprise.

However, I am now thinking about ttc and know that hypothyroidism can cause problems in pregnancy. I've been doing some googling (always dangerous!) and it's quite scary - miscarriage, birth defects etc.

Has anyone with an underactive thyroid been pregnant and what were your experiences?

many thanks!

Thanks Maples, the link given a while back is very interesting www.cks.nhs.uk/hypothyroidism/management/scenario_preconception_or_pregnant#-482785 and I'm going to take that in with me and demand there and then an increase, unfortunately I now have to wait 5 days to do that due to easter:(

Don't know what is up with me with this pregnancy, it's my fourth and I haven't worried one bit during my previous ones, but saying that I was borderline all through my last one eight years ago. Just feel very anxious about the whole pregnancy, think it may be my age (late 30's) and the fact that it came as a very big surprise to us, a very nice one mind.

Thanks again, this thread is really good.

I have underactive thyroid and have had two dc, with an underactive thyroid throughout. What affect does an underactive thyroid have on the unborn baby?

hey ladies I to have an underactive thyroid. have 2 DC and am 25 weeks and due in July.I have never had a problem with my thyroid affecting the pregnancies or the births. I have not a clue about levels got my levels checked and results were:

TSH 4
T4 22

is this normal?? im on 200mg of thyroxine and never have had to increase this from i got pregnant. I always trust my doctor but from reading this thread im not so sure now.

Sam, I had total trust in my GP. After going through 5 previous GP's, he is the one who diagnosed me with my underactive thyroid 8 years ago and has been great ever since, I was flabbergasted today when he openly admitted that he didn't know what affect an underactive thyroid had on a pregnancy and that my specialist would answer any questions. Even more so when I just checked with him that I was doing right by leaving at least a 9 hour gap between the iron tablets I was on and my thyroxine, he looked it up and told me he didn't even know you couldn't take them together! He actually found out it was at least a 2 hour gap although someone previously said it was 8 hours.

Just goes to show a GP is just that, a GENERAL practitioner.

My underactive thyroid was only diagnosed recently after I kept asking my go to test it. I found out that I must have have an underactive thyroid for years and asked for a print out of all my previous blood tests. I had a blood test a few months before falling pregnant with ds2 and my T4 was 11.8 and my TSH was 5.56. Does that mean that I had an underactive thyroid while pregnant with ds2 that was never picked up on by my gp???

Really glad to have found this thread. Please can anyone help me with an urgent question?

I was diagnosed in December with subclinical underactive thyroid after many months unsuccessful ttcing.

Dec results 9.5 TSH, normal T3/T4.

Jan results 10.5 TSH, normal T3/T4.

End of Jan put on 50mcg Thyroxine per day.
Feb results TSH of 2.75, normal T3/T4.

March - no blood tests.

27 March - BFP!

I am now 5+2 weeks pregnant which I understand is a real "danger time" for thyroid getting more underactive. I have not seen a doctor and cannot get to see one till this time next week, so I will be 6+2.

I have no idea what my thyroid levels are at the moment or if my TSH has risen since getting pg. I am really worried that it could be increasing and causing the baby damage. I have been feeling very cold and shivery and quite tired, no idea if this is related.

Here's the question: should I self-medicate and increase my thyroxine until I can see a doctor and get some blood tests? and if so, how much by?

Help!

minipie congrats on your bfp!

Only you can decide whether to self-medicate.

In case it helps your decision, here's my experience: I was advised to increase my dose by 25mcg when just pregnant with DD, after my GP rang the endocrinologist to see whether to increase it (was on 50mcg at the time and the previous blood test showed TSH of 5.5... I went to the GP armed with the NHS link given upthread and explained I didn't much fancy another early miscarriage and since in pregnancy the TSH should be 2.5 or under, could they increase my dose. Locum GP waffled a bit so I suggested she ring the endo there and then, who agreed with me, hurrah!).

I was diagnosed hypothyroid back in October 2008, put on 25mcg then 50mcg, then my cycle came back, BFP Feb 09 but MC'd at 5.5 weeks, another BFP in May 09 and this time my thyroid was managed much more carefully, DD arrived safely in January 2010, 6 days overdue but naturally on gas and air with no complications in labour and she weighed 6lb 5oz we're now about to start TTC again.

There is LOTS of useful information in this thread which it would be worth you reading through (be an "expert patient" ).

Just like to say a huge thanks to confused for the links as the antibody information which is very relevant to me, so I am going to book in with the GP after Easter to discuss potential use of steroids/asprin etc.

Thanks blondie! That's really really helpful to hear your story especially as you were also on 50 mcg pre-preg, like me. Most people seem to be on more so it's hard to compare.

you're right obviously, only I can decide whether to self medicate. Ordinarily i wouldn't dream of doing so but just worried at how quickly things can move when it comes to thyroid and I can't get to see a doc till end of the week.

I have now had a look at the nhs clinical guidance website that a previous poster linked to. (couldn't get the site to work last night). It suggests GP should raise thyroxine dose by 30 to 50% immediately while patient is waiting to see endocrinologist.

So, I think I am going to raise mine by 25mcg (like you) until I can see a doc and get some more blood tests.

It'll only be for a few days anyway until I can get to see a doctor and get blood tests done.

Thanks

By the way... on a completely separate note... I have been taking Vit D and folic acid at the same time as my thyroxine. Anyone know if those interfere with its effectiveness? The web seems to say it's just calcium and iron.

forgot to say, very sorry to hear about your mc and many congratulations on your DD!

Hello everyone, this thread has been massively helpful to me.

I was diagnosed with an underacive thyroid after the birth of my first daughter 2 years ago. I was taking 150mcg of levothyroxene until December when they reduced it to 125mcg. Almost as soon as I realised I was pregnant I saw the dr but unfortunately it was a young locum who gave me the wrong advice regarding my booking in appt with the midwife. As a result, I won't be seeing the midwife now till the end of April when I'll be nearly 9 weeks.

After reading everyone's experiences on here and listening to that Radio 4 programme last night that someone posted a few weeks ago, I have decided to increase my dosage to 150mcg. It's frustrating that the doctors is closed till TuesdayOn this programme a consultant stated that there was more risk to the baby in under medicating as opposed to over-medicating. This was all I needed to hear. Good luck to us all. :)

My TSH was 5.55 while I was pregnant so I don't understand why I was not diagnosed as underactive. I went on to have a successful pregnancy and birth, but wonder if my underactive thyroid could have affected the development of my ds. I am now on 150 mcg of levothyroxine.

Hi all, for those struggling to see GP's/ midwives, my GP surgeries have allowed me to request a phone call from my GP the same day, they don't necessarily need to see you to discuss dose change if you feel well.

My last GP referred me quickly to the specialist antenatal clinic - I was seen at 7 weeks, my current GP (different area) was happy to discuss the dose over the phone. As my TSH had been a bit low before conception, we didn't increase the dose immediately this time, just repeated bloods, TSH quickly came up and I am now on a higher dose. My GP seems really confident dealing with my thyroid, I know not all are (there may be one GP in your practice with an interest). I am now being followed up in the antenatal clinic.

I had subclinical hypothyroidism 1st pregnancy, didn't start thyroxine until 14 weeks (TSH was 6, T4 normal, the consultant was only concerned as I had antibodies so not just 'normal for me'). DS seems fine apart from the usual toddler oddities!

Hi,

I'm very keen to breastfeed and there has been mention of hypothyroidism affecting milk production. Just want to check that people whose bloods are monitored and are on appropriate doses of levothyroxine are able to breastfeed successfully.

Thanks xx

Hi spirited, I breastfed for over a year with ds, no problems at all. In that time I stopped thyroxine, nearly went hyperthyroid before went symptomatically hypothyroid (postpartum thyroiditis, may not have noticed very quickly if they weren't monitoring me!), then restarted treatment. None of that seemed to affect milk supply.

Hi spirited, I was unable to breastfeed my daughter but I wasn't diagnosed until she was around 3 months old. It will be interesting to see how I get on this time.

Hi everyone

Does having underactive thyroid restrict your birth choices, does anyone know?

I think I would like to give birth in my hospital's midwife led unit if possible rather than the labour ward. However I am worried I may not be allowed due to being hypothyroid and therefore "high risk". Anyone know the answer?

thanks!

Well I took the information from this website Hypothyroidism to my doctors and he thanked me for bringing this to his attention and upped my thyroxine straight away. Next blood test on the 25th so I'll see if it's had an effect.

Ah, that's v good to know, thanks maples. Had blood tests today and seeing endocrinologist on Thurs so let's see if the ol' thyroid is under control or not! I really like the idea of a pool birth.

Oh Mini, forgot to answer you. I'm having a waterbirth at my maternity unit and it's no problem at all to them.

hooray!

Hi all, I'd forgotten/ lost this thread since last posting in feb, and wonder if anyone can shed some light/ advise pls.

TSH 2 wks preconception 1.35
Doc raised meds at 4+5 from 125 to 150
(After a little quibbling - one doc said yes, tother said no!)
Had test at booking at 8+3

• results took ages to come back - went to hospital? Nurse at docs was puzzled!

Docs rang on Friday (10 days after test) to say raise by 25 again to 175 - tsh was 5.5 (didn't ask t4, and t4 not been tested for ages!)

Do you think the 5.5 is a problem? Should I ring consultants office, I've since had scan date and initial consultant meeting for 24 th may in 3 weeks - who do you think has over seen this? I sort of feel +25 is not enough, not least as I've put on weight quickly!

Is tsh more of a mc risk or baby development risk? Ie, do I pester again as I've become so used to doing!

Thanks!