Thyroid and Pregnancy

[GlennaJ]

Hello! I am now 20 weeks pregnant and I am supposed to get my Thyroid tested on August 13th.  I've not had an adjustment to my medicine since being pregnant and I feel like I need more Synthroid.  I have been taking 150mcgs for a very long time now.  I've decided to go ahead and up my dose myself because I am starting to feel lethargic, constipated, tired, achy.  I know pregnancy can make you feel like that too but I am just sure my thyroid is low.  I've decided to take a 125mcg tablet and 1/2 of a 125mcg tablet.  Its only increasing my dosage by 37mcg....my question is, do you think that is ok until I can get tested or should I take more? Thanx, Glenna

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

You should not change the meds yourself - in general.  But you are right that pregnancy increases dose requirements by 25-40% in many women so more medication is usually needed.  Would go ahead and test your levels and see where you are -- obviously my post is late so that is happening tomorrow.

[myliljay]

I don't think you should ever try to change the dosage yourself- I would wait until the tests are done. Good luck!

[shakthi]

I have been diagnosed as hypothyroid  2yrs back andI was taking 100mcg.after 1yr, my tsh and t3 t4 were normal. But I wasnt ableto continue  after that time. After 1yr , now we are planning for kids, so  went  to physician and tested,  and  tsh was  raised to 10.  but my physician gave  me 50 mcg to start with.  I am on levothyroxin (levothyroxine) now, next  week I have to check my tsh again.

I think I am pregnant now  because  I missed my periods. I am very much worried, whether  this raised  tsh will cross the placenta and harm my baby ,or the low t4 , t3,will affect my childs   development

Please help me.
I am in great stress