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8 weekas pregnant with hypothyroidism and THS of 10
Hi Dr. Lupo - I am worried sick. When I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism my THS was 24, I was put on 50mg of Eltroxin and now my THS is 10. I never experienced the usual symptoms such as tiredness ets, so didn't find out until I got tested. I didn't realise the seriousness of the condition as my doctor only explained that an underactive thyriod can cause infertility - so when I got pregnant we thought great. But now I read that my level of THS is dangerously high in terms of the development of my baby. I will be seeing my doctor in a couple of days and she will increase my dosage, but I am worried that it is too late as the baby requires a high level of thyroid hormones in the first trimester. Because the increased dosage of Eltroxin will take about 6 weeks to take effect I am worried that it'll be too late and my baby could be born with learning difficulties, or even worse I could miscarry. My pregnancy seems to be going fine apart from this issue - I am tired, emotional and a little sick but that is to be expected. Can you please answer my question: What are the risks of having a baby with cognitive difficulties or miscarrying even if I get the correct medication as soon as possible - am I too late??? Thanks in advance for your inputs - Michelle
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
T4 is the hormone the baby needs for growth & development -- the increase in the dose will have a relatively quick effect on the child (ie, it won't take 6 weeks to help in this way). The goal during pregnancy is 0.5-2.0 to help minimize complications of miscarriage, pre-term labor, low IQ and other issues -- but most w/ a TSH of 10 (if addressed/corrected) will not have problems.
Thanks for your response. I will ensure I get the correct medical help. Thanks also for the reassurance
Hi,
From my understanding your meds should be increased immediately given your high TSH, and your pregnancy. Probably your eltroxin should be doubled immediately. But I'm not a doctor so can't be sure. They do say it is better to conservative and if not sure, add meds, during pregnancy.
What is 'normal' FT4? It should be high (not low) normal. My doctor also likes to see FT3 levels (but that is just his opinion).
Dr. Lupo sometimes takes a few days to answer. I'm sure he'll get around to your question soon.
Please push very hard to see an endocrinologist urgently, not in a month's time. If you need to see a different doctor to get this as second opinion please do.
From my understanding your meds should be increased immediately given your high TSH, and your pregnancy. Probably your eltroxin should be doubled immediately. But I'm not a doctor so can't be sure. They do say it is better to conservative and if not sure, add meds, during pregnancy.
What is 'normal' FT4? It should be high (not low) normal. My doctor also likes to see FT3 levels (but that is just his opinion).
Dr. Lupo sometimes takes a few days to answer. I'm sure he'll get around to your question soon.
Please push very hard to see an endocrinologist urgently, not in a month's time. If you need to see a different doctor to get this as second opinion please do.
Thanks for your inputs - I went to see my doctor today - I have normal levels of FT4 which is encouraging - she is not increasing my dose of Eltroxin (currently 50mcg) yet until I get the results of todays blood test in about 10 days. I thought she would since my TSH was 10 at my last test (2 weeks ago). At least she is refering me to an Endocrinologist but I probably won't get an appointment for another 4 weeks. If Dr. Lupo is out there somewhere - Is this course if action being taken by my doctor correct??
In 2006 my wife Carol was diagnosed with Hyper Thyroid and took the RI pill on 03/02/2006. The medication prescribed was the generic form of Synthroid 88mcg which was a yellow pill. After almost a year she was not doing good at all experiencing anxiety, no appetite, weight loss, feeling cold and constantly pacing around the house. To help with this she was on Paxil a well as Alprazolam.
The Endocrinologist was ok with the TSH/T-4 results but suggested a very small % of patients are allergic to yellow dye so on 03/02/07 she changed the med to 112mcg of Synthroid which wasn’t yellow. In a matter of a few weeks she was like a new person and weaned herself off of all tranquilizers. From 03/02/07 until 04/29/08 or over a year she was fine.
On 01/29/08 after reviewing the recent TSH/T-4 results the Dr. changed her med to Synthroid 100mcg which was a yellow pill.
On 04/29 after going to the dentist and being informed of extensive bone loss and the possibility of her losing her teeth she immediately developed the same symptoms she had when she was having problems with the thyroid.
Both she and I found it strange how a trauma such as being informed of bone loss could cause the same symptoms the thyroid did. After a while we both realized the med change on 01/29/08 was to a yellow pill.
On 06/03/2008 she was seen by the endocrinologist and we reviewed the above as well as other TSH/T-4 tests and the doctor changed the med again to Synthroid 88mcg.
It’s now 1 month and her hands are trembling very badly and I’m very concerned. She always had a slight tremble but nothing like this. The family doctor has her back on Paxil and generic Xanax but I feel it’s a thyroid problem and not a nerve problem. I can’t understand why the endocrinologist took her off the 112mcg as she was very normal taking it. I would appreciate any thought you have.
Limits 0.350-5.50 4.5-12.0
Date TSH T-4 Med
12/01/05 0.01 2.4 None
01/26/06 0.70 1.1 None
03/02/06 Took RI Pill
03/06/06 3.13 1.3 None (Meds were no started at this time)
07/06/06 13.88 1.3 88mcg Generic (Levothyroxine Yellow??)
11/08/06 1.549 11.4 88mcg Generic
02/27/07 7.0 7.5 88mcg Generic
03/02/07 Started 112.mcg Synthroid
05/29/07 1.55 11.1 112 mcg Synthroid (Rose Pill)
01/21/08 0.615 12.2 112 mcg Synthroid (Rose Pill)
01/29/08 Started 100 mcg Synthroid Yellow
05/20/08 0.954 11.2 100 mcg Synthroid (Yellow Pill)
06/03/08 Started 88mcg Synthroid (Olive Pill)
The Endocrinologist was ok with the TSH/T-4 results but suggested a very small % of patients are allergic to yellow dye so on 03/02/07 she changed the med to 112mcg of Synthroid which wasn’t yellow. In a matter of a few weeks she was like a new person and weaned herself off of all tranquilizers. From 03/02/07 until 04/29/08 or over a year she was fine.
On 01/29/08 after reviewing the recent TSH/T-4 results the Dr. changed her med to Synthroid 100mcg which was a yellow pill.
On 04/29 after going to the dentist and being informed of extensive bone loss and the possibility of her losing her teeth she immediately developed the same symptoms she had when she was having problems with the thyroid.
Both she and I found it strange how a trauma such as being informed of bone loss could cause the same symptoms the thyroid did. After a while we both realized the med change on 01/29/08 was to a yellow pill.
On 06/03/2008 she was seen by the endocrinologist and we reviewed the above as well as other TSH/T-4 tests and the doctor changed the med again to Synthroid 88mcg.
It’s now 1 month and her hands are trembling very badly and I’m very concerned. She always had a slight tremble but nothing like this. The family doctor has her back on Paxil and generic Xanax but I feel it’s a thyroid problem and not a nerve problem. I can’t understand why the endocrinologist took her off the 112mcg as she was very normal taking it. I would appreciate any thought you have.
Limits 0.350-5.50 4.5-12.0
Date TSH T-4 Med
12/01/05 0.01 2.4 None
01/26/06 0.70 1.1 None
03/02/06 Took RI Pill
03/06/06 3.13 1.3 None (Meds were no started at this time)
07/06/06 13.88 1.3 88mcg Generic (Levothyroxine Yellow??)
11/08/06 1.549 11.4 88mcg Generic
02/27/07 7.0 7.5 88mcg Generic
03/02/07 Started 112.mcg Synthroid
05/29/07 1.55 11.1 112 mcg Synthroid (Rose Pill)
01/21/08 0.615 12.2 112 mcg Synthroid (Rose Pill)
01/29/08 Started 100 mcg Synthroid Yellow
05/20/08 0.954 11.2 100 mcg Synthroid (Yellow Pill)
06/03/08 Started 88mcg Synthroid (Olive Pill)
Hi ladies,
The increase in meds will take about 4 - 6 weeks to reach a steady level , but the medicine will begin working immediately that you take it. So don't worry that it will be 6 weeks before your baby benefits. That is not true. Do discuss with your doctor. I am sure she will also be able to reassure you.
I am also about 8 weeks pregnant. This was planned and my doctor also made sure that my FT3 and FT4 were mid to high-normal before I started trying to get pregnant.
Here's what my Dr. is doing. He will be testing thyroid function every 4 weeks and I will be seeing him every 4 weeks. Though he will not look at TSH, only FT3 and FT4, which he wants to keep high normal range. He will add meds. as soon as the levels look like they are dropping.
Your doctor will have your own plan for you.
Your pregnancies is still early. Important thing is to get the thyroid regulated now and closely monitored through the rest of your pregnancy.
My Dr told me that the need for thyroid will increase as the pregnancy progresses, with an increase in meds of somewhere between 25 - 50% anticipated.
Best wishes for the next 7 months.
Sally
The increase in meds will take about 4 - 6 weeks to reach a steady level , but the medicine will begin working immediately that you take it. So don't worry that it will be 6 weeks before your baby benefits. That is not true. Do discuss with your doctor. I am sure she will also be able to reassure you.
I am also about 8 weeks pregnant. This was planned and my doctor also made sure that my FT3 and FT4 were mid to high-normal before I started trying to get pregnant.
Here's what my Dr. is doing. He will be testing thyroid function every 4 weeks and I will be seeing him every 4 weeks. Though he will not look at TSH, only FT3 and FT4, which he wants to keep high normal range. He will add meds. as soon as the levels look like they are dropping.
Your doctor will have your own plan for you.
Your pregnancies is still early. Important thing is to get the thyroid regulated now and closely monitored through the rest of your pregnancy.
My Dr told me that the need for thyroid will increase as the pregnancy progresses, with an increase in meds of somewhere between 25 - 50% anticipated.
Best wishes for the next 7 months.
Sally
Thank you so much for your support. And I echo your sentiments - wishing you all the best for your pregnancy
I am experiencing the same worry as you! I, too, am 8 weeks pregnant and just found out my TSH level was 7.8. I spoke with my OB and he assured me that with proper medication there is little to worry about. However, everything I have read says there is quite a bit to be worred about. I hope we both will have a happy, healthy pregnancies with the best outcome...healthy babies! I'll be watching your post for an expert answer.
Erin
Erin
Sorry - I meant TSH levels above
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