Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Pregnancy

[charitytheteacher]

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroid a year and a half ago and most recently Hashimoto's.  I am currently 18 weeks pregnant  and have been reading quite a bit on the subject.  I've been seeing an endocrinologist and just recently had some labs done to check my levels during pregnancy.  I'm currently taking .75mg Synthroid.  My recent TSH was 2.25.  The doctor didn't seem concerned even though the level has gone up since my last testing.  Should I be concerned?  I've read how having hypothyroid can cause preterm babies, low IQ's, still birth and other such complications.  I'm already considered high risk because of past complications and I've been off and on bedrest this pregnancy.  I just want to make sure that I am doing everything possible to have a safe and healthy pregnancy.  Thank you!

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

Your TSH sounds ok, though it could still be slightly lower. I understand that the target in pregnancy is 0.5 - 2.0.  Probably your doc should increase by about 25 mcg of thyroxine with your current level.

Has he measured your FT3 and FT4?  

How often are you testing?  During pregnancy should test every 4  - 6 weeks, and adjust meds accordingly.

I am 33 weeks pregnant and have hypothyroid.  My doc only looks at FT3 and FT4 during pregnancy and adjusts to make sure levels of both are high normal.  I am on a combination of thyroxine and dessicated thyroid.  I doubled the thyroxine over the first 6 months (increasing by 25 mcg every month for the first 4 months, and increased the dessicated by 30%.  For the last 2 months my levels have been stable and no adjustments.

My experience and yours can be different. My thyroid appears not to work at all (they don't know why, and I also seem to need high doses of thyroid hormone to get the required response).  However,  as you are taking .75 mg of Synthyroid (less than full replacement), you appear to have some thyroid function.  This is also good as your body can contribute towards making thyroid hormone.

With your levels I don't believe there would be significant risk to your baby.  The serious risk comes with untreated hypothyroid.

Please keep working closely with your doctor.  Hope this helps.

[charitytheteacher]

Thank you!  That does help some :)