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Pregnant with hypothyroid... what to do next?
Hi everyone,
I'm a 33 year old female and was excited to recently discover that I am pregnant for the first time. However for about a year now I have suffered from some form of thyroid dysfunction, without symptoms. It was accidentally discovered that my TSH levels were swinging from .8, to 5, then down to 2, then to 6, etc. My doctors have been tracking this without treatment though, as the TSH levels would stabilize for long periods in between the fluctuations and they have been uncertain as to whether this was a temporary phenomenon. I should also note here that no Hashimoto's antibodies have been found and my T3 and T4 have been within normal levels.
Recently though (and prior to my pregnancy), I had a thyroid ultrasound which showed evidence of Hashi's thyroiditis, via a heterogeneous pattern, increased vascularity and slight enlargement. Antibodies have still not been detected in my bloodwork.
Immediately upon discovering I was pregnant (literally, the same day) my endo checked my TSH and discovered it is quite high now, at 7.2. Now I am concerned about the health and viability of my pregnancy, since I have not been on replacement hormone to date. They want to put me on 50 mg of Synthroid asap and test me every 2-4 weeks in the near term to see how my levels are doing. In the meantime though, does anyone have any data, or even anecdotal success stories, of similar situations that resulted in a healthy birth?
I'm a 33 year old female and was excited to recently discover that I am pregnant for the first time. However for about a year now I have suffered from some form of thyroid dysfunction, without symptoms. It was accidentally discovered that my TSH levels were swinging from .8, to 5, then down to 2, then to 6, etc. My doctors have been tracking this without treatment though, as the TSH levels would stabilize for long periods in between the fluctuations and they have been uncertain as to whether this was a temporary phenomenon. I should also note here that no Hashimoto's antibodies have been found and my T3 and T4 have been within normal levels.
Recently though (and prior to my pregnancy), I had a thyroid ultrasound which showed evidence of Hashi's thyroiditis, via a heterogeneous pattern, increased vascularity and slight enlargement. Antibodies have still not been detected in my bloodwork.
Immediately upon discovering I was pregnant (literally, the same day) my endo checked my TSH and discovered it is quite high now, at 7.2. Now I am concerned about the health and viability of my pregnancy, since I have not been on replacement hormone to date. They want to put me on 50 mg of Synthroid asap and test me every 2-4 weeks in the near term to see how my levels are doing. In the meantime though, does anyone have any data, or even anecdotal success stories, of similar situations that resulted in a healthy birth?
Hi,
your Dr's treatment plan sounds correct, including the frequency of monitoring.
Although 7.2 is higher than it should be I doubt that the baby will be affected, particular as you are starting treatment already.
Please make sure your doctor tests FT3 and Ft4 as well as TSH. As it is the FT4 that is considered important to be maintained near top of range throughout the pregnancy.
it is also normal that your medication will have to be increased throughout the pregnancy.
Congratulations on your pregnancy.
I was got pregnant a 21 months ago. I was treated hypo. I had to increase my med dose by about 50% over the course of the pregnancy. We tested every 4 weeks and also adjusted nearly every month for the first 6 months. I had an eventful pregnancy, but that had nothing to do with the thyroid med dosing which went very smoothly. My baby is now 11 months old and very smart and doing everything she should.
There are plenty of success stories for this. As long as you are properly monitored and medicated all is likely to be good.
You may continue to need meds after the pregnancy so make sure your doc monitors you well.
Best wishes
your Dr's treatment plan sounds correct, including the frequency of monitoring.
Although 7.2 is higher than it should be I doubt that the baby will be affected, particular as you are starting treatment already.
Please make sure your doctor tests FT3 and Ft4 as well as TSH. As it is the FT4 that is considered important to be maintained near top of range throughout the pregnancy.
it is also normal that your medication will have to be increased throughout the pregnancy.
Congratulations on your pregnancy.
I was got pregnant a 21 months ago. I was treated hypo. I had to increase my med dose by about 50% over the course of the pregnancy. We tested every 4 weeks and also adjusted nearly every month for the first 6 months. I had an eventful pregnancy, but that had nothing to do with the thyroid med dosing which went very smoothly. My baby is now 11 months old and very smart and doing everything she should.
There are plenty of success stories for this. As long as you are properly monitored and medicated all is likely to be good.
You may continue to need meds after the pregnancy so make sure your doc monitors you well.
Best wishes
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