Hypothyroid & miscarriage

[RRBJES]

I was diagnosed hypothyroid when my 4th child was 6 months (2 1/2 years ago). Last September I had my first miscarriage (10 weeks by dates but 'baby' had died at about 6 weeks). Although I was very upset, knowing the miscarriage rate I felt that maybe that was my 1 in 5. Unexpectedly I fell pregnant again immediately. This pregnancy was much the same & again ended in miscarriage at around 11 weeks (though 'baby' had again died at around 6 weeks). Obvioulsy it has been a struggle coping with 2 miscarriages in such a short period of time & I really wonder if there could be any link with my thyroid problem. I wonder about antibodies etc but really know so little. Can you help?
I did have levels carefully monitered  & had increased my thyroxin by 25mg a day (T4 -15 & TSH-1.92 in December shortly before 2nd miscarriage).
Thanks
Rebecca

[chigirl29]

Also, the extra estrogen in pregnancy can inhibit your thyroid meds--so I don't know if you need to change brands or dosages--I know you said you were changing doses.
I would try to find a good endo who has pregnancy experience--some may not have patients that make the connection.

[chigirl29]

I thought maybe you would need more info so I found a link about thyroid/pregnancy:

What is the interaction between the thyroid function of the mother and the baby?
For the first 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is completely dependent on the mother for the production of thyroid hormone. By the end of the first trimester, the baby’s thyroid begins to produce thyroid hormone on its own. The baby, however, remains dependent on the mother for ingestion of adequate amounts of iodine, which is essential to make the thyroid hormones. The World Health Organization recommends iodine intake of 200 micrograms/day during pregnancy to maintain adequate thyroid hormone production. The normal diet in the United States contains sufficient iodine so additional iodine supplementation is rarely necessary.
http://www.thyroid.org/patients/patient_brochures/pregnancy.html

[chigirl29]

I am very sorry to hear about your miscarriages. My friend went through this, but it was not related to the thyroid--she never knew--finally--she conceived a gorgeous baby and she is now a gorgeous pre-schooler.

Do you see an Endo while pregnant?  You really need to as it would help.  You just have to ask for them to perform a thyroid antibody test along with your other tests.

An embryo begins using its own thyroid about about 10-12 weeks so it is dependent on you in the meantime. I would find a new endo and talk about your pregancies.  He or she would be better able to help you.

I hope you get things figured out...take care.

[kitty9309]

Some articles say there is a link between thyroid antibodies and miscarriage. Some say there is no relationship.

Here are some article links on the subject:

http://www.thyroidmanager.org/Chapter14/ch01s04.html

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/403587

I am sorry for the loss of your babies. I hope this info helps.