Untreated Hyperthyroidism and Pregnancy

[rvaughn]

About 2 months ago I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidsim. My husband and I recently decided we wanted to start trying for a baby. I tried taking Tapazole as a treatment, but kept having a reaction to the medication, come to find out I can't take PTU either if I'm reacting to Tapazole negatively. Another option for treatment would be to do the radioactive iodine, which I have scheduled August 4th at UCLA. However, I was reviewing my labs and noticed that my T4 was at 1.6... within normal range this time. My TSH was <.02 which is extremely below normal range. My concern is that I'm going to permanantly correct a problem that may correct itself. I was on birth control for about 6 years and stopped taking it in November 2008. I can't help but wonder if this hyperthyroidism was really my hormones attempting to level out or if it's normal for TSH and T4 levels to drastically fluxuate while untreated. If I choose not to treat my hyperthyroidism now, will it be a struggle to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy full term? Will I be causing harm to myself (like provoking CHF)? Or is this something that I absolutely should do before having children? Anyone been where I'm at now? If so, any advice?

[Smilerdeb]

Hyperthyroidism can cause foetal defects in the unborn foetus and can also cause stillbirth (sorry to say) unless treated properly all the way through the pregnancy.
Have you had antibody testing done for Graves Disease?
If not, I would suggest to hold back on RAI until you know.

There are a few antithyroid meds...
PTU
Carbimazole
Methimazole


2 months since diagnosis is not enough time to try the antithyroid meds ....you need to give yourself at least a year if you can.
This also gives you the time to research everything about Hyperthyroidism.

But you do need anti=thyroid meds if your levels are unstable, regardless of whether you want to become pregnant or not as you can experience Thyroid Storm (Atrial Fibrillation) if the Ft3 and FT4 go too high and this in itself is a very dangerous condition that can lead to death left untreated.
I dont mean to scare you but get yr antibodies tested and DEMAND a FreeT3 test and Free T4 ...NOT the normal T's testing. Those tests are outdated and can be false and misleading.

Let us know how you go.

[skeeterknitwit]

This is certainly a tough one.  Do you know the cause of your hyperthyroid?  I do not know if hyperT effects fertility.
I DO know that you should study up on radioactive iodine treatment.  You MUST NOT get pregnant for 6 months or more afterward.  It can cause  birth defects.
When you are treated with RAI, you will not correct the problem so that you will be normal.  You simply trade one condition(hyper) that is difficult to control for another condition (hypo)that is easier to control with meds.

Since your T4 is within normal range, you might want to re-think treatment.  It could take several months for your TSH to get back to normal.