my daughter is expecting first child/has tsh level 4.7

[Lucy79752]

My daughter has just started her second trimester of her pregnancy.  The physician's office called and said that she had a TSH level of 4.7 and that was a little low.  They want to put her on medication.  What is the acceptable range for TSH levels during pregnancy?  And is 4.7 in fact low or high?  I have heard that high is worse for the baby.  Please help.

[kitty9309]

Your daughter should take the meds and shoot for a TSH of less than 2.5, at least.
She has hypothyroidism which means a low functioning thyroid. The TSH will be high in this case.
As long as her thyroid hormones are normal (free t3 and free t4), the elevated TSH is OK.  The baby would suffer if the mother didn't have enough thyroid hormone for the baby. With a TSH of 4.7, the free t3/4 are more than likely normal.
I wouldn't worry in her case. Her hypothyroidism is mild, though requires treatment- which she is getting.

[Karly122]

It's very important for the baby that the mother has proper amounts of thyroid during pregnancy.  I would encourage her to start treatment.  Though it is mild hypothyroidism, why risk it?  The effects on the baby could be devastating.
-Karly