Hypothyroidism symptoms worse after delivery of baby

[416shopaholic26]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2006 when I was 4 months pregnant with my daughter. I could barely get out of bed and was so depressed and moody, I didn't recognize myself. My family GP tested my thyroid levels and found me to be hypothyroid. I began taking synthroid right away. I started at 50mcg, then 75mcg, and finally 100mcg when my thyroid got so bad after the delivery of my daughter that I got an urgent call from my Dr saying that my levels were over 100 (??) and I needed to be upped to the higher dose IMMEDIATELY. After that, everything started to improve; although I never felt "normal"

Since that time I got pregnant and had another baby.I got pregnant in August 2008 I gave birth May 8th (2009) and have not felt well since. I am nearly 5 months postpartum now and have dropped only 20 of the 50 pounds I gained during my pregnancy. I dropped that weight within the first month and have not lost a pound in 4 months! I could eat salads only and not drop even an ounce!  I am breastfeeding too! I am now 156 pounds and 5ft 5" tall. I have always been a skinny person, averaging between 115-125lbs before my pregnancies and I was back down to 130lbs before I had my last baby ( and I was breastfeeding my daughter till 20 months right up until I got pregnant again). I am back to feeling depressed, moody, my hair falls out, my milk supply gets low (I had milk squirting out of me with my last baby) I get headaches, my eyes are gritty & dry; I just feel awful. I had my family doctor check my levels again 2 weeks ago and was told the are "fine" I have never been told what these actual numbers are and what my personal "normal" level was before I became hypothyroid.

I am so desperate to feel beter. I can't get up in the morning, I am missing out on so much of my life with my kids!! I am only 27 years old. I am desperate to get the help I need to feel better. My levels may be "in the normal range" but this is not normal for me; I know my body!

I appreciate any help or comments you may have to offer :)

THANK YOU!

[stella5349]

Its that way here in the US too. I think they think we - as patients are challenging them.

Don't let that stop you from getting those labs and asking for what will make you better.

It's your health - we all tend to think its the doctors way - or the highway and that is not true.

We have to be apart of the overall medical care we receive - no one will do it for us.

I am reading alot of information out of Canada lately and it seems they are stepping up some with the treatment of T3/T4 thyroid medications.With the shortage here in the states b/c of FDA NDA possibilities - it seems Canada ( erfa ) is stepping up some for the thyroid patients globally.

[416shopaholic26]

Thanks so much for the great advice & suggestions. I did stay hypo between my 2 childrens births and both my maternal & paternal grandmothers have hypothyroidism, so I think I'm pretty well doomed for life as a hypo. :(

I am in canada and because most healthcare services and doctors visits are covered under ohip, it is very hard to find a doctor willing to accept new patients and you cannot get in to see an endo without a refferal from a family doctor. I have put in calls to quite a few endos directly practically begging them to see me and I never get a phone call returned. It's sad. Thankfully I will be moving across the province at the end of october and I will have to switch doctors (I am counting the days!!)

In Canada a lot of doctors get really snippy when you ask for your "numbers" as though it's a personal attack on their judgment/ diagnosis to be interested in your own health. I wish sometimes I had the flexibilty of "taking my business elsewhere" and finding another doctor wasn't so hard. I just want to feel better! I have felt like **** for 3 years now and I just want to feel like myself again!

Thanks again for replying to my post. I am so glad I found this forum. It has been a godsend to read about everyones different stories, so much like my own. I have felt so alone for so long. It's so great to know it's not just me. Thanks again to all. :)

[stella5349]

Oh the years of having babies can really sway these hormones. First off - congrats on the healthy children.

OK - second - lets get you fixed :)  Having children and becoming hypothyroid
( regardless of the gold seal TSH and "normal" levels) is very common. Pregnancy causing a sway of progesterone/estrogen(estrodiol)  levels and when that takes place the thyroid is working very hard at the time you are pregnant. When you deliver the baby - the female hormones shut down in a sort to heal you after the birth and so the other hormones ( thyroid adrenal) are now confused and can sway you into hypothyroidism.

You are obviously being put through the "you're fine" Dx - in your doctors office, but you know you are not. Red states above to get tests and those are the tests you want to get.

Thes temporary shut down - best described - thyroid could be only temporary until things settle down. Many new moms do find that their thyroid levels are now altered after childbirth and will require treatment. They thing here is finding a doctor that will "really" look at this and not just look at a number on the lab sheet.

[redheadaussie]

Pregnancy always needs to be monitored throughout for changes in thryoid levels. Especially immediately after the baby is born, the body changes dramatically and the need to be checked is more important.
  I would suggest to ask your doctor to run Free T4, Free T3 and the TSH plus antibodies as well. Often it is only after pregnancy does a problem show up. The fact they said you are fine is not relevant. You need to know the numbers and getting tested again is the only way. Ask for copies of your results. (You are allowed these.) Then let us have a look.
  It does sound like you are hypo, and you need that fixed sooner than later. Many a post-partum depression is due to a hypo state not being picked up. I would urge you to go to the doctor or at least a new one as soon as you can.
Cheers