Should thyroid be monitored?

[Kitcat12]

So I've just seen a few posts about ladies with thyroid conditions being monitored by their clinics. I have no thyroid but have never been monitored by my clinic or even asked anything about my condition by my clinic. My levothyroxine levels weren't changed during my pregnancy and now I'm wondering if that may have been why I lost the pregnancy. Should I be worried?

[Kitcat12]

The more I read about this, the more angry and upset I'm becoming. It seems that my levels should have been adjusted as soon as I had the positive test. How has no medical professional told me about this?

[Foodie23 in reply to Kitcat12]

Hi Kitcat, I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. It’s beyond stressful to feel like you can’t count on the professionals you expect to have the answers.

I had my thyroid checked at my GP and they said it was normal. My clinic didn’t mention anything when they saw my records. After a post I saw here, I did my own research and ended up going to a private endocrinologist. She told me I had borderline hypothyroidism and it definitely needed to come down to support a pregnancy.

Unfortunately, because I saw a private doctor, my GP refused to treat me. Thyroid issues require regular blood monitoring, which can get expensive. Considering your history, I recommend asking your GP for a TSH, T3 and T4 test as well as a consultation with an endocrinologist to go over your results. Other ladies here have told me you should have a right to this because of the infertility, not to mention your loss.

I don’t know how not having a thyroid affects the body. I was told my TSH should be below 2.0 for a healthy pregnancy. Ideally it would be closer to 1.6 or so because your TSH requirements go up in pregnancy.

I wish you the best of luck! Xx

[Foodie23 in reply to Foodie23]

Accept no less than a consultation with an endocrinologist. Ideally someone with experience monitoring thyroid levels in pregnancy. Unfortunately, the GPs and fertility clinics just don’t have the expertise.

[Kitcat12 in reply to Foodie23]

This is so helpful, I've booked to go for my levels checked. Can you advise what I am looking for them to be? I'm in a slight panic as I'm due for a FET in 3 weeks time which doesn't give me long to get results back and change dosage if necessary.

[May37 in reply to Kitcat12]

Hi this may help

btf-thyroid.org/information...

[Sarah_37]

So sorry to read this. I have just had a right battle this afternoon to get someone to listen to me after being fobbed off. I work in healthcare so luckily I have a fair amount of knowledge in it but find it frustrating that I have to complain for them to get a doctor to look at it. The consultant has said yes I need to up my dose and have it retested in 2 weeks. I asked for a copy of the guidelines. The nurse I spoke to first tried to tell me they will just go off the GP levels in pregnancy, really frustrating. Hope everything works out ok for u, I had a bleed yesterday but won’t know the outcome till next week xx

[Kitcat12 in reply to Sarah_37]

It was actually your post that set me off on my reading. I'm so sorry to see what you're going through. I'm in utter shock that not a single person has so much as mentioned the fact that this could effect my chances of a successful pregnancy. I'm so so angry. I have everything crossed for you darling, I hope you get good news x

[Sarah_37 in reply to Kitcat12]

Thank u, I hope it makes a difference to u too x

[Cinderella5]

I was put on levothyroxine after my thyroid levels being 4.96. My clinic abroad wanted it to be under 2 and my GP agreed for conception it needed to be lowered. I had my thyroid checked after my positive test but before I even did that I got told by my clinic to up from 50 to 75 of levothyroxine. It was really only my own knowledge and being on here that I knew thyroid should be checked as pregnancy can throw it out however mine was 1.5 when tested so it hadn't had time to affect me.xx

[Kitcat12]

Thank you all, I have just booked to have my levels checked before my upcoming FET. What am I looking for? Had this condition since birth and only usually get levels checked once a year and am always just told it's 'normal'. Never been told the actual levels before. And if I test positive again who should I be asking to up my thyroxine dosage? GP or clinic? Current dose is 125mg daily and has been since I was in my early 20s.

[Sarah_37 in reply to Kitcat12]

I’ve just been upped to 150 from 125 today and it was the clinic that finally took the responsibility x

[Kitcat12 in reply to Sarah_37]

Brilliant, thanks for the advice.

[Sarah_37 in reply to Kitcat12]

Make sure u ask for a print out of your results to give to the clinic x

[Cinderella5 in reply to Kitcat12]

I think your clinic will prescribe. I was only prescribed by my GP as my clinic was abroad so they gave me a letter to ask my GP to prescribe. Your clinic may well have checked your levels when you first went to the clinic but you need it up to date. My thyroid was affecting my prolactin levels too so get both checked. If you get your BFP I would think your midwife care would take over monitoring your levels or they may even refer you to an endocrinologist. Good luck, hope you get it sorted out!!xx

[Kitcat12 in reply to Cinderella5]

Thank you, very helpful! Hope you're well my dear and looking after yourself x

[May37]

Hi I posted below link to British thyroid foundation and their test ranges. Their website is very useful. I've had lots thyroid issues over and under so happy to chat x

[Kitcat12]

Little update, I had my levels checked and my dose has been raised. I'm still going to ask for a print out of results to take to the clinic on Thursday but I'm so glad I went for the bloods! And I'll be sure to explain the situation to the clinic. Thanks all for your help!

[Hoping2019]

I'm on levothyroxine too and my clinic helped get to the dose to get my TSH below 2.0. My GP was really unhelpful as said below 5 was ok! It's frustrating how we have to research and push these things ourselves but definitely raise and get tested before your FET x