Reading up on postpartum thyroiditis, the effects of which are currently being movingly described by Ameliasmummy, I see that having thyroid antibodies at low levels before pregnancy increases a woman's chances of developing this.
Obviously, this risk isn't big enough for the NHS to justify screening. But - should those of us with thyroid antibodies be making sure our daughters check to see if they have any (privately, obviously) before getting pregnant?
I think I'm going to do that. I think pregnancy probably triggered my own condition. And if something like 3 per cent of young people in Germany have "asymptomatic" antibodies - as I read in research - then there are many young women at risk out there.
Aspmama, I have advised my niece to get a thyroid test so she has a baseline 'feel good' level as her mother has Graves and I had Hashimoto's. She thinks it's a good idea but I doubt she'll get around to it while she feels well but I hope she does it before she tries to conceive.
If I could wave my magic wand thyroid levels would be tested at puberty, pre-conception, during pregnancy and post pregnancy.
Absolutely. Especially as there may be links to developmental delays for a percentage of babies of mothers with subclinical, undiagnosed thyroiditis. Says the mother of the Asperger's son.
Aspmama, mind you, knowing you felt well with TSH x, FT4y and FT3z isn't much use when you have doctors who stick to the 'your results are normal' mindset.
Sure, but if you had proof that you had thyroid antibodies at the beginning of pregnancy you'd have a good platform to make them check on your thyroid during the pregnancy - pulling out the research. And you'd also have good motivation to check your ferritin etc at the beginning and keep your iron, D and B vitamins up throughout. And you'd be on the watch for any thyroiditis after the birth - apparently it is often missed.
Amelia's mummy here. New username. After everything I'm dealing with I will definitely be keeping a eye on my daughter xx
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