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[sochalla]

I was found to have tsh at 16 weeks of pregnancy 4.8 with free t4 of 1.32 and t3 of 3.5 and started on 25 mcg levothyroxineand 50 mcg on weekends at 19 th week beginning and in 16 days TSh was 2.34 , my doc did not get the first trimester labs but my TSh 4 months before pregnancy was 2.4 , i m afraid if my baby cud have been affected , any one who had similar experience in past or present , could you share thanks my diagnosis was subclinical hypothyroidism

[eeng]

Don't worry too much. A high TSH during the first weeks of pregnancy predisposes to miscarriage. You haven't lost the baby so you are OK. I think what happens is that the pregnancy puts a strain on your metabolism and causes your TSH to rise. My feeling is that the baby takes what it needs, leaving you short of thyroid hormones. Once you have given birth both you and your baby will probably be tested to see whether either of you are hypo, and treated accordingly. In the meantime your doctor should probably be increasing your dose a bit - 50mcg a day would be good, enough that your TSH is around 1 - and testing each month to see whether you need a bit more. The last thing you need to do at the moment is worry. Many people don't get tested for hypothyroidism at all during pregnancy and have perfectly normal babies.

[sochalla in reply to eeng]

I donot know what God has destined me to , I feel like crying now and the. Despite several reassurances , I hope my baby will be fine , will pray God that's the only thing I cud do now and try meditation what if my TSh came back even higher I donot know why doctors are so negligent and how the baby is destined depends on the Doctor unfortunately

[EleanorM-G]

Don't worry too much. I have been told for years that there is nothing wrong with my thyroid even though I knew there was, so I self medicated.

I have 2 healthy babies. (Nearly 3yrs old & 1 year old) Despite the problems often associated with an under active thyroid, I had no problems conceiving, & I have never had a miscarriage.

Since the birth of my 2nd baby, docs have agreed I have an under active thyroid & their tests showed I had been under medicating. (I was being too cautious) At this time, I also found out that not only did I need more meds in general, I should have also increased my thyroid meds during pregnancy, which I didn't because I didn't know.

2 things to look out for. I had Gestational Diabetes in both my pregnancies. This is linked to an under active thyroid though few docs seem to know much about it. Most ladies are only offered a GD test if they have "risk factors". Thyroid issues is not on the list, but should be. Push/fight for a test. (Tests are usually done at about 36 wks) if they refuse to test you, ask then to write it in your notes, (they will be scared you will sue them later, the they will usually give in!) & come back on here to chat about how to get your own testing. Un treated diabetes can be very dangerous to the baby. Treated diabetes will mean a lovely birth & a healthy baby.

My 1st baby was premature. The risks of this happening rises with an under active thyroid. (However, at the time of the birth I was under huge amounts of work stress so it could have been that.) if you have anything unusual in your pregnancy, (reduced movement, blood, leaking of waters) go to hospital & tell them 50 million times about your thyroid.

I don't tell you any of this to worry you, but to just prepare you. Doctors know very little about the thyroid so it is you who will need to "force" the info on them for your baby.

Again, I was seriously under medicated & I have 2 healthy, gorgeous baby's. I agree with the other comment, that the most common way thyroid affects pregnancy is usually that people have trouble getting pregnant or that they miscarry early. You are past all of that. Get you bloods taken regularly to stay healthy & to reassure yourself that everything is going fine.

Take a Hypnobirthing course, to learn how to stay calm & relaxed during the pregnancy & birth. (Let me know if you want help finding an instructor in your area. I am a Hypnobirthing teacher.)

This is a very exciting time for you, so make sure you enjoy it Hun! Good luck. Please keep us posted & message me if you need to talk.

[Eddie83]

For future pregnancies, Hypothyroidmom (Dana Trentini) and Mary Shomon wrote a book on how thyroid should be monitored before and during pregnancy. Check out thyroidpregnancybook.com.

[mistydog]

There are new guidelines about prenancy and thyroid monitoring. It says your TSH should be kept below 2 and maintained below that for the duration of the pregnancy. Your doctor should have been advised of this. You need more hormones as stated above. 50mcg a day is a small amount, it won't make you hyper (whatever your doctor may think).

[sochalla]

Why is a thyroid test not included in universal screening test in pregnancy , it's been a lot of psychological stress for a lot of families when HIV and hepatitis are being screened why not thyroid ? Is it because lot of people have thyroid problems ?