Existing hypothyroidism post pregnancy, any exp... - Thyroid UK

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Existing hypothyroidism post pregnancy, any experiences?

wofts profile image
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Hi, I am looking for experiences of hypothyroidism post pregnancy and how it may play out! I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after my first pregnancy, it didn't disappear within the year so postpartum hypothyroidism was ruled out. I stabilised my TSH etc on 100mcg of levo. Small increase in pregnancy but back on same dose straight after birth. I am now 3.5 months postpartum, and the last two blood tests I have had have been low TSH 0.01 so I am slightly hyper from over-medication. I assumed that it would settle back and I should not adjust my medication just yet to see how it pans out, I really was reluctant to reduce my medication only for my levels to rapidly rise. Anyway i am now feeling symptomatic sometimes of the over-medication, getting heart palpitations and a bit of insomnia. I am keen to hear if anyone has any experiences? Is it possible that my condition has improved? Will it worsen soon as my hormones settle down. I am tempted to just lessen my medication but I know that if my TSH suddenly rises and my levels become hypo, I will be symptomatic and exhausted, and I really couldn't cope with that with a newborn and a toddler!

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Clutter profile image
Clutter

Wofts,

Suppressed TSH 0.01 does not mean you are over medicated if FT4 is within range. Do you have an FT4 result?

If you *feel* over medicated make a small reduction say 75/100mcg alternate days and see whether symptoms improve. It will take 7-10 days for the higher dose to wash out before you are likely to notice much improvement. A small dose reduction won't cause a big rise in TSH. If you buy a pillcutter from your local pharmacy you should be able to 1/4 the 100mcg tablet. It doesn't matter if the quarters are a little uneven. If you being to feel a little undermedicated just resume taking 100mcg.

I don't think anyone can tell you that your hypothyroid condition has improved or not or that there won't be further ajustments when your pregnancy hormones have settled. It is even possible that this hot weather is why you are feeling a little over medicated. Thyroid levels rise in warm weather and some people do reduce dose slightly during the summer.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Before you consider changing dose, suggest you get levels of vitamin D, folate, B12 & ferritin checked. If these are low it stops us using the thyroid hormones and you can feel hyper.

You say in previous post that you had high antibodies in past. Therefore you have autoimmune Hashimoto's so you might want to consider changing your diet to gluten free to see if it makes a difference. Many of us find it really helps improve symptoms and may even reduce antibodies

Read more about Hashimoto's at The Thyroid Pharmacist website

Also Chris Kresser or Amy Myers both have informative websites too

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