Really struggling, please help - T3 in pregnancy

[Kai_63]

There doesn't seem to be a definitive answer re conception and pregnancy when struggling with T3 but I have more questions since I last posted on this. I have been taking 100mcg Levo for 5 months.

I have had another blood test, TSH is 0.15miu/L, (2 months ago it was 0.40 so it is dropping) fT4 20.9pmol/L, fT3 was low normal at 3.2pmol/L (3.1-6.8) (2 months ago it was 3.5 so it seems to be dropping). I still get tired and dry skin symptoms despite all my vitamin ranges being optimal.

The doctor has advised a genetic test to check whether my body is failing to convert T4 to T3 (I am pretty certain it will show it is). He would be happy to treat me if this shows Levo alone isn't working but he says it is ultimately my decision as there are no conclusive directions about taking T3 during conception/pregnancy.

Has anyone taken T3 in pregnancy? Has anyone had issues converting T3 and successfully carried to term without issues and without T3 treatment despite low levels?

I am really confused and don't know what to do now.

Thanks

[humanbean]

I don't know about T3 in pregnancy. But NDT contains T3 and every treated hypothyroid woman who got pregnant from about the 1890s up to the 1960s or 1970s would have taken NDT. There is no information that I've ever come across suggesting that, for example, miscarriage or stillbirth was rife or that hypothyroid women were having unhealthy babies.

[Kai_63 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you, that's what my doctor says. But he did also say that just because there are no cases that he is aware of, he can't say there were no issues at the time. So it's my decision and my risk ultimately.

I just don't feel I can make an informed decision with the information (or lack of). And I would hate to lose a baby or have a baby who suffered complications (or worse) because I personally chose to take a risk of this kind.

Would you say on balance it would be better to risk ttc/having a baby with T3 treatment than risk ttc/have a baby without T3 treatment?

What are the possible outcomes (in terms of my health and that of the baby) with both situations?

[humanbean in reply to Kai_63]

I'm sorry, but I don't know the answers to your questions.

I can understand why you are worrying so much about it though, and I hope everything goes well for you.

[Kai_63]

Thank you, I am realising just how complicated it is!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Post your most recent vitamin results here, including ranges and what supplements you take

With vitamins, being in range is not the same as optimal.

[Kai_63]

Thanks, can vitamins affect T3?

Red cell folate and active B12 was not reduced, renal

and liver function were normal, Hb was 118g/L, ferritin 58mcg/L ( take iron

tablets), TPO antibody was elevated at 173mu/L. Vitamin D is 90.

[EleanorM-G]

You are right, there is very little info.

I am on my 3rd pregnancy with an underactive thyroid (currently 31wks.) I have taken T3 (NDT & extra T3) throughout my 1st 2 pregnancies & I have 2 very healthy children. (Of course, that's just my experience & I can't guarantee it will be the same for you.)

This pregnancy I switched from NDT to Levo at 16wks. (It's a long story, bu I didn't switch because of health concerns with T3) However my last set of test results show my T3 is dropping again, so I am probs my going to start adding T3 to my Levo again this wk.

[Kai_63 in reply to EleanorM-G]

Oh thank you so much for confirming! I hope I won't have to take too much NDT to convert as close to T3 range.

Congrats by the way!