Seeing ob/gyn tomorrow but on notes from the doctor listed online it states that "results are consistent with Hashimotos, retest in 4 weeks". I am currently 34 weeks pregnant and considered high risk due to unknown reasons for miscarriage (had 10) and 2 preterm labors (one due to complications at 26 weeks other at 36 weeks reason unknown).
A little back history: diagnosed hypothyroid in 2002 ( age 19, standard symptoms) after birth of first child, on 50 mg medication for a few years. 2009 diagnosed Hashimotos after preterm birth of 2nd child, no medication slightly hyperthyroid. usually get tested twice a year and results in "normal range" never saw actual results so I never questioned it but always feel crappy/standard hypo symptoms
Just concerned if I should let ob/gyn manage it or see a specialist.
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KrisLann
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Don't worry is the first thing. This is not extreme given your history. Rest get out in the sun when you can and make sure you are getting enough Vitamin C
Get tested again 2 weeks after delivery and see what's changed then.
Having any endocrine problem is complicated and your gp and ob are not suited to know how to help. I would definitely go and see a specialist. You mentioned that you always feel like crap. My advice is never to accept it. With help from a specialist once you have had the baby, find the right medication for you. I now take both T3 anf thyroxine. It made a huge difference. But as i mentioned it is complicated and with thyroid problems you need to stay on top of things. Medication needs to be adjusted continuously. You need to know your own body and when you feel like crap go to the Dr . Too many people think it's that feeling bad is part of the condition. feeling bad is having the wrong treatment! Sadly this will be a permanent battle because so many elements effect your thyroid level, but if you stay on top of things, then thete will be many times where you feel completely normal and that is worth it.
Well have a word with I lbs and gym and see if they have a member of the team who specialises with hypo mums abd ask questions. Make sure they are familiar with your past history and judge from there replies whether you feel safe with there comments. Ask for warning sounds etc. As well as being prepared you also need to be worry free so if they can ease any worries etc then good but it also alerts them to your concerns as well. Hopefully someone who has been through this will offer advice from experience. In the UK I've read of women who have seen a dedicated midwife for such things and others that seem very much in the dark so bit patchy. It I'm assuming you are in the US (?) do no idea how things work over there.
yes in the us. My ob/gyn said they are mostly concerned with my tsh during pregnancy (at this stage) and mine is ok, they just want to keep an eye on everything and test again this month.
thank you for the info I dont have the ranges but was told t3 was low, t4 normal and antibodies high.... and yes I havent been on meds for close to 10 years
Worth sorting that after the birth then as you're likely to get worse then.
T3 treatment or NDT sounds like it would be the ideal as T3 low and T4 in range. T3 is the active hormone that all our cells need so if you're not converting T4 to T3 that's the problem.
You may have the faulty D102 gene
If you bloat and feel crap you may need to consider gluten/Casein free especially with Hashimotos.
You haven't I clouded the ranges with your results, do you have them to hand? As you are near the end of your pregnancy ( congratulations by the way!) then I would ask to see a specialist, ask your obs/gyn if they have anyone who specialises in hashi in pregnancy ( though I'm thinking you should have already been seeing them if they had) if not push to see someone outside their office that deals with both.
I can't understand why they took you off medication as this condition rarely rights itself.
Your antibodies are in the low side at the moment but that doesn't mean they haven't been higher in the past, so you need help with trying to keep them down. If my tag was at that level I would be feeling ill too, it ideally needs to be around 1 or under and your t4 looks low going by my own ranges but without your lab ranges we are a little stuck. Have you had all your vits tested? Iron b12 vit d etc as these need to be optimal to help the thyroid work? Relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and have a safe delivery, but do ask at your next visit
thank you. I dont have the ranges but was told t3 is low, t4 and tsh normal with the antibodies high. I have always just seen my general/family practice doc and havent been on meds for close to 10 years.... because they said my results were normal. Iron is good but for the rest I dont think it was tested, will definitely follow up with a specialist after pregnancy.
Hi Kris, I can't imagine the hope and despair you've been through. I'm aghast that the medical profession cannot figure more than "unknown" when analyzing your difficulties. I no longer have any expectations but this is a new low. You definitely have hormonal issues but perhaps there are other issues as well. All I can offer is this man who seems to know so much about hormones and women's health. This video is about thyroid and adrenal hormones but your adrenal glands control more than cortisol. The sex hormones and steroids are made from cholesterol. Perhaps you have an anatomical situation as well.
If you learn something from this video, perhaps you can look into his many other informative lessons.
You're not producing enough thyroid hormones (Free T4 0.8 -2.8 ng/dL). You are at the bottom for Free T4 and should be well toward the top of the range. With your Free T3 (2.3- 4.2 pg/mL) you are also at the bottom of the range. Your Free T3 should be nearer the top of the range for optimal health. Since you are pregnant, you can't wait weeks to get things going. You will soon have a baby to take care of and need to feel well to do so.
Taking Thyroxine (T4) alone will not do it for you. You need more than that and you need it right away. A supplement of T3 by way of an NDT (Natural Desiccated Thyroid) product could help you tremendously. It will give you both T4 and T3 (38 mcg. and 9 mcg., respectively). Or T3 could be added to the T4 you now take.
Whomever is treating you for thyroid issues should be fired. Get to a specialist as soon as you can and when you are looking for a specialist, ask if they use T3 when needed. If they don't, then keep looking. If you can find a Doctor of Functional Medicine or an Endocrinologist who practices as if it is the 21st century -- that will do.
Hashimoto's is well-known to swing back and forth between being hypo to hyper. You were in a hyper state and then forgotten about and left to fend for yourself. When Hashi's later went back to hypo (and perhaps stayed), no one was increasing the thyroid hormone you needed for optimal health. Unfortunately, this happens to the best of us.
Please read the articles below. They will help you gain an understanding of how this all works and what it is you most likely need to regain your health and well-being.
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