T3 in Pregnancy

[mrsalismyth]

Hiya! I've been on T4/T3 combination for a few years. I have absorption issues which have also been sorted through supplements. My TSH recently came back at 13, so thinking absorption is an issue again! Also been trying to have a family with no luck. My Endo has now announced that I can't be on T3 if I were to get pregnant and hat he would stop me from taking It and increase my T4.Which came as a huge shock. Thing is NICE guidelines state the same thing for both levothyroxine and liothyronine and taking these in pregnancy doesn't seem to be a problem and that the maternal hypothyroidism needs to be monitored etc. Am I missing something here?! Anyone offer me any advice of what I do? I feel like if I get pregnant and disregard what he says then he won't treat me during pregnancy which obviously isn't an outcome I want! Help!

[shaws Administrator]

If you are in the UK, guidelines have been given not to prescribe T3 any more as levothyroxine is sufficient (I don't believe that and many on this forum do not).

The main reason is that T3 has increased from about £30 per month to around £500+ but it is stated within the instructions that if we have a clinical need it should not be stopped.

If you look on the right-hand side of the page and Pinned Posts, please sign the T3# Campain as we are trying to rectify the situation.

Others who have been hypo and have had a successful pregnancy will respond.

Blood tests for thyroid hormones have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose and the test and take it afterwards. This helps TSH be at its highest as that seems to be the only result doctors take notice of.

[mrsalismyth in reply to shaws]

I'm aware of the whole T3 scandal and have signed the petition. And I know that T4 only definitely does not work for me. I asked my Endo if I stopped my T3 during pregnancy could I go back on it after and he said yes. But I don't believe him! Thanks for the info 👍🏻 PS I'm in Northern Ireland so much that might make a difference.

[shaws Administrator in reply to mrsalismyth]

T4 doesn't work for me at all either but T4 (levothyroxine) is an inactive hormone. It's job is to convert to T3 but doesn't always do so efficiently.

T3 (liothyronine) is the only Active thyroid hormone required in all of our T3 receptor Cells so I think many doctors are actually ignorant about how hormones work in our bodies and whether or not the patient can convert T4 effectively.

Why should your GP stop T3 if you cannot convert T4 to sufficient T3. It amazes me that they fob off the patient who needs T3 and has a clinical need which they are not supposed to do.

I'd get a private test for both Free T4 and Free T3 before you change your dose and I'll give you a link and these tests are pin-prick home ones. Always test at the earliest, fasting and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test. You will then have a comparison if you do change to T4 only to see if T4 is being converted to T3.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[mrsalismyth in reply to shaws]

Thank you so much for the link 👍🏻 Its ridiculous the whole thing! Puts me off having a baby completely which is a sad thing.

[shaws Administrator in reply to mrsalismyth]

Don't let them bully you. If you want to have a baby it is your right and they should do everything in their power so that you have a healthy pregnancy. These couple of links may be helpful:

hypothyroidmom.com/top-9-na...

hypothyroidmom.com/i-lost-m...

[mrsalismyth in reply to shaws]

Thank you! I've read a lot of Dana's stuff she's brilliant! If I got the Thyroid plus check through Medi Checks would that be sufficient?