4w pregnant + hypothyroidism + depression

[Fortal]

I take 50mcg of eutirox and 10mcg escitalopram a day. Just find out I’m 4weeks pregnant. I will set up appointments Monday morning and need advice.

[shaws Administrator]

If you want to add anything into a post you've just written, you click the down arrow and select edit.

As stated by SlowDragon you are on a starting dose, i.e. 50mcg and the fact that you are also prescribed escitalopram I would get a Full Thyroid Blood Test.

A dose of 50mcg is a starting dose and a 25mcg increase would be due every six weeks until your TSH is 1 or lower with a Free T4 and Free T3 towards the upper part of the ranges.

Many hypothyroid women miscarry due to not having proper advice by the doctor.

I am not medically qualified but the fact that you have been prescribed escitalopram (I assume for depression) that the Thyroid Hormone T3 could also be suitable if we are hypo.

When hypo, the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower, Free T4 and Free T3 in the upper part of the ranges. Few doctors are aware or test the latter two.

When you get your blood test it should always be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levothyroxine (which should be taken - usually first thing on an empty stomach with a full glass of water and wait an hour before eating.

A FTF test is:

TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

If GP wont do all we have private labs which will do so and I'll give a link - just in case you want to do this.

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

Doctors only seem to look at the TSH and if is somewhere in the range (even top) they assume we're on sufficient. We're not unless TSH is 1 and FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the ranges.

You also need B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Always get a print-out of your results, with the ranges. Ranges are important for members to comment upon them.

Levothyroxine is T4 alone. T4 has to convert to T3 (liothyronine) and it is T3 alone which is the ACTIVE thyroid hormone and is needed in our millions of T3 receptor cells, the brain and heart have the most.

If you've not had a recent blood test ask your GP for a Full Thyroid Function test - if he doesn't you may need a private test. He should, at least, increase your dose as 50mcg is a starting dose.

B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate should be optimum too. They should be tested.

Always get a print-out from the surgery of your results and you can post if you have a query.

[shaws Administrator]

These are some links - I wouldn't add any levo at present till you get proper blood tests from the GP. You have to have a 'starting' point and as you've been on 50mcg for a while (I guess) you need a brand new test especially now you are pregnant.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/abo

If antibodies are present in your blood you would have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease also called hashimoto's. It is the antibodies that attack the gland and wax and wane until hypothyroid but treatment is the same.