Pregnant (4 yrs infertility and recurring miscarriage) with (?) Hashimotos - SCARED!

[sarahjels]

I've had two miscarriages in the past in 2017 (have posted before)!

Had bloods 15th June 2019:

TSH 0.02

T3 7.9

T4 32

and a bunch of other stuff - I basically had everything tested prior to starting IVF. Couldn't start IVF because my thyroid was crazy.

Further blood tests November 2019:

TSH 3.76

T4 11.1

Tpo Positive

TRAB Negative

And again December 2019:

TSH 2.87

T4 12

Vit b12 470 and so on

Consultant didn't want to start me on anything (wrote to GP saying I pretty much have hashimotos) but after begging and raising lots of concerns about infertility was started on 25mg Levothyroxine... I went gluten free around here, too.

And I've just had another check up last week, 13th May:

TSH 0.02

T4 36

I've just sent off for a private vitamin D test.

I've been advised by my Endo to stop levothyroxine and have more bloods in June (4 weeks).

What pregnancy multivitamins can I take? Something without iodine? I'm just so confused.

THIS TIME I'm 6-7 weeks pregnant. It feels like a miracle. But after 2 miscarriages and trying for almost 5 years I am so nervous and desperate to get this right. What do I need to do!?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sarahjels

You need a dose increase. According to btf-thyroid.org/pregnancy-a... your TSH should be below 2.5 in the first trimester

If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

If you are planning a pregnancy you should speak to your GP to arrange thyroid blood tests and ideally aim for a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level of less than 2.5mU/l at the time of conception

It is recommended that your TSH should be less than 2.5mU/l in the first trimester of pregnancy and less than 3.0mU/l after that

As soon as you know you are pregnant it is usually recommended that your levothyroxine is increased immediately by 25-50mcg daily. You should then contact your GP and arrange to have a thyroid blood test

Read through the articles and check the links.

Also see thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

[sarahjels in reply to SeasideSusie]

Have you seen my last blood results? My last result, 13th May has my TSH 0.02 and my T4 36! I've swung the other way! Been told to stop levo for now but scared I'll swing back to high TSH and miscarry!

[jimh111 in reply to sarahjels]

You wrote: -

And I've just had another check up last week, 13th May:

TSH 3.76

T4 11.1

Maybe the results are a bit mixed up?

[sarahjels in reply to jimh111]

OH whoops, just changed that.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sarahjels]

No, because as Jim says those weren't the results you originally posted, I responded appropriately to the TSH of 3.76 that you stated.

[sarahjels in reply to SeasideSusie]

I understand that now, apologies! I'm confusing myself obviously, whoops!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Essential to get tested regularly through pregnancy

Levels can change dramatically

Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 need to be at good levels

Can you add most recent vitamin results and ranges

Your high thyroid antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease also called hashimoto’s

Good you are now gluten free. Has this improved symptoms?

[sarahjels in reply to SlowDragon]

I think gluten free has improved symptoms, I think its improved how I feel anyway generally as both times I've accidentally been glutened I've felt unwell.

Have sent off for a Vit D test privately. B12 was last up from 391 in July2019 to 470 in December, and serum folate is 17.5. I've been supplementing these for years but have stopped the multivitamin (with B12) whilst I find another vitamin that doesn't have so much vitamin A in it!

My next blood test is mid June (4 weeks after this one).

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So latest result has most likely picked up a Hashimoto’s flare

Suggest you test every week yourself

medichecks.com/products/thy...

[sarahjels in reply to SlowDragon]

It does make sense, I was having palpitations last week when the blood test was taken but seem to be okay now. Feel a little dubious about stopping Levo and waiting another 3 weeks for a test...

[sarahjels in reply to SlowDragon]

Ohhhh £41, every week? I really cannot afford it as neither of us are working atm and not really getting any government support (directors of a ltd company, fallen through the cracks somewhat)!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

No that’s one test ....TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

[humanbean]

You can reduce the cost of Medichecks tests by 10% using the discount code in this link :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

The above post is old but the discount code is still active.

[jimh111]

These fluctuating results seem like autoimmune flare ups. To be honest I don't think there is a great deal you can do right now.

You could supplement with selenium as this can fight autoimmunity.

Ideally you would be put on 'block and replace'. This is where they give you carbimazole to suppress your thyroidal secretion and a full dose of levothyroxine, this gives stable hormone levels. However, carbimazole takes a month or two to work (can't remember how long) and then you need your dose of levothyroxine titrated. This couldn't be done in time even if they got off their backsides and sorted you now.

Blood testing is very useful and the doctor should do it, TSH and fT4 at least, it's better than nothing as they may not do fT3. You shouldn't need to pay for private tests, point out the cost of not ensuring a safe delivery, they tend to think of money.

It would be useful to monitor your pulse and signs of hyperthyroidism such as a fine tremor in your hands when you hold them out in front of you. If you can recognise when you are hypo and when you are hyper you could stop and start your levo accordingly. This will be much more responsive than hanging around for blood test results.

[sarahjels in reply to jimh111]

This is helpful, thank you. Last week I was having palpitations, felt very tired and shaky and had wondered if something was up. Thats when the blood test was done. Now, I don't feel so much like that. I'm cold throughout all the time and that never ever changes so not really counting that!

I've got the midwife calling me tomorrow so I might talk to them about it and see if I can get the GP to do another test. You know, I might just tell him I called the endo and the endo said to test again so... (He DID say that at first but then said "actually I want to do more tests so can you come to the hospital in 3 weeks). At least then I've got something for now!?

[jimh111 in reply to sarahjels]

Good idea. Also ask if it would be a good idea to go on a low dose beta block just to regulate the heart in the meantime. One that steadies the heartbeat not one that slows it and definitely not one that interferes with thyroid hormone (unless the endo recommends one in three weeks time).

[sarahjels in reply to jimh111]

I just called my GP and said the endo is doing testing for me in 3-4 weeks but I need a repeat for this week and next please

Got to call tomorrow and pick up the form. Thanks for the nudge. I feel evil.