Optimal levels of TSH, t4 and t3 for pregnancy

[Rainbowdreamer]

Can anyone state what the optimal levels of the above are for pregnancy?

Thanks,

[shaws Administrator]

This is a link from the website of Thyroiduk.org.uk which will be helpful.

thyroiduk.org/?s=pregnancy&...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Saw on previous post you only had TSH tested...obviously that’s totally inadequate

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

Guidelines on dose by weight is 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight

Typically, when adequately treated many people will have TSH well under one

Most important results are always Ft3 and Ft4.

[Rainbowdreamer in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. Yes, I only had my TSH tested when I went into hospital as a reassurance thing. The gyne doc didn’t want to run a full thyroid panel as I am getting that done by my endo in the beginning of January, having started the treatment just over a month ago. So even if I did have them tested in the 22nd they wouldn’t be accurate. The doc tested my TG antibodies, I’m getting those results tomorrow. I have the results from the the TPO antibody results - negative again.

I’ve only ever had my bloods run once where it was scheduled. This was before I’d started medication. I’ll keep in mind the recommendations stated in future tests.

I have a telephone app with my endo on 15th Jan - I want to be armed with information which is why I’m asking about optimal levels. Am I right in thinking that T3 needs to be in the top quartile for a healthy pregnancy?

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rainbowdreamer]

Certainly T3 should be over 50% through range

Often patients don’t feel better until Ft3 is 60-75% through range

[Rainbowdreamer in reply to SlowDragon]

Excellent! Thank you!

I’m not ill at the moment - I feel fine. I’m waking up a little through the night but I think that’s stress with what’s going on atm.

I’m just panicking now that taking levo will mess up my periods and stop me from ovulating or something!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rainbowdreamer]

Once on stable dose

As soon as conception is confirmed dose levothyroxine should immediately be increased by 25mcg a day minimum ...according to guidelines

We see many patients left on pre-pregnancy dose until thyroid testing at 12 weeks .....that’s too late