Newly diagnosed hypothyroid at 12 weeks

[xxclairexx]

I’m 12 weeks pregnant and just found out I have an under active thyroid. I’m currently waiting for a endocrinologist appointment and thyroid scan. My GP has put me on 75mg of levothyroxine but after looking online I can’t help thinking it is too late for my babies development.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Do you know how hypothyroid you are?

Have you got results and ranges

Are you currently taking pregnancy vitamins?

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested too

If not, ask GP to test

Also need to know if cause is autoimmune thyroid disease, diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after starting any levothyroxine dose. But in your current situation you may want to test sooner, say 4 weeks

Have you picked up your prescription and started levothyroxine.

Ask your GP for ultrasound scan of your baby and perhaps referral to endocrinologist too

[xxclairexx in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi thank you for replying. I have no idea of my ranges as I just had a quick phone consultation confirming I had hypothyroid and needed to start medication immediately while my GP refers me to an endocrinologist. Hoping to get an appointment in the next few weeks and she has arranged another blood test for 3 weeks time. I have been on levothyroxine for 2 days now and been taking prenatal vitamins since finding out I was pregnant at the beginning of December. I have my first baby ultrasound booked for next week and now stressing out more an ever

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to xxclairexx]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies if not been tested yet

It may be your thyroid levels are only slightly low (common when first pregnant) and your GP on the ball correcting this quickly

So try not to worry....helps to get as informed as possible

First step is to get hold of results that prompted being prescribed levothyroxine

[Shoey1]

Hi,

I'm afraid I have no answers, but just wanted to say I'm in the same boat. I'm 9 weeks pregnant and awaiting another set of bloods on Monday to see how my dose of levothyroxine is going and whether it's hashimoto's.

It's my first pregnancy, so I'm clueless about both hypothyroidism and pregnancy and it's all quite overwhelming. Especially worrying about the baby's development. I've had some reassuring messages on here in response to my previous post, which might also reassure you.

I just wanted to wish you well and let you know you're not alone.

[xxclairexx in reply to Shoey1]

Hi shoey

Thank you for your reply and reassurance. I’ve just read your post and can relate to your story except the ivf that must of been so hard but congratulations on your pregnancy.

This is my 4th pregnancy due to miscarriages the first of which was 20 years ago. After many dismissed attempts at the doctors trying to find an answer to the weekly migraines, constipation, fatigue and swollen neck I’ve put up with for years. I eventually gave up going the doctors 10 years ago as it just seemed pointless. I’d never heard of a thyroid until my booking appointment with my midwife 2 weeks ago. I have now joined a new GP who seems very helpful and actually listens.

Fingers crossed it will all work out for both of us 🤞🏻

[HungryHungryHypo]

As said above, if you can find out about your levels, it’d help immensely.

Also, I noticed you said you’re taking prenatal vitamins. If there’s biotin in it, make sure you don’t take it for a few days before a blood test as it can influence TSH and FT4. Or at least, ask your endo if the dose is high enough to skew the results.

And congratulations! Have you had your first scan yet?