T3 and pregnancy

[lisaas]

Hi All, has anyone been taking t3 whilst pregnant? Are there any risks and does the dose need to be higher?

Thanks x

Lisa

[greygoose]

Do you mean taking T3 only? Or T3+T4?

[lisaas in reply to greygoose]

Yes, I'm currently just taking t3. I had a really bad time on t4 medication

[greygoose in reply to lisaas]

I'm not an expert on pregnancy, but from what I've read, it's T4 that passes the blood/placenta barrier, to give the baby the thyroid hormone it needs, not T3. I don't know if enough T3 would get through to maintain the baby's health.

I think if I'm unwell then how can my baby be well. I suspect I am only a few weeks gone.

I was incredibly unwell the whole way through my third pregnancy, but it didn't do the baby any harm. Of course, I wasn't on thyroid hormone replacement at that point, not diagnosed. But I don't think the baby will be unwell just because you are. You should see my 'baby' now! A strapping great fella with a son of his own.

But, I think that's what you need to research: can T3 pass the blood/placenta barrier in a high enough quantity to keep the baby well.

[shaws Administrator]

I doubt that T3 could be a problem if pregnant and hypothyroid.

This is a link from TUK that may be helpful:-

thyroiduk.org/having-a-baby/

[lisaas in reply to shaws]

Thank you 😊

[rollerskater17]

Hi Lisaas,

CW: Losses

I took NDT throughout both my pregnancies and was only able to remain pregnant while taking NDT (multiple losses with T4 only). I increased my dose from 3.5 grains to 4 as soon as I found out I was pregnant (based on the normal increase advised when on T4 only). My levels were checked frequently throughout pregnancy and then came back down to 3.5 near the end of my pregnancy.

During my first pregnancy (in Thailand) my doc was concerned about my suppressed TSH even though T3 and T4 were great and gave me regular goitre checks and checked me for tremors or palpitations. My second pregnancy was in 2020 so everything thyroid-related was over the phone.

[lisaas in reply to rollerskater17]

Thank you for your response

I had a really bad time on T4. My worry is, if I felt so unwell on T4 then my baby will not benefit if the Doctors tell me I need to take T4. I think if I'm unwell then how can my baby be well. I suspect I am only a few weeks gone. So, I really want to try gather some evidence regarding pregnancy and t3 before I see my endocrinologist