Hypothyroidism and pregnant

[CTATMT]

I stopped levothyroxine because I was having terrible insomnia and restlessnees, head aces and feeling exhausted during the day, I then started on armour thyroid but it hasn't helped my blood levels. My thyroid is still low. And it's been low most of my pregnancy because I've been on armour a while, I tried going up a dose thought that would help but it didn't so I tried taking armour thyroid with a bit of thyroxin and it still was low. Now I'm terribly anxious how my fetus is with me who has a low thyroid. Does anyone have experience with this? Shall I give up on armour and try thyroxin again when I haven't had a positive experience on it? Why didn't armour help my T4 levels

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start.

Armour thyroid has a low ratio of T4 to T3 hence your low T4 result. It's probably best to stick with the treatment you are using at the moment during pregnancy. If we could see your most recent results it would help members to advise.

Do you have a copy of your latest blood results that you can share with us? You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

There is also a new company offering walk in & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw, last T3 dose 8-12 hours before blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsly elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

What supplements are you taking?

[HealthStarDust]

No advice, but just wish to share that I am sorry you are going through this.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How many weeks pregnant are you

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin results

[CTATMT in reply to SlowDragon]

I am half way through pregnancy. I'm taking 25 micrograms of levothyroxine and one grain of armour. My blood results are 1.41 for TSH range is 0.30-4.20 and T4 its 9 range is 12-22.

Last blood test I was on one grain of armour TSH was 3.75

And T4 was 8.8

My T3 at that time was 3.6 I'm not sure of the range. I heard different ranges. From 2 different people.

I will need to check again the T3.

Vitamin levels are all okay when I checked in a few months ago and I'm taking vitamins for pregnancy.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to CTATMT]

You baby will it’s own thyroid now so not reliant on you

Suggest you discuss increasing levothyroxine to 50mcg

Retest in 6 weeks

Which brand is levothyroxine

[CTATMT in reply to SlowDragon]

I've stopped levothyroxine, it attacks my body and makes me feel terrible. I feel great just on armour. Doctor increased it by a quarter grain and I'm having a blood test next month to see. I'm not worried anymore. Because according to other ranges im fine.