positive pregnancy test (no ivf) at 46 and und... - Thyroid UK

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positive pregnancy test (no ivf) at 46 and underactive autoimmune thyroiditis

Needlehaystax profile image
6 Replies

I’m in shock at two positive test but I’m realistic and have read that it could be perimenopause giving off the pregnancy hormones although still no period and I am very regular and have never missed a period. I’m also unclear at how common that would be? I am over a week late and I am going to the doctor today but have read about pregnancy on thyroid uk that I’ll need my medication increased. I am on 125 mcg and have normal t3 t4 and TSH on 1st march at 0.13. How urgently do I need an increase? Can I wait a week or must this be done immediately? I’m just looking for any advice on the thyroid meds issue if I do turn out to be pregnant but I just can’t see how this isn’t false!!?? Also looking for any insider advice at being pregnant at 46 with hashimotos and an underactive thyroid.

Many thanks

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Needlehaystax profile image
Needlehaystax
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Congratulations

Previous post shows after roughly 6 weeks on 125mcg

Free T4 (fT4) 15.3 pmol/L (9 - 19.1) 62.4%

Free T3 (fT3) 4.5 pmol/L (2.43 - 6.1) 56.4%

Pregnancy guidelines

thyroiduk.org/having-a-baby/

NICE guidelines that if hypothyroid or subclinical you should see endocrinologist

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...

IMPORTANT See pages 7&8

btf-thyroid.org/Handlers/Do...

Also here - dose increase in levothyroxine as soon as pregnancy test confirms conception

cuh.nhs.uk/patient-informat...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Suggest you increase levothyroxine either by 25mcg or by 12.5mcg (cutting tablet in half) until you see GP

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

Low ferritin, low thyroid levels and miscarriage

preventmiscarriage.com/iron...

Low iron and hypothyroid

endocrineweb.com/news/thyro...

Folate and B12 and Neural tube defects and autism

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

ec.bioscientifica.com/view/...

Needlehaystax profile image
Needlehaystax in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks very much for the info :)

Needlehaystax profile image
Needlehaystax in reply toSlowDragon

My doctor has given me bloods and suggested we wait until they come back before I up my dose, seeing as my TSH is so low already - but I hope that’s the right advice!

HealthStarDust profile image
HealthStarDust

Congratulations.

How are you feeling? I would use that as a guide to increase your dose as too much of an increase would not be good either.

I will say a lot of the literature suggests to increase dose on confirmation of pregnancy by around 30%. However, on pregnancy forums I have come across some women that never needed to increase thier dose during pregnancy and did just fine. It’s not worth remembering it’s a very individual experience.

Finally, the only useful thing a preconception endocrinologist shared with me was to base the increase on the results of blood tests. As your TSH is low in range (I presume as no ranges have actually been shared so I am basing this on popular ranges) you have some time to wait for your GP appointment and hopefully blood test result. The first 4 weeks to 3 months are the most important. Remember, in pregnancy they are looking for trimester specific ranges and always under 2.5 TSH in the first trimester.

My suggestion is to get a private test asap and every four weeks to keep an eye on levels yourself too.

It’s all about timing as the demand on the thyroid can ramp up very quickly in the early days of pregnancy. But, other times the demand is somehow managed in a persons existing dose.

Needlehaystax profile image
Needlehaystax in reply toHealthStarDust

Thanks very much. I have been to the doctors and had more bloods so we’ll see. The Gp echoed what you said in so much as I already have optimal TSH, so they don’t want to go to far with an increase but I guess they will closely monitor me (I hope).

Espeegee profile image
Espeegee

Oh my gosh, that's a surprise for you, I hope rather than too big a shock. Do let us know how it goes, your GP seems to be one who knows more than the average at least, fingers crossed anyway ☺️

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