TSH levels were elevated during pregnancy and I was put on Levothyroxine now my levels are very very low.. confused

[Healthfreaks]

Date: Aug, 2022- not pregnant

TSH with Free T4 Reflex: 3.16 - Normal range: 0.40 - 4.00 mU/L

Date: October, 2022- not pregnant

T3 total: 104 - Normal range: 85 - 202 ng/dL

T4 Free: 1.07- Normal range: 0.90 - 1.70 ng/dL

TSH: 3.08 - Normal range: 0.30 - 4.20 uIU/mL

Thyroid peroxidase antibody: 21 - Normal range: below <35 IU/mL

Date: December 19, 2023 - at 4 weeks pregnancy- TSH elevated - doctor prescribed 25mcg Levothyroxine - results below

Free T4: 1.35 - Normal range: 0.90 - 1.70 ng/dL

TSH with Free T4 Reflex: 5.96 (high) - Normal range: 0.30 - 4.20 uIU/mL

Date: Jan 18, 2024 - at 8 weeks pregnancy- Heart beat was low - suspected miscarriage due to baby not growing as expected- doctor increased Levothyroxine dose to 50mcg on weekdays and 25mcg on weekends to get my TSH below 2.5 and also put me on progesterone pills as progesterone came low.

T3 Free: 3.18 - Normal range - 2.77 - 5.27

T4 Free: 1.14 - Normal range- 0.78-2.19

TSH: 2.79 - Normal range - 0.47 - 4.68

Date: Feb 5,2024- no baby found so miscarriage with medication- stopped progesterone

Date: March 21, 2024- TSH levels went too low so doctor decreased the medication to 25mcg and asked me to come back for testing in 8 weeks.

TSH: 0.02 - Normal range - 0.47-4.68

Free T3: 5.12 - Normal range - 2.77-5.27

Free T4: 1.54 - Normal range - 0.78-2.19

Did anyone stop using medication when temporary hypothyroidism went away? Because now my reports look like I am having hyperthyroidism. I am confused if I my body is ready to handle pregnancy with this levels. Appreciate any response.

[FallingInReverse]

Hi, so we can offer more relevant replies, can you please provide the ranges for the following tests: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and the thyroid peroxidase antibody test.

Also, were you diagnosed and/or treated prior to August 2022?

[Healthfreaks in reply to FallingInReverse]

Hi FallingInReverse thanks for responding, Updated the ranges in the post above and No, I was never diagnosed with hypothyroidism before December 2023- that too because I was pregnant and the expected TSH levels should have been <2.5 per the doctor so they put me on Levothyroxine.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

at next test

you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

Are you currently taking any vitamin supplements

If yes, what exactly

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

[HealthStarDust]

It seems pregnancy can cause a temporary rise in TSH. As with many things thyroid, there just not enough research to confirm exclusively.

I am sorry for your loss and this added complication.

I guess based on your question you want to know if you can stop levothyroxine…. there are mixed experiences of this and there’s only one way to find out.

[Healthfreaks in reply to HealthStarDust]

is it okay to try to conceive with my current levels? I have my next test in 8 weeks that would be May 16, 2024. Will my baby survive this time if I conceive with these levels? I am so scared because We have been ttc since 3 years

[HealthStarDust in reply to Healthfreaks]

I am afraid no one can know the answer to this. It’s so complicated to be diagnosed and treated during pregnancy followed by pregnancy loss. Your TSH has possibly dropped as the dose is was too high now you are no longer pregnant.

Either way, it is advisable to delay conception until thyroid numbers have stablised.