Pregnant and blood test not for over a week. Should I increase my dose myself?

[RLG123]

Hi. I'm pregnant again following a miscarriage in July where I discovered I had hypothyroidism.

For the record, I take 50mcg of levo.

I'm about 5.5 weeks now. I've been trying to contact my GP for a blood test but they've been closed/busy over the Christmas period. Finally managed to speak to them today but they've booked me for a blood test on the 7th of Jan. Meaning I won't get results until at least the 8th.

At that point I'll be almost 7 weeks pregnant which I feel is pretty late to find out I might need a dose increase.

So my question is, do you think I should up my dose by myself just in case? Or leave it and wait?

I'm worried about my levels being too high and causing another miscarriage.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Congratulations

Your post 3 months ago I asked if you had vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies tested

what were vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Have you had blood retested since then?

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking

Yes suggest you increase by 25mcg now

Pregnancy guidelines

thyroiduk.org/having-a-baby/

NICE guidelines that if hypothyroid or subclinical you should see endocrinologist BEFORE TTC

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

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...

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...

[DippyDame]

That's lovely news.

Wait until after your test on 7th Jan... and then alter your dose after the test, based on the lab results

It takes 6/8 weeks for a new thyroid hormone dose to settle in the system....it's not like taking a paracetamol for a headache, to provide quick relief.

Increasing just before the upcoming )(test won't give an accurate result which in turn won't be an accurate guide to dosing

You are taking only a starter dose of 50mcg which should not raise your level too high if that is a concern......after the test you will likely need an increase to 75mcg T4. You should be tested again after a further 6 weeks

I understand your concern but stressing about this is unnecessary and unhelpful..and I speak as someone who had a miscarriage in the early weeks of my first pregnancy. It happens!

That was nearly 43 years ago!! And before my thyroid condition was diagnosed...it may have had nothing to do with the miscarriage. There could be other reasons. I went on to have 2 uncomplicated pregnancies which resulted in 2 healthy boys...now healthy men!

Relax....for the sake of the child you are carrying!

Miscarriage is upsetting but it's a fact of life....and we move on.

Take good care of yourself...and avoid stress.