Update on me... sorry more questions...

[Bellini]

Went to the GP this morning (same practice, different GP) and he confirmed that he will not change my meds until I am "outside the normal NHS range". He is going to test me tomorrow for anemia (blood test) and I have to go back to see him once the results are back. I am glad he's taking my exhaustion seriously even though he's dismissing it's anything to do with my thyroid.

Can I ask - if they prescribe me iron tablets, are they contra to thyroxine? If so, are there any herbal alternatives I can take or what iron-rich foods are OK to eat that won't impact my thyroxine?

Additionally, it did just occur to me that during the first 12 weeks as well as folic acid I took some B6 and B12 vitamins. I wonder if that helped my TSH level go down and perhaps I should start taking them again.

Thanks everyone for your ongoing support. Bellini xxx

[Barbara]

Hi Bellini, just a brief answer as I've got to go out in a minute.

Your TSH probably went down as a result of your dose increase just before you were pregnant as it can take at least 6 weeks for the TSH to change following a dose increase.

I suggest asking to have your thyroid tested again tomorrow when you get your iron test done if it is an early appointment as TSH is highest first thing in the morning and might have gone up a bit since the last one.

Iron isn't contra-indicated with thyroxine but it must be taken at least 4 hours apart as the iron binds to the thyroid hormone - the last thing that you need.

A a matter of interest ask your doctor if there is any problem taking iron if you are on thyroxine and see if he knows!

[Bellini in reply to Barbara]

thank you. Yes, I might just get them to do it for me (the phlebologist (sp)) knows me now I've been so often so she won't mind doing it for me!!! LOL !!!

[Barbara in reply to Barbara]

Ask her to ask the lab to check your T4 levels too. What time is your appointment?

You mentioned in another post that your doctor had shown you the NHS Guidelines, can you remember exactly what these were? Were they ones aimed specifically at pregnancy or were they general tests?

[Bellini in reply to Barbara]

The test range he showed me looked like the normal NHS ones. I think it was something like 0.2 to 4.2

[Barbara in reply to Barbara]

Sorry, I thought you meant the official guidelines, not the test ranges. So that's why your GP says he won't give you an increase until your TSH goes above 4.2, it's the top of your range! So it looks like he's prepared to let you go out of range before increasing, this seems to be at odds with the guidelines. Was your pregnancy mentioned on your blood test form for the lab?

You can see the official UK Guidelines for the Use of Thyroid Function Tests at acb.org.uk/docs/TFTguidelin... The part on pregnancy starts at page 39.

Lyn suggested this site might be of help to you: fertilityfriends.co.uk/

Do let us know how you get on.

[Bellini]

thanks Barabara, I am already a member of FF's - I've actually told a few girls on the thyroid threads to join here too.

[Bellini]

Actually, can someone be really honest.

If my GP doesn't act on my thyroid until it goes of 4.2 - is there any danger to my baby or will I just feel like rubbish for the time being?

I've seen horror stories about brain development etc but is that internet scaremongering?

I am v worried but I just know that no matter what I show the GP they won't budge unless I go over.