Do you take anti-thyroid meds during pregnancy

Mrs.Reem · May 2009

My OB sent me to a cardiologist who recognized my heart palpatations and thinks I have a leaky valve (valvular regurgitation) but also feels I should be treated for hyperthyroidism.

This is no surprise. I battle on and off with hyperthyroidism. However I'm getting conflicting information on whether meds are safe during pregnancy and if breastfeeding. Some info says there's no risk at all. Other info says there is a risk but if I don't get treated it could increase (my already high) risk of preterm labor. (So either way I'm screwed??)

To be honest I could deal with most of the symptoms but the anxiety is the one that's going to get me. It's getting bad enough that I'm not sure how long I can handle it. Anti-anxiety meds would be a last resort though.

So do you take meds and what have you been told about the safety? Any insight? I don't know what to do.

MarcyIam · May 2009

I have hypothyroidism and my RE actually bumped up my thyroid meds intake once I got pregnant since often pregnancy causes the number to go out of wack again.

MonkeysGirl05 · May 2009

I take a thyroid med and I've been told it is completely safe. However, if I don't take it, there is risk. No brainer for me.

krissyh21 · May 2009

I am also hypothyroid and because the baby feeds off my thyroid for the first weeks before developing their own gland, I need to increase the dose I take. From my understanding there is far more risk to not taking the medication then not, of course that is for hypo not hyper - so it could be different. You should definatly discuss everything with your doctor.

I will formula feed when the child is born because I have heard mixed things about the safety and rather err on the side of caution.

mybobble · May 2009

Im taking 125mg Synthroid and Im being monitored alot closer now that I am pg that I was before. Both my md & ob said to expect 6-8wk b/w apts to check my levels.

Both reminded me that it was very important to take my meds daily while pg. So I now have dh reminding me every night before we go to bed to take my meds. Not that I have ever forgotten before but I can see why he's being overly cautious.

CMM05 · May 2009

Hey!

I have been on Thyroid meds since I was 11! They are 100% safe during PG. In fact, there are a lot of studies that say that if your thyroid isn't under control, you can miscarry and/or it can have a negative affect on the baby.....not trying to scare you, I'm sure you are fine, but the meds are safe!

I have never stopped taking my meds. In fact, when I am pregnant....I get blood draws to check my levels every 4 weeks during the entire PG b/c often your levels fluctuate, so the dosage needs to be increased/decreased during PG........

I see a highly regarded endocrinologist in the area and I fully trust him. He feels very strongly that women should continue their meds.......

I would highly recommend seeing an endocrinologist, not just your OB or a family doctor.........

GL!

leslieanne1003@yahoo.com · May 2009

i have hypo and i have been taking my meds forever. they say it just needs to be checked because pg can make it go funky. but i took the meds with dd and while bfing, you dont really want to go off your thyroid meds, from what i understand.

epphd · May 2009

What meds do you take for hyper-? I know that synthroid is 100% safe, but not sure about your meds. In fact, I think you might be the only hyper- lady on the board - sorry I couldn't be more help!

Mrs.Reem · May 2009

I think the meds for HyperT are more dangerous than those for HypoT.

I was taking Tapazole which is a class D drug, so positive evidence of human fetal risk exists.

trilady2 · May 2009

I take synthroid for my thyroid because it's underactive and my free T4 and TSH levels tend to be a bit elevated. The synthroid keeps it in check. From what I understand, it's potentially very dangerous to the baby in utero to have an underactive thyroid left untreated. I never read about or heard about any risks to the baby by taking it. I hope that helps.

AvaLikeLava · May 2009

I'm on Synthroid as well. It was actually prescribed to me from our RE (in Stanford) during TTTC. She also bumped up the dosage after I got a BFP because my thyroid levels got out of whack.

I've been retested since pregnancy as well and told I should be every few months to ensure the dosage is accurate.

I'm told it's safe during BF as well.

futrkingsley · May 2009

I'm not an expert and have not seen an endo yet but I developed hyperT a few months ago. My doc and the specialists refused to treat the actual thyroid issue for two reasons -- first, in postpartum it can be transient and resolve on it's own without treatment, and second, the treatment is not safe for breastfeeding or pregnancy. I was prescribed heart meds to deal with the heart palpitations and given sleeping pills for insomnia and told to come back in a few months if it was still acting up.

I hope your doctors have better answers for you and can get you the help you need.

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