Hypo/Hyper Thyroid in pregnancy xposted

PansyPants · September 2012

So last night I got a voicemail from my doctor that there's a problem with my thyroid and she'll be calling me today around 1 to discuss the issue and to start me on hormone therapy.

Obviously I freaked out, called my mother, cried on my bed, told my husband "YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE!!", and now I'm just sick to my stomach and reading everything I possibly can about thyroid issues.

If anyone has personal experience with this, I would really love to hear about it. Good, bad, sad, I don't care, just please help me understand how all the medical information I've read translates into real life situations.

ToriAlexis · September 2012

Breathe. I have mild hypothyroidism, my mother and almost every other family member have issues with it that are controlled easily with meds. Hypo makes it easy to gain weight and it's the opposite for hyper. My mother doesn't have to have her eyebrows done anymore because they stopped growing due to her thyroid problems. That's the worst problem I've ever known her or my family to have. It's something very easily controlled! Meds can be taken with no problem during pregnancy. It's only a problem if it's not treated.

emolee84 · September 2012

I have graves disease and had my thryoid totally removed because of it making me hypo-. During pregnancy my thyroid levels go completely wacko and it's just a matter of upping my meds (last pregnancy I ended up taking 250MCG of synthroid and so far this time around I'm up to 350).

Your doc caught it and he/she will get you started on meds and all will be ok.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

GRMama24 · September 2012

Just talked about this on another board a few days ago here:

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/68633547.aspx

My story:

I have an auto-immune disorder that basically shuts down my thryoid which causes me to be severely hypothyroid. I have been on medication (levothyroxine) for over a year or so and have NEVER felt physically better . I have had a very smooth, uncomplicated pregnancy, and did not have any trouble conceiving/carrying our little baby so far. The only thing that occurred differently for me throughout pregnancy was that every four weeks I have blood work done to check on my levels of hormones and then my medication is adjusted accordingly. My medication has only been changed once throughout my pregnancy. Nothing too scary.

Your doctor will most likely put you on a synthetic hormone, and it might take a little while to adjust your dosages in order to get your levels correct. What this hormone will do for your body is the most important thing. You might have more energy, have healthier skin/hair, less anxiety, etc once your levels are balanced-which are all good things! It is a huge support to your growing baby when your levels are balanced. Also, some people who are hypothyroid struggle with weight gain. This is not something that I have dealt with, but I do know that if you have- the hormones should also help with that.

One recommendation: See an endocrinologist. They are specialists in this area, and know their stuff. Mine has given me a lot of security throughout pregnancy by being clear about the importance of medication/level checks, etc. He has been very good at setting correct dosages, and is very well informed on the condition and all that comes with it.

Overall, it is great that your doctor caught this, and please know that you can easily live a normal life with this condition. I hope this helps! GL!

kelbel527 · September 2012

Definitely just relax until you talk to your doctor, and stop googling. There are so many varied things she could mean when she says there is an issue with your thyroid.

When I was pg w/ DS I was diagnosed with hypo thyroidism (mild). I've been taking medicine everyday for 3 years. When I've been pregnant, they check my levels about every 8 weeks, since pregnancy can swing your levels. They've upped my dose twice during this pregnancy.

Non-pregnant, I only get tested 1x/year. If you're not having any major symptoms, I wouldn't worry too much. The only reason I was diagnosed with it is because they test for it when you're pregnant. I never had severe enough symptoms to even notice.

GL & hope it's nothing major!

nilu129 · September 2012

Definately relax. I have had a thyroid problem for years. Generally I went to see my endocrinologist every 3 months, but once I got pregnant I had to go every 6-8 weeks to just check my levels. I am at 150 mcg of synthroid. My levels are great now and and once my LO is born we will start over to see what dosage I need. Just talk to your OB and ask if you should also see an endocrinologist. Good Luck and Breathe. It will be okay.

kristynco · September 2012

I was diagnosed with Graves' disease (overactive thyroid) back in 2004. I had two doses of Radioactive Iodine to remove my thyroid. Since then, I have been on meds every day to regulate the TSH levels. It has gone up and down over the years, but mostly I've been at 125mcg of levothyroxin. Now that I'm pregnant, I am up to 300mcg daily. It doesn't have any effects, good or bad, on my pregnancy whatsoever. Once you start on a medication regimen, I bet you'll feel a whole lot better, even if you thought you feel fine. Before they upped my meds during the pregnancy, I was exhausted beyond what I'd even thought pregnancy would cause. When they increased my meds, I felt fantastic and have ever since.

Getting the right amount of medication can be tricky, but usually only will take a few weeks to level out and you should be fine. Just relax and realize, this will only make you feel better Big Smile Good luck!

beanermikey · September 2012

Exactly what other people have said! No big deal at all. There are all kinds of scary things on the internet but that is all if its left untreated. Treatment is so simple and easy. I am hypo and take one tiny pill every morning. I have it by my toothbrush so I don't forget. They are small like a birth control pill. I don't even need water to take mine. They have a pleasant taste.

Normally I get a blood test once a year. One small tube so no biggie. Now that I am preggo I get my blood taken at my monthly visit. They give me a call if I need to change my dosage and I get a new precription. Also, they aren't that expensive. I'm in Canada so it might be different but I pay about 12 to 15 dollars for a three month supply.

melody921 · September 2012

I have hypothyroidism that developed after I had DS. I'm on a low dose of levothyroxene, which keeps the levels under control. Don't read too much or freak yourself out until you find out how severe your case is.

gilbrech · September 2012

I developed hyperthyroidism during my previous pregnancy. I probably had it before then, but I just didn't know it. Well, the doctors didn't catch it (they thought I was having a severe case of morning sickness) until I was 5 months along. By that time, it was super out of control. They put me on all sorts of meds and nothing really seemed to work. It was just completely out of control. I ended up having preterm labor at 32 weeks. My daughter was born with neonatal hyperthyroidism due to mine being so bad off. She was born with a goiter and everything. She was in the hospital for a month. Besides her thyroid problem, she was completely healthy. She weighed 4 lbs 7 oz at birth and 5 lbs when we took her home. She did have problems keeping weight on because of the thyroid problem. She was on thyroid medicine for about a year before her levels completely leveled off. Now, this all sounds scary, but I am an extreme case. Like I said before, I was probably hyper long before my pregnancy and just didn't realize it. My goiter formed so quickly that the doctors thought it might be a tumor. My daughter had the highest levels of neonatal hyperthyroidism the hospital had ever seen. A couple of months after I gave birth I had my thyroid removed. Since then, I take one pill a day and go to the doctor every two-three months to get my levels checked. I'm currently pregnant and this pregnancy has been COMPLETELY different. Everything has been great. My thyroid levels have been level the entire time; I haven't even had to change my dosage at all. So, if left untreated it can be a scary thing to deal with. As long as you keep an eye on it everything can be completely normal, though.

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Hypo/Hyper Thyroid in pregnancy xposted

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