Intro and Hypothyroid

WaronR · March 2014

Hi everyone! I've been trolling this board for about a week and decided it was time to jump in! I had a positive BFP 2 weeks ago and am about 7 weeks tomorrow. I'm 33 and this is my first pregnancy. We had been TTC casually for 4 years before seeing doctors. My PCP said I had borderline hypothyroidism and started me on 75 mcg of Levothyroxine in December. My thyroid levels balanced out by Januuary and in February we used a fertility monitor. We conceived that first try with the monitor! My Dr. has kept me on my thyroid Meds, but referred me to an Endocrinologist. My first appointment with the Endo. is this coming Thursday and my first PN is April 7. I've started to research on the Internet the complications with pregnancy and hypothyroid and have become very scared and emotional that I may lose the baby before they check my levels again. So far everything is progressing as normal and my DH keeps reassuring me that everything is fine. But I can't help but worry. I'm curious if there are others on the board who are hypothyroid too. It would be reassuring to hear about successful pregnancies than all the doom and gloom I've been reading on the Internet.

KatzKiss · March 2014

My thyroid stopping functioning after my first child was born. I take 50 mcg a day. TBH, I not really that worried about it. A lot of women have this issue. As long as my doctor keeps checking my levels, I think everything should be fine.

lisaren · March 2014

I am also hypo. I'm on 125mcg synthroid. I cannot use the generic version. When I first had my tsh drawn after the birth of my daughter 6 yrs ago it was 84!!! Crazy high.
It's still high but not as high. Our plan is to continue monitoring my levels, move meds as needed. My Endo is on board with my MW, so good communication between them!

marajay6 · March 2014

I have a severely underactive thyroid. I take more than 200 mcg of synthroid daily. It is great that you are going to be under the are of an endocrinologist. They will check your thyroid at least once a month, maybe more. Until then, all you can do is wait for your appointment. It is coming up fast. Good luck!

MmmPopcorn · March 2014

Hypothyroid is really common, and about half the women in my family are on Synthroid with no problems. I've had an underactive thyroid in the past, but I had my levels checked before TTC, and they had gone back to normal. We were able to conceive quickly, but I will be keeping an eye on those levels since they can change.

Since you already have your hypothyroidism under control, I don't think you need to worry about any pregnancy complications. You and your doctor will keep an eye on it, and pay close attention to any signs that your levels are changing. FX for you!

libby+nate · March 2014

Welcome and congrats! It sounds like your Dr. did the right thing having an Endocrinologist follow you as well. I can tell you not to worry, I just don't follow my own advice!

vbchick0788 · March 2014

I have been taking Synthroid since I was a teen. They upped my dose when we found out we were pregnant. So far so good. Taking 100mcg daily. It sucks sometimes and I have set two alarms to remember. You are not supposed to take it with vitamins so I have to space out my prenatal and thyroid meds. Good luck! Im sure everything will be fine.

KatzKiss · March 2014

vbchick0788 said:

I have been taking Synthroid since I was a teen. They upped my dose when we found out we were pregnant. So far so good. Taking 100mcg daily. It sucks sometimes and I have set two alarms to remember. You are not supposed to take it with vitamins so I have to space out my prenatal and thyroid meds. Good luck! Im sure everything will be fine.

What's the reason for not taking synthroid with vitamins? I've never heard of this before.

vbchick0788 · March 2014

some of the componets in the vitamin can decrease the absorbtion of the synthroid. there is a label on the side of my bottle that says not to take with vitamins, antacids, or food.

KatzKiss · March 2014

vbchick0788 said:

some of the componets in the vitamin can decrease the absorbtion of the synthroid. there is a label on the side of my bottle that says not to take with vitamins, antacids, or food.

Huh. Good to know. Thanks.

tawnilisa22 · March 2014

I've been on meds for hypothyriodism since I was 11years old and I'm 24 now. Since I've been pregnant they noticed that my levels are starting to get better, so my dosage of medicine that I'm having to take is actually going down. (:
Good luck with your pregnancy!

carcrashheart · March 2014

It's not a big deal. Dr Google is not reliable. Though starting on 75mg is a lot. The usual start dose is 25mg. Your dr will check your levels throughout pregnancy.

heidiliz626 · March 2014

Ditto with the hypo. Im on 75 levothyroxin. Started at 50.

jibell · March 2014

I was diagnosed hypo 2 months before getting preggo with my first... Have had 2 successful pregnancies with no related issues and hoping this 3rd pregnancy will be as easy...

I am in 100 levothyroxin

featherweather · March 2014

Dx with hashis over 20 years ago, so now I'm fairly certain there's no functioning thyroid left (that's what doctor says, at least).

I had levels checked at what turned out to be about 3 days pregnant (so before actual gestation, just after my last period started), and again at 4 weeks pregnant (so 2 weeks gestation) and in that time my TSH went from 1.34 to 3.13. The doctor wasn't concerned, but he agreed that I could increase it my 0.25/day (and I've actually increased it by 0.33/day because I feel a bit more worried than he does about keeping TSH below 2).

Just had it checked again at 7w4d, so I'll check those results when the office opens next week. I'm not too concerned with my self-dosage, because of the frequent checks, but if it's a new diagnosis, maybe don't do that.

Best practice is to check every 4-6 weeks during pregnancy, so just ensure they do that. You're lucky you're seeing an endo, you should be well managed.

FWIW, most of my female family is hypo, and they have never had any fertility problems. Doesn't change the statistics, but even with the elevated risk of m/c, chances are you'll see this baby through.

marajay6 · March 2014

KatzKiss said:

vbchick0788 said:

some of the componets in the vitamin can decrease the absorbtion of the synthroid. there is a label on the side of my bottle that says not to take with vitamins, antacids, or food.

Huh. Good to know. Thanks.

This is also why you are supposed to take it on an empty stomach. I follow my endo's recommendations: take synthroid first thing on morning and wait 1 hour to eat. That 1 hour flies by since I am showering and getting ready. Then I take my vitamins with dinner. He wants me to space my vitamins and synthroid as far apart as possible.

KMW08 · March 2014

Congrats & Welcome!

moroccojade · March 2014

My endo said thyroid replacement meds need to be increased by 50% while pregnant. It worked well last time for me, so we will do it again this time. (He said a lot of doctors don't know to do this, so it is worth it to ask about the possibility at your appointment.)

marajay6 · March 2014

moroccojade said:
My endo said thyroid replacement meds need to be increased by 50% while pregnant. It worked well last time for me, so we will do it again this time. (He said a lot of doctors don't know to do this, so it is worth it to ask about the possibility at your appointment.)

I highly doubt that there is a one size fits all recommendation for thyroid medication changes for pregnant woman. A decent doctor will adjust medication amounts based on lab results and symptoms and should not apply some formula as you suggest.

featherweather · March 2014

sj+cm131 said:

My endo said thyroid replacement meds need to be increased by 50% while pregnant. It worked well last time for me, so we will do it again this time. (He said a lot of doctors don't know to do this, so it is worth it to ask about the possibility at your appointment.)
I highly doubt that there is a one size fits all recommendation for thyroid medication changes for pregnant woman. A decent doctor will adjust medication amounts based on lab results and symptoms and should not apply some formula as you suggest.

He's right in that is the recommendation based on a couple of studies. But yes, as checking thyroid levels is so easy to do, it obviously makes sense to take that as a guideline only and check everyone individually.

WaronR · March 2014

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement! I met with my Endo and he seems confident that my levels weren't so far off to begin with to cause complications. He also said it's good that I was already on Levo before getting pregnant.

I did have a scare earlier this week. I started spotting Sunday night. Everything I read said this was normal, but I called my OB Monday morning just to be sure. She had me come in for an early ultrasound and examination. Everything looked normal. Found out my DD is 11/16. The baby was measuring 6 weeks and 1 day with a steady heartbeat. It was such a relief to see the heartbeat and know everything looks ok. My stress and anxiety has come down a lot since Monday.

missnacholover · March 2014

Welcome! I'm hypo as well and on 50 synthroid. My endo does have me doubling up my dose every 3 days. I take my PNV at night. I imagine my synthroid needs will go up as pregnancy progresses.

Glad everything is looking good for you!

lizzielu82 · March 2014

sj+cm131 said:

vbchick0788 said:

some of the componets in the vitamin can decrease the absorbtion of the synthroid. there is a label on the side of my bottle that says not to take with vitamins, antacids, or food.

Huh. Good to know. Thanks.
This is also why you are supposed to take it on an empty stomach. I follow my endo's recommendations: take synthroid first thing on morning and wait 1 hour to eat. That 1 hour flies by since I am showering and getting ready. Then I take my vitamins with dinner. He wants me to space my vitamins and synthroid as far apart as possible.

Same with me. You can still take vitamins but do it at opposite times of the day. There are some things like calcium that can mess with the thyroid medication which is why they recommend taking them later on.

Also, I was on Levothyroxine for a year with inconsistent results. My doctor switched me to the non-generic, Synthroid, and I felt better almost immediately and got pregnant within 2 months of the change. I highly recommend paying a little more for the non-generic. My doc has said that it's made a big difference in a lot of her patients (me included).

Good luck and welcome!

stargazerlilie · March 2014

@WaronR I have hypothyroidism as well. I'm currently on a new dose for the past month and half. 150mcg. Found out three weekends ago I was pregnant and spoke to both my endocrinologist and my obgyn. They both agree that levels need to be watched. And it's best to be slightly high on your synthroid intake then below. Having a low dosage can cause issues with baby's brain development. I set up an alarm everyday to make sure I take my meds right when I get up. I also take my prenatal vitamin later in the day. I don't have any dairy until at least an hour later after taking synthroid, it counter acts withy the synthroid. Also I was adviced not to have any soy products because it may counteract against your synthroid medication. (That last piece came directly from the endocrologist). I am having levels checked again every two weeks. (Mainly because my normal dose is 125 mcg and this new level needs to be just right or slightly elevated with the pregnancy)

Definitely talk to your endocrinologist. Wish you the best!

lisaren · March 2014

I only take synthroid also, the generic did nothing for me.

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