Hypothyroidism, anyone?

Michi1382 · March 2016

Hey everyone,

I'm sorry for the SS thread but I searched this topic on our forum and got almost no results so I thought I would ask. If I missed it, please redirect me. I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism--or as my OB put it, a "sluggish thyroid". I have an appointment on Monday to see someone about it and hopefully get some answers and medication. Of course, I caved and went to Dr. Google who keeps saying that there's a high likelyhood of my baby being born with little mental development as a result of this illness. I'm 8 weeks along and am now shitting bricks. Has anyone gone through this with one of their pregnancies? I must have just developed it because nothing was said to me when I had DD. Any stories or advice is welcome. Thank you so much in advance.

von1976 · March 2016

Do you know what your TSH is? It also helps to know your T3 and T4.

I have had hypothyroidism for going on 9 years. It is was well-controlled on levothyroxine (Synthroid), at least until pregnancy. Then it kind of went crazy. I'm working with my doctor to get my TSH back in the right range.

For reference, depending on reference range used, normal TSH is .45-4.5. Mine has always been around 1.5-2, until 5 weeks when it shot up to 15.79. We adjusted my dosage and now I'm humming at .145. We're readjusting my dosage to bring me a little higher. I get tested every 3-4 weeks.

First off, the studies regarding hypothyroidism and pregnancy are generally talking about TSH above 15 and uncontrolled for the entire pregnancy. With a "sluggish" thyroid you're probably nowhere near that, and as long as your doctor brings you under 2.5 soon, you'll be okay and so will baby.

Lastly, look at the T3/T4 levels also. As long as they are in the normal range (I don't have the reference ranges off hand for that), you caught it in time. Even though my TSH was through the roof, my T3 and T4 were low normal, which means baby was getting enough hormone. So although concerning, it was not a huge worry. I had an u/s at 8w4d and I was measuring right on track.

Just stay on top of it. Ask what your test results were and what the numbers mean, and go from there.

Michi1382 · March 2016

@von1976 Thank you so much for all of this information. I wasn't told what my levels are--just that my thyroid was "sluggish" but I intend on asking when I go to the hospital on Monday. I'm thinking that I'll have to find an Endocrinologist on my own aside from the one at the hospital but we'll see what happens when I go. I'm going to review the information you wrote and be sure to ask the right questions come Monday. I'm very new to all of this and have a lot to learn about--such as the T3 and T4 counts. Do you think that I could contact you on here afterwards and tell you about my experience at the hospital/learn more about yours? If not, I understand. Thank you again.

nlane0723 · March 2016

I do. I've been on Synthroid since I started my IVF cycle in December. I never had an issue before, but I guess it's pretty common after pregnancy and I had DD in February 2014.

von1976 · March 2016

@Michi1382 Sure, feel free to contact me anytime.

I see an endocrinologist who specializes in pregnancy. I've been seeing her since we started TTC, but a general physician should be able to treat your condition as well. I wasn't happy with how my GP was treating my thyroid, so I found a specialist.

My hypothyroidism isn't related to pregnancy, but it's pretty much treated all the same regardless of what the cause is.

babyblues3 · March 2016

I also have hypothyroid. I have been on medication for it sense I had DD #2 (about a year and half). Mine was also pregnancy caused. As other posters said it is critical to keep it under control as it can be more harmful to go undiagnosed. I have my blood drawn every 4 weeks and have a endocrinologist appointment every 9 weeks.

2015dee · March 2016

@von1976 gave you some great advice. I also have hypothyroid. I take both Synthroid (T4) and Cytomel (T3). Synthroid alone improved my T4 levels but did not have much of an impact on my T3 levels, which is why Cytomel was added. I have an appt every 2-3 months or so. No biggie!

Michi1382 · March 2016

Thank you so much, everyone.

queen_frostine · March 2016

I take thyroid medicine. Mine is very mild. When I talked to my doctor about testing right away now that I was pregnant, they were very carefree about it and seemed to think it was no problem at all.

jbal918 · March 2016

I had no problems with my thyroid until getting pregnant. My RE put me on Synthroid and all is well now! I googled as well and I regret it! Hardest thing to no do but try not to! Google doesn't help! (And I'm a googleholic lol)

mrszoess · March 2016

both of my losses were bc my thyroid spiked when I conceived. I was on 75 synthroid since my last mc in November and they upped me to 100 at my bfp.

my re told me that they like your thyroid to be under 2.5 during pregnancy. definitely get on medicine asap

Michi1382 · March 2016

Have you guys changed your diets significantly due to this? I'm seeing that it can truly make a difference--not to replace medicine but that it does help a lot.

Michi1382 · March 2016

@mrszoess Thank you, I'm going in on Monday so hopefully soon. I'm very sorry for your losses.

mrszoess · March 2016

thanks @michi1382

glad I know why now. the pills are tiny I don't even mind. good luck and keep us posted

von1976 · March 2016

@Michi1382 For me, diet changes wouldn't do anything. I have Hashimoto's, an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack the thyroid. My thyroid is completely dead. Diet doesn't fix that!

I think it's safer NOT to attempt to fix this issue through diet, especially during pregnancy. First, you don't know what's causing your problem. Secondly, if you are on levothyroxine supplementation and your thyroid is well-controlled, messing with your diet could cause your levels to go too high or too low as your thyroid attempts to compensate. You want your levels steady, you do not want fluctuations at all. Lastly, diet is not a reliable way to fix thyroid issues. You don't know that your rate of absorption will remain the same, or that the amount of foods you eat will be enough. It's safer to remain under medical care to resolve your thyroid issues.

Good luck!

kenneyjn · March 2016

I too have Hashimoto's and am so nervous as I just had stage 4 endometriosis and fibroids removed and doc gave us a 6 month "shot-clock" to get pregnant or we will have to try Lupron for 1 year then repeat. My thyroid levels have been all over the place, but seeing a specialist can definitely be a huge benefit. One of the MAIN things I took home from my meeting with my endocrinologist was taking the prenatals at least 4 hours after thyroid medication. Very important as the calcium and iron can affect the efficacy of the thyroid medication. Best of luck to you all!

cielaw89 · March 2016

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at 18 years old. When I got pregnant, the first thing my doctor said was that she was going to be ordering lab work for levels. I've been on 50 mcg levothyroxine ever since being diagnosed, which I guess isn't very high. Most of the women in my family have had thyroid issues before or during pregnancy.

My levels have been pretty leveled and I just got my most recent blood work back showing a small change but nothing huge. I'll see what the doctors say.

cfresned · March 2016

Do not be stressed I have had hypothyroidism since I was 19 years old. I have had 2 children and prego with my third. Your OB will check your levels and up your dose or lower your dose. Just make sure to take it daily and don't forget to take it everyday. I have two bright very intelligent boys. Don't add stress where it doesn't need to be. Trust me.

Michi1382 · March 2016

Guys, thank you all so much for sharing your personal experiences and advice. It's truly, truly helpful and reassuring. I go in to the hospital today for a consultation and then seeing my general practitioner about it as well. I'm hoping for answers and for medication and--most importantly--a heartbeat. I'm hoping that the 8 weeks of being pregnant and not on thyroid medication hasn't impeded brain growth for the baby. FX! I'll update in this thread, if that's okay. Thank you all again so much.

minnemiska · March 2016

I also have Hashimoto's but have had it controlled by levothyroxine for years. At my first prenatal appointment my OB found that my TSH was very elevated, and my endocrinologist is increasing my dosage. He previously told me that they'd simply have to watch it more closely during pregnancy and I may need a few adjustments to my meds, but if we keep tabs on it all should be fine. But thyroid issues can cause fatigue too, and so with this pregnancy I've been feeling like all I want to do is sleep.

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