I am very anxious that my baby will have problems.

I found out I was pg late (7 weeks). When I saw the GP, I collected some old blood test results that must have been taken at about the same time I conceived. They showed I had a "slightly low" thyroid level (ie, elevated TSH), but I can't remember the figures. My GP sent me off for tests, which showed I had high antibodies as well as elevated TSH, so she immediately put me on 50mg of thyroxine.

She didn't seem worried so I didn't worry, and just took the drugs and got on with feeling ill and tired all the time (oh, first trimester!)

Now I'm at 12 weeks, and finally googled "low thyroid levels pregnancy". Now, I am panicking as I read that it can cause problems including mental retardation, if thyroid levels are low in the first trimester! I"m past the miscarriage risk, but it sounds like first trimester is the key phase for thyroid levels in pregnancy.

Will go back to GP to get referral either to OB or to an endocrinologist, as I need reassurance. I would have a termination rather than have a child with a serious disability. (by serious I mean life-threatening or severe mental handicap).

does anyone have more information on the actual likelihood of problems for my baby? I believe that my TSH levels were marginal, not critically low, but I can't give you the figures.

Sorry I don't have answers to your questions but I just wanted to give you a response, to wish you luck, to remind you that you had "slightly low" thyroid hormone level, and I hope you get to see/speak to an "expert" in these matters soon, I'd think a Obstetrician or clinic at a public hospital would provide the information/support you seek.
All the best.

"Your thyroid levels can't have been too low or you wouldn't have gotten pregnant!"

That's what my GP and obs told me - sounds like I'm in a similar boat to you - similar results, similar drug regime and I've been told it will all be fine. I wasn't on oroxine until ~9 weeks.

If you're concerned, call or make an appointment with your care provider to talk about it.

Best wishes

Im not a doctor but I do know that when I lost half my thryroid due to cancer they where very specific about making sure I was not having any more children (for some reason), I have not had to go onto the medication yet but will do so within 7 years. They say that the cancer usually will return on the other side but because I am young they wanted to make sure I had finished having kids and will monitor my levels and ultra sounds for the right thyroid.
I would say you are not on a high dose so all should be fine, I would speak to someone ie doctor though if you are concerned.
Good luck with everything don't panic people are usually on worse things when having children so Im sure all will be fine.
sien

Why do people say such ridiculous things? The size of the dose is not going to change anything.

I have primary hypothyroidism. My mother had undiagnosed Hashimotos disease when she was pregant with me. As a result have a thryroid gland which is 25% of normal size. I do not have cretinism. My tongue does not protrude. I feel the cold and have quite dry skin, that is all. I have been on thyroid replacement hormone since I was about 9 years old.

You need to be producing around 200mg of thyroxine a day. If you are not producing it, you will be placed on relacement therapy. The dose will be dependant on the balance of different thyroid hormones you produce. Do not worry too much about the dose, if you are having too much sythetic hormone, you body will further cut its production to compensate. As long as your care providers are aware of it in your pregnancy, and monitor your thyroid levels you and your baby should be fine.

During my PG my dose was doubled, because it got a little low. My baby is very intelligent and is doing very well at school (she's 6). She does not appear to have any thyroid problems herself, but mine only became obvious at puberty.

Chill out.

I had graves disease while pregnant. Each and every time i get pregnant my TSH goes very low, overactive thyroid. Anyway, i got a referral to an endocrinologist and got it monitored. Every couple of months i got a new test done to see the levels. My thyroid levels are much better now, no more graves but not totally out of the woods...just got to monitor it as still on low side....makes the thyroid work harder due to lack of tsh...
I think in a lot of cases your body is trying to give all the goodness to your baby, so your thyroid works differently, sometimes iron goes low(mine pretty low so on tablets) and all sorts of other things
It may be better to get it checked by a specialist than worrying if your levels are not right...

Good luck with your pregnancy

I am on 100mcg of Thyroxin and i have fairly low thyroid as im told, i dont know alot about it but i do know at 27 weeks after 2 scans and my GP knowing and the midwives knowing im sure i would have been told to do follow up scans/tests if they thought anything bad. My baby is healthy and happy and so am i

Im sure you and your baby are both fine, Goodluck

I"ve just been diagnosed with Hashimotos and had my Endocrinologist appointment just 2 weeks ago, largely because we want to TTC #2 soon. Whilst my GP started me on 50mg, the Endo upped me to 150mg, and said if/when I fall pg will need to go to 250mg. My specialist told me its the second trimester where it is essential to get it right. He also wants to see me at end of first trimester and end of second trimester if/when we fall pg.

But that's my experience, my levels, and my specialist.

I suggest you get a referal from your GP to an endocrinologist ASAP to ensure you are on the right dose. From there, your doctors would need to establish a plan for your care through the pregnancy and also to ensure baby is doing OK in there.

It is not a given you can't/won't fall pregnant with low thyroid function, but it decreases the chances. It is also not a given you will have a child with some kind of disability. See the professionals and see what your situation is, then you can make informed choices.

Please relax - I am sure everything is OK!!!

You need to be under the care of an Endocrinologist now.
If your TSH is only slightly high, and your on 50mcg of thyroxine, I'm sure you will be fine.
Your thyroxine will probably need to be increased as your pg goes along.

***SENSITIVE SUBJECT ****

If your TSH is too low NOW, you are at risk of m/c.....but sounds as though your dr has discovered this early. You and your baby are safe now. Your dr will monitor your pg with regular blood tests to check your TSH, T3, and T4.
The fact that you conceived is a good sign that your thyroid is working somewhat effectively.
Pg places a huge strain on the thyroid gland. Some women develop post-partum thyroiditis AFTER the baby is born.

Please don't jump to scary conclusions like this....
I know it's very worrying but your baby and you are getting sufficient thyroid supplements now.

How I know? I am a thyroid sufferer and have studied thyroid disorders and my friends(thyroid sufferers) have all gone on to have healthy, happy pgs and babies.

take care....see if you can see an endocrinologist.


I had a TSH level of 49.5...and I've known people who have had TSH levels of 100. A slightly raised TSH only means that your thyroid gland has been working harder. Your T3 and T4 levels are what the dr looks for.
This is what it means, in laymans terms. Just want to make it simple.
YOU: Fall pregnant.
Body says, Ok we have a little baby growing inside. Ok we need YOUR thyroid gland to make more thyroxine for baby. So your pit. gland says ok Thyroid get working. So your thyroid gland works and works and overworks to produce thyroxine. It's producing thyroxine for you and baby but it's getting tougher. It's doing a good job but your thyroid gland says, Ok, I'm getting a bit low so then your pit. gland stimulates it more and more. (TSH - thyroid stimulating hormone). That working bit harder part is called the TSH - and that is why it is raised....If your T3 and T4 levels got too low then it would affect your pg but your WONDERFUL observant dr has noticed this and is replacing your body with thyroxine...I hope that makes sense....I know your worried.....

Hi,

Just wanted to let you know i was 30weeks with my 1st pregnancy before I was diagnosed with Low Thyroid (Hashimotos). My DD is now 5yo. I also have a healthy 18mo. My med's are just altered during pregnancy and I had monitoring with an endocrinologist.

I also googled Low Thyroid in Pregnancy and was very distressed after what I read - I dont know why we do this to ourselves!. Trust your Dr's and have faith in your body! I'm sure you and Bub will be fine. All the best with the rest of your pregnancy!

-Sandra

I also suffer from hypothyroidism, and fell pregnant unexpectedly. At the time I had run out of tablets (on 150mg a day) and stupidly had been 'too busy' to arrange for a new prescription.

Upon finding out I was pregnant I also panicked after reading the possible side effects on the internet, but after discussions with my GP and Ob was put at ease. My GP told me to thow out my laptop!

My thyroid levels were monitered closely during the pregnancy and fortunately stayed constant, and we now have a healthy happy baby girl!

Good luck with your pregnancy!