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TTC and subclinical hypothyroidism,

Posted , 3 users are following.

emily2885
emily2885

My tsh has been up and down since July 2015, I also have 3 children born 2010,12,14. 

My tsh in July 14 was 8.2, then in oct it was 5.4 and dec 8.4, the dr decided to prescribe me 25mcg of levotthyroxine. I have chosen not to start to take them yet as I feel well, woth no symptoms other that struggling to loose weight and unexplained weight gain. 

Anyway, my question is, I would really like another baby, by the end of this year and I am aware of the risks associated with thyroid and pregnancy. If I was to start the meds, to get my levels right for carrying a baby. can I come off them post pregnancy or would I then be dependant on them for life? Is 25mcg the lowest amount I can start on? 

Thank you.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • barbara98940
    barbara98940 emily2885

    Posted

    Hi emily, you didn't post the TSH range but in UK it is normally around 0.4-5.9. US is similar but not quite the same. Based on this range you would be hypothyroid. This also equates with your doctor prescribing thyroxine. I have had hypothyroidism diagnosed since 1991 and my first child was born in 1994. Recent research has shown that a child born to a mother with low thyroid (i.e. thyroxine) levels can have problems with mental maths and stunted growth. This is true of my child who would have been expected to grown to 5' 5" but is in fact 5' 1". Although they excel at maths they can't do mental maths. I know from the records I keep, that my thyroxine (T4) levels were low during the critical first 3 months of pregnancy, so my own experience validates the research. I also found I needed a lot more thyroxine during pregnancy. Your TSH results indicate slight hypothyroidism. My view is that for you the risk to the baby is from having too low thyroid levels (i.e. high TSH) and this would be made worse by pregnancy when the thyroid is put under pressure to produce more thyroxine (T4). Hence I would take the thyroxine the doctor has prescribed. In my experience it takes 3 months after a change in dose for the blood levels to stabilise and the blood tests to show the levels accurately. So, knowing what I know now, I personally I would take the thyroxine, wait 3 months, get a blood test to check the thyroid levels are in range, then once they are in range, think about becoming pregnant. I'm not medically qualified I'm just giving you my experience and my view to help you decide. Good luck.
    • emily2885
      emily2885 barbara98940

      Posted

      Thank you Barbara, all my result letter says is that I presented in July and tsh was 8.24, they repeated the blood test in October and my results were 5.31, and a further repeat shows tsh at 8.42 (slightly different to what I put above as I've found the paperwork) 

      It also states that my free t4 is 11.5 poml/l 

      i have no idea what any of it means, but I am unsure how my levels returned to normal range without meds? 

      If I wasn't considering a baby, I would not be taking the medication until I became unwell- I've heard so much negativity surrounding the thyroxine.

      if the dr could confirm I could come off the 25mgc post pregnancy, then I'd start taking the meds tomorrow, I just don't want to start and become dependant on a drug, if there's a chance my thyroid will self improve. X

    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 emily2885

      Posted

      Dependency isn't an issue with thyroxine, it's a case of 'if your body needs it you have no choice - a bit like a diabetic needs insulin'.

      With regards to the negativity surrounding thyroxine - it may not apply to you. It is known that for a 'sizeable minority' (15%) of hypothyroid patients, taking thyroxine improves the blood test results, but not the symptoms - and we're a very vocal bunch! (Yes, I'm one if the 15%). I have my own theory that these are the people that have no functioning thyroid, and who therefore are less efficiently converting T4 (thyroxine) to T3 (liothyronine). T3 is the usable form that your body needs for your metabolism to work properly.

      It may well be that you have Hashimotos hypothyroidism, where for a while your body swings between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, going through normal on the way to swinging in the opposite direction (think of a child's playground swing passing near the ground on the way to going up - in this example the ground is the normal point).

      Your blood test results will reflect the point in the swing at which they were taken. My endocrinologist and others suggest there are some things you can do to help your body and immune system. Eat healthily, cooking from raw ingredients instead of the ready-made 'cook-chill' food wherenever possible. Many people find it helps to minimise soya, gluten and dairy. Though make sure you get enough calcium. Its worth getting the following tested: iron and IBC (iron binding count), Ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, selenium, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium, calcium as many people with hypothyroidism are low in these (though you may well be ok as it's only just been diagnosed and it sounds like it was caught early as you aren't really having any symptoms).

  • tony_92886
    tony_92886 emily2885

    Posted

    All I can say is my Daughter has had five heather Babeys she's on 125 mg off thyroxine us teach the pre Bloodprea share but brink beetroot juice if you want to keep the Bloodpreashure down my Daughter is 28 I am on 125 mg off throxine it does tend two run in family's 
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