Anyone hypothyroid & pregnant?

[Deleted]

If so, what were the levels you were at or supposed to be at?

From what I've read I should be under 2.5 (TSH) especially in the first tri. My level is 5.323 (from 2.5 wks ago & considered "normal" as Kaiser's normal is range is .32 up to 5.5). I've talked to the OB & called into a Doc (mine is on vacation)--The OB office said call regular Doc (can't get in until Aug 28th), family practice Doc says do nothing because I am in "normal". I am super pissed right now. The potential effects are not good. WWYD?

[Deleted]

Go to an endocrinologist. That's way too high based on what mine told me. Mine wanted me between 1-2 before I even got pregnant. My OB has nothing to do w my thyroid treatment.

[badtzmaru22]

My RE says as close to 1 as possible. Mine was always a 2 or so, but spiked to 5 during pregnancy, and they immediately put me on synthroid.

[Deleted]

My family doc managed me through my pregnancy; we were aiming for 1-2 and she had me doing blood work every 3 weeks to make sure it stayed there.

Push this.

[cookiemdough]

Go to an endocrinologist.

[Deleted]

Eff, you guys are making me nervous. I upped my synthesis while tryin to get pregnant, and was down to a 1.3. I was checked with bloodwork at 12 weeks, and still at a 1.3. Because of my grandpa's funeral, my 28 week appointment for bloodworm and the gestational diabetes screenshot pushed back to 29 weeks. I've also gained 15 lbs since my 12 week appointment.

I wonder if low TSH is why I feel so... Weepy and panicked and tired lately?

[Deleted]

Aug 13, 2012 23:36:14 GMT -5 @idaholakelady said:

I wonder if low TSH is why I feel so... Weepy and panicked and tired lately?

Totally possible. Do you have a requisition to just get it checked? My doctor wrote me a standing order so I could just to to the lab every few weeks and have it checked.

She did want me to check it more often than any other bumpie doctor, though, so I don't think my frequency was the norm. She's just a bit conservative.

[ejpint]

Yeah, I wouldn't keep seeing an OB for that, especially if they seem unresponsive to your concerns - my RE wanted me under 2, I'm now at about 1.5. I'll move to an endocrinologist after my pregnancy.

[Deleted]

I'm jealous of all of you that can just go to an endocrinologist.

I waited over a year to see an endo, and she was terrible. We've got a shortage in town.

[cookiemdough]

Aug 14, 2012 9:17:07 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

I'm jealous of all of you that can just go to an endocrinologist.

I waited over a year to see an endo, and she was terrible. We've got a shortage in town.

I was diagnosed well before pregnancy so I already had one. I would hope if you asked to see one due to pregnancy they would try to fit you in with a referral from your doctor without as long of a wait, but that could just be wishful thinking on my part : ). I just found that primary care doctors and even my OB weren't as familiar with thyroid issues and keeping it under control. My endo was great about keeping in contact with my OB and what my progress was in terms of changing meds, blood results, etc.

[Deleted]

My family doctor is really on the ball for my thyroid stuff. She had me go on medication prior to TTC because my numbers were high-normal, gave me the standing requisition so I could easily get frequent bloodwork, and would just fax over a new Rx as needed if I needed an increased dose. It's not really a hard or complex thing to manage if you have a doctor that is aware of the current recommendations. I think perhaps family docs are more used to dealing with it because it's so difficult to see a specialist here.

[lovetx]

I am almost 37 weeks pregnant and my endo wanted me below 2.5 before I even got pregnant. When I did get pregnant they doubled my medication and I have been between .9 and 1.3 through out the pregnancy (tested every 6 weeks or so). I would absolutely find another doctor. Your doc does not know what they are talking about.

[Deleted]

My internist also was on the ball-- I saw him while I was looking for a new endo and I needed a script- and he increased my dose when it was above 5. But he told me to go see an endo anyway. Especially bc he knew we would be ttc in the future.

I also went for bloodwork every 6 weeks when pg.

[dragonfly08]

Aug 13, 2012 20:08:14 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

Go to an endocrinologist. That's way too high based on what mine told me. Mine wanted me between 1-2 before I even got pregnant. My OB has nothing to do w my thyroid treatment.

This. There's a reason why I tested when AF was only 1 day late even though that was just 11 DPO (with #1 I didn't test until AF was a week late...I was never an "early and often" tester!). My endocrinologist wanted me in her office by 6 weeks PG, even before my OB/GYN saw me, so I needed to know right away so I could get the appointment scheduled. My OB did check my thyroid with each blood test just as an added precaution, but beyond giving me the results had zero to do with my treatment.

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone! I did get a referral for an Endocrinologist after I emailed my family practice Doc (who originally diagnosed me) last night & she emailed this morning. The office called to schedule but I was at work so I missed the call so I'm calling in the morning. I emailed the OB office too & have heard nothing. Great God I fear for my experience with them. I have no choice really as I am insured with Kaiser & it's steeped in automation & layers of bureaucracy. I looked on the schedule & I'll only see an MD (which ever is available I guess) like 4 times the entire pregnancy--otherwise I'll just see whatever LPN is available. I am not used to this--my other kids I saw my OB every appointment & I got a live person when I called....I'll be shocked if I get into an Endo quickly.

[kimibrighteyes]

Treating hypothyroidism is actually fairly straightforward 95% of the time and should be something a primary care doctor is capable of. I think the reason that so many of the women in the US see an endocrinologist is that the abundant availability of specialists lowers the threshold for issues that you refer to.

Some primary care doctors may not know the specifics of treating hypothyroidism in pregnancy (also not that complicated)

Token - you could always get your GP to refer you to a doctor in Alberta. I get lots of consults sent to me from out of province (mostly Lloydminster and northern BC)

[Deleted]

Thanks kimi! I think my GP was being pretty conservative sending me; there were some changes in my yearly u/s so she wanted someone to follow up. By the time I got follow up, I'd already had another yearly u/s with no further change, and now there have been 2 with no further change. My bloodwork is getting worse, but really really slowly... on the whole, I think I'm fine with my doctor but she tends to be really cautious.

What was worse than waiting a year is because I was waitlisted for a specialist, no one would give me life insurance! That sucked.

Carol, just keep following up. I'm sure someone will give you some synthroid, hopefully sooner rather than later.