[MarMar27]

Is there any possible threats with pregnancy if you have a possible thyroid disorder?

[butter37fly]

Yes, but they can vary depending on the severity of the disorder, and if you are hyper- or hypothyroid. For this reason, I'm surprised TSH tests aren't routine among pregnant women. Also, do you mean threats to the mother herself or to the fetus?

In both cases it is more difficult to become pregnant. Further, scientists have shown slowed mental development in babies born to hypothyroid moms, whereas hyperthyroidism can cause low birth weights or increased risks of miscarriage. Also, hyperthyroidism often leads to higher than normal blood pressure, which can increase the risk of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.

Luckily, treatment options are usually easy and painless. If you're hypothyroid, simply taking synthroid or levothyroxine (a T-4 replacement drug) will bring your hormone levels to normal, and they are perfectly healthy for the fetus.
Treating hyperthyroidism can occasionally be a little more tricky. In almost all cases, though, simply taking an anti-thyroid drug will return levels to normal and is healthy for the fetus. If the hyperthyroidism is severe and cannot be controlled, surgical removal of the thyroid might be necessary, though unlikely. Unfortunately radio-iodine treatment, a common treatment for hyperthyroidism (notably Graves Disease, myself being a sufferer!), but impossible for pregnant women since it exposes the fetus to radioactivity and also would destroy any thyroid cells.

No matter what, if you have a thyroid disease, I'd strongly urge you to be under the care of an endocrinologist (and if you have Graves, perhaps an opthamologist), whether you're pregnant or not. From first hand experience, I can tell you the quality of my life has improved dramatically since my hormones have been normalized.

A little reading:


Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy

Hyperthyroidism and Pregnancy

[MarMar27]

Thanks a lot for your answer, I developed hyperthyroidism after my son and had routine check ups, I never got treated for it though, and back in February my endocrinologist said my thyroid was back to normal so he told me to return in 6 months.

I recently had some labs done with my primary physician and he said my TSH levels came back real sensitive so he repeated the labs and I have to go back to him this Friday.

I also made an appoinment with my endocrinologist for next week I told them I was pregnant and needed to see him asap, I hope I am not having any thyroid problems, I did start having the unusual tiredness symptoms again and loss of hair, that's why I went to my primary.

He told me it was depression/anxiety so prescribed me lexapro an antidepressant, and I took it for two days and it just made me feel worse, so I threw it away, I am glad I did not keeping taking it also since I was pregnant and did not know, but I guess I will see Friday what the doc says, whether he says my thyroid is OK, I am still going to go ahead to my endocrinologist.

[MarMar27]

I believe he said my TSH was about 6.5

[butter37fly]

The endocrinologist appointment was def a smart move on your part! A lot of people ignore those symptoms you're describing. Also, a TSH of 6.5 actually means you're slightly HYPOthyroid (I think the new "normal" levels are .03-3, although most labs still use .5-5). Seems counterintuitive, I know, that a high TSH actually means your thyroid hormones are low (explanation here: http://thyroid.about.com/od/thyroidbasicsthyroid101/a/confusion.htm). You might also be interested to know that depression is a symptom of hypothyroidism, so getting your hormones normal might help with that.

I certainly wouldn't worry, though. The treatment is super easy and very safe for you and your baby.

Oh yah, and bring a copy of your bloodwork to your endo. It'll help get the ball rolling quicker.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[MarMar27]

Thanks, and yes I understand the whole "if your tsh is low it means your hyperthyroid" and vise versa.
What I'm asking myself is how did I go from hyperthyroid to hypo?
Does hypothyroid give you excessive weight gain?
I am worried. I will have to call my primary physicians clinic to have them fax my labs over cause I do not have a copy.
I feel so drained, I feel I am dragging myself everywhere, I can't wait to start the treatment.

[MarMar27]

Well I went to my endocrinologist today all my numbers came back normal, I told him how come when my primary did my labs, my tsh came back 6.5 he said they probably measured it differently, but that is akward.

I am going back to my primary next week to get the labs he re-did on my tsh levels and see what they say, as well as bringing in my copy of my labs my endo gave me.