Hypothyrodism and Pregnancy

Hi D.,
I've been taking Synthroid for close to 10 years now for hypothyroidism and had 2 healthy pregnancies while taking it. I didn't have any issues conceiving or carrying each one.
Good luck to you!

Daisy,
I developed hypothyroidism after the birth of my son. I've been on medication since then, and see my endo regularly for testing. She warned me that I would need to see her the minute I knew I was pregnant because the embryo takes your thyroid hormone until they can make their own, at about 12 weeks. At this time, it's VERY important that you have enough for them and yourself, so your doc will need to increase your dosage. I've been getting my bloodwork done every month since I got pregnant. The scary thing is how many people have it and AREN'T on medication. There's a risk of brain problems/ retardation if they don't have enough thyroid hormone for the embryo. So as long are you are on top of your medication, you and your baby will be fine.
As for getting pregnant...it took us 2 years to get pregnant with my son, and (on medication), our 2nd baby was conceived the first time we tried! :) I hope you have the same success! ;)

Good luck to you!
T.
Barefoot Books Ambassador
www.ReadandGrow.com

I had no probs getting pregnant, or staying pregnant. although they did have to increase my meds.

Hi,
I can completely understand your concerns. I too have hypothyroidism for which I take synthroid. I had been diagnosed about 24 years before I became pregnant. It was a little tough getting pregnant, but I had no problems once I did. My endocrinologist increased my dosage about 3/4 of the way through my pregnancy. I was concerned if the medication or condition would prevent me from being able to breastfeed. I met with the hospital's lactation consultant and she assured me that there was nothing to worry about. It is important to make sure you levels are good before getting pregnant like Barefoot Mama mentioned. I hope everything works out for you..good luck.

I had graves disease and had my thyroid killed. I am now currently on Synthroid and have been for about four years now. Now the doc considers me hypothyroid. I have two kids and both my pregnancies were great! The doctor just checks your levels a few times during your pregnancy and makes adjustments to your meds accordingly. They also do a little more ultrasounds to make sure the baby is growing the way it should be. As far as I know, you shouldn't have anything to worry about!

If you notify your endocrinologist and your midwife or OB that you are trying to get pregnant, they will keep an eye on your levels and check your blood throughout the pregnancy and after your birth. There should not be any problem.

Good luck.

K. Voigtsberger, CD(DONA)

None of my doctors ever mentioned the risk of miscarriage with hypothyroidism. :( I have had two miscarriages and gave birth to one child. I take synthroid, but not too much so maybe the doctors didn't think I was high risk for miscarriage. They told me after the second miscarriage that it's more normal than one thinks and there is no set answer as to why either happened.

As far as how long it took to get pregnant - I am pretty certain I got pregnant on the first try all three times as we had just started trying each time I found out I was pregnant. In the first pregnancy, we saw a heartbeat. I was about 12 weeks along at the time I miscarried. The second pregnancy was successful and the third we never saw the heartbeat - I miscarried a few days after my OB-GYN appointment.

Definitely ask your doctor about it and see what he/she says.

Just some encouragement... I have hypothyroidism and have had 3 healthy pregnancies and no miscarriages. Take the meds and make sure your OB is watching your levels.

I think everyone is different. I was diagnosed with hypothyrodism a few years ago (about 2 years after my first son was born) and have now have been TTC for nearly 9 months. I've had one miscarriage so far :( I have been under the care of an endo and been on synthroid since I was diagnosed. While we can't know for sure if the hypo is the cause of the problems becoming pregnant and/or the miscarriage, it's definitely a possibility. That being said, as many of the previous posters have mentioned, many women with hypo (or hyper)thyroidism have had no trouble becoming pregnant/maintaining a pregnancy. Good luck!

I was not diagnosed with hypothyroidism until I had been trying to get pregnant for about six months. Once I was put on meds, it took about five more months for me to get pregnant. This go around (I'm 34 weeks), I felt like my thyroid was out of whack a bit and my meds needed to be increased. It took about 7 months for me to get pregnant. I've never had any threat of miscarriage at all. No bleeding, spotting or cramping once I got those two lines. Like most of the others on here, my dosage had to be increased both times while pregnant otherwise, I'm much more tired than even a normal pregnant woman!

I have hypothyroidism and was on meds for 3 out of the 5 pregnancies I had- I did have a couple miscarriages but they were unrelated to my thyroid issues- all my 5 babies were full term healthy babies with no problems during the pregnancies- you should be fine!
Good Luck!
~C.

I had the same problem... It was difficult to get pregnant, but once you do as long as you get your bloodwork done at least every 2-3 months, and at least once in the begining you should be fine. I had no increase to my dosage buy after I had the baby they had to actually decrease it alitlle. I still am breastfeeding my one year old and am doing fine. Don't worry!

I have it as well. Had 4 pregnancy and 4 beautiful children. All they do is check your levels more often during pregnancy as your numbers can change a lot. Other then that it shouldn't be an issue.