Did You Develop a Thyroid Condition During Your Pregnancy?

By cranberryapple Feb 27, 2014

I'm 12 weeks pregnant and was just informed that I should start taking thyroid medication (Synthroid) because my levels were looking a bit high. I've never had to take any medications before, so this makes me extremely nervous. Overall, I consider myself pretty healthy, but I know pregnancy can do weird things to the body! This is my second pregnancy though and I never had this problem with the first. I'm just super bummed out about this as I take a somewhat holistic approach to my health and I don't like to take medications that can have side effects. I will do it if I have to, but...still bummed!

Did this happen to you too? What was the outcome? Did you have to go in for visits more often, and is this considered a "high-risk" pregnancy? Did the thyroid condition go away after birth? Did you have to continue on the medications?

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15 comments

spaniellove
honeydew / 7916 posts

Feb 27, 2014

I found out with one of my pregnancies last year that my thyroid levels were elevated (they were fine a few months prior) so I was put on Synthroid. The Synthroid hasn't had any side effects for me whereas having hypothyroidism can have undesirable side effects. My OB just checks my thyroid levels once a trimester and although I'm already high-risk for other conditions the hypothyroidism doesn't contribute much. They think it's temporary and shouldn't be lifelong!
Mrs. M
kiwi / 645 posts

Feb 27, 2014

Sorry you are bummed! I had a thyroid condition before getting pregnant, but can relate to not wanting to take medicine. I have an underactive thyroid and my first pregnancy made it worse. On a happy note, I am currently pregnant with #2 and for both pregnancies I have not been considered high risk. The medicine has also helped me feel a lot better, so I no longer look at it negatively. Best of luck!
LovelyPlum
eggplant / 11408 posts

Feb 27, 2014

I'm sorry to hear this I don't have any good advice for you, but I'm glad that your doctor is being proactive. It stinks to have to be on medicine during pregnancy (I'm on 3 different ones), but if it keeps you healthy, it's worth it. After all, can't have a healthy baby without a healthy mama!
lilyann
nectarine / 2878 posts

Feb 27, 2014

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in my 2nd pregnancy (but not my 1st) and I was bummed. I cannot give many answers because I am still pregnant but I am hoping it goes away after pregnancy. I am not considered high risk because of it, my doc thinks it won't have any impact on pregnancy/labor as long as I am on the right dose and remember to take it daily (it can impact baby's development if not treated).
kml636
pomegranate / 3225 posts

Feb 27, 2014

I have hypothyroidism with this pregnancy which is also my second, but my levels have been going down so they have not put me on medicine yet. I really don't have any advice to offer you I guess but just to commiserate! Right now they are testing my levels once a month and then I will move to every two weeks later in the pregnancy.
pui
bananas / 9899 posts

Feb 27, 2014

I was diagnosed with hypothyroid before I was pregnant. Don't be too hard on yourself, thyroid imbalances are prevalent and synthroid is one of the most commonly prescribed medications there are! I've been taking synthroid for months now and have had no side effects at all.

I have heard on another forum about a natural form of synthroid called Armour Thyroid, which could be more appealing to you?
RubyCali
apricot / 303 posts

Feb 27, 2014

I developed hypothyroidism in my pregnancy. I was so worried but it ended up not being a big deal at all. All Synthroid does is replace the thyroid hormones you are missing. I didn't have any side effects. All hypothyroidism did is earn me a couple more blood draws than usual.

I stopped taking my meds as soon my daughter was born. When I went in for my 6 week appointment/blood work my levels were back to normal. Just one of those lovely, weird pregnancy things that went away after birth!
cranberryapple
kiwi / 540 posts

Feb 27, 2014

@kml636: Right now, my levels are considered high for the first trimester, but this number would be normal-ish for the second trimester, which I'm on the cusps of, so I wonder if it will just stay the same or even go down afterwards. Are you doing anything different to have your levels go down? Hope you're able to stay off the meds!!
cranberryapple
kiwi / 540 posts

Feb 27, 2014

@pui: Thanks! I just found out about Armour, so I'll ask my OB about it! Yeah, I admit I was kinda beating myself up over it...like, maybe I was doing something that caused it!!
cranberryapple
kiwi / 540 posts

Feb 27, 2014

@RubyCali: Yours sounds like the best case scenario and makes me hopeful! I currently have no symptoms now either.
MrsH
honeydew / 7667 posts

Feb 27, 2014

I've been on thyroid medication for over ten years so mine isn't pregnancy related. They just keep an eye on it for the most part.
Mrs.Someone
pomelo / 5228 posts

Feb 27, 2014

Hypothyroidism is super common in women. I've been on meds for many years now and have never had side effects since it just replaces what your body should be making naturally. I switched to Armour about a year ago, since I heard some people react better on it. I found no difference, but I like that it is natural (it comes from pig thyroid). And as long as your levels are well managed (TSH at 2.5 or less), you are not high-risk.
skipra
pomegranate / 3350 posts

Feb 27, 2014

My levels were slightly elevated at my first blood draw with this pregnancy so I went to an endocrinologist. So far (30 weeks now) I haven't been put on medication. I think they've been borderline but ok since so I'm just being monitored every 6 weeks.
kml636
pomegranate / 3225 posts

Feb 27, 2014

@cranberryapple: well, I was trying to exercise 40 mins a day because I know that can help them. Also, before I drank a lot of "green juice". So I did my own research and high amounts of raw kale, spinach, etc can effect your thyroid. Who knew? I cut out all that stuff also.

I have no idea if my efforts helped reduce it, or if my body is just adjusting to pregnancy, but it does make me wonder if I've had it my whole life and didn't know it!
RubyCali
apricot / 303 posts

Feb 27, 2014

@kml636: I was drinking a ton of green smoothies in the first trimester! I had no idea there was a link with the thyroid, so I'll be keeping this in mind for my next pregnancy.

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Did You Develop a Thyroid Condition During Your Pregnancy?

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