Thyroid during pregnancy

Hi everyone

I am 19 weeks pregnant with baby # 1. I got my blood tested for TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) 2 weeks back and was diagnosed with increased TSH level (4.9). The normal range during second trimester should be from 0 - 2.5. My midwife has referred me to a specialist but I am still waiting to hear from him. In the meantime I consulted my GP and she has started me on a daily dose of Levothyroxine (50mcg). But at the same time she asked me to stop taking Iodine supplement. Has anyone else been diagnosed with a similar condition. If yes, are you still taking Iodine supplements? Thanks in advance for taking time to respond.

Best wishes,
N

Hi there

Thanks for your message.

I have my specialist's appointment next Thursday. Will keep you posted.

In the meantime, I asked the question regarding iodine supplement along with Thyroid medicine to an Oh Baby Expert. Dr. Martin Sowter replied back the next day. I have pasted his reply below as it may be of help to you -

“These results suggest you have a mildly underactive thyroid. The underlying cause at this point isn’t known and your endocrinologists may do some additional tests to find out more about why you thyroid is underactive -though in most cases you will still be told you have an underactive thyroid with no definite cause. Quite correctly you have been started on thyroxine. This dose may need to be increased if your TSH doesn’t fall over the next few weeks and most women on thyroxine will need their dose of thyroxine increased towards the end of their pregnancy.

The recommended daily intake of iodine in pregnancy is about 200 to 290 micrograms (the recommended dose varies from country to country). There is increasing evidence that a many women eating a “modern” diet (eating out, eating processed food, not eating much iodine rich food and so on) will be deficient in dietary iodine. Iodine is important for baby’s brain and neurological development and although the exact effects of mild iodine deficiency are still debated there is good evidence that more severe deficiencies can have a marked effect on baby’s development. For this reason, our ministry of health recommends all women take a supplement containing at least 150 microgram of iodine throughout pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Very high levels of iodine intake (about 10 times this recommended daily dose) may also cause problems but not at these recommended doses.

I would suggest you continue to take your iodine supplement until you are seen by your endocrinologist. Taking thyroxine to normalise your thyroid function will make more thyroxine available to baby but your diet may still be deficient in the iodine that baby needs for its own thyroxine production. There is really no risk of exposing yourself or baby to too much iodine with a 150 microgram supplement and it would be safer for you to continue taking your iodine supplement throughout pregnancy even while on thyroxine at this dose.”

Hope that helps
martin"

Godo luck with your appointment :-)

Cheers,
N