Subclinical Hypothyroidism ???

[daekini]

My sister is pregnant with her 1st baby, due December 13! :banana

Today she had her first OB visit and was told she had subclinical hypothyroidism. Can someone here illuminate me? Has anyone delt with this? She has sporadic internet access so I'm asking this for her.

[crayolaab]

My sister is pregnant with her 1st baby, due December 13! :banana

Today she had her first OB visit and was told she had subclinical hypothyroidism. Can someone here illuminate me? Has anyone delt with this? She has sporadic internet access so I'm asking this for her.

Saw this just browsing through so I can't relate to pregnancy-related aspects, but I have this. It just means my thyroid is kind of sluggish but not slow enough for my doctor to justify medicating. Basically, borderline normal. Generally there is a lack of symptoms. Many doctors will treat this, some don't. I encourage your sister to talk to her doctor about treating (with a simple thyroid replacement pill), however, as hypothyroid symptoms can mimic pregnancy symptoms (tiredness/lethargy, weight gain, depression, hair loss, etc) so I would be wary of a diagnosis of "subclinical" hypothyroidism, if they are dismissing what could very well be symptoms due to the pregnancy if that makes sense.

This is a reasonable website from a reasonable woman who has written books about hypothyroidism: http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/subclinicalhypofaq.htm

[daekini]

Thanks! Actually, the diagnosis was made based on hormone levels in her blood, not symptoms.

[hergrace]

I would tell her to ask her doctor to prescribe medication or have her seen by an endocrinologist soon.

I am subclinically hypothyroid, and my health care team and I believe that this condition was probably responsible for my recurrent miscarriages.

Pregnancy aggravates thyroid conditions, so her thyroid levels should be checked regularly throughout the pregnancy. I've had to have my dosage upped three times already this pregnancy and I'm at 30 weeks. It's important to keep the levels good to sustain the pregnancy and to provide the thyroid hormones to the baby - babies don't start producing their own thyroid until late second or third trimester.

[Pyxi]

Jeez, I just happened on this thread and it scared me. I have suffered fatigue, depression, and weight issues since puberty and I have always been told my thyroid is 'borderline'.

I've been so tired while pg that I can barely stay awake at my desk most days. Now I'm annoyed to find out that this is a condition that could have affected my baby. I wouldn't consider treating myself while pg, but does anyone have a source for natural treatments for this Subclinical Hypothyroidism? I'm very interested.

Thanks for posting this, daekini. I had never heard the term before now.

[crayolaab]

Thanks! Actually, the diagnosis was made based on hormone levels in her blood, not symptoms.

Yes, that's pretty much the definition of subclinical hypo. I just wanted to make sure they weren't "ignoring" symptoms, saying they were due to the pregnancy - does that make sense?

[crayolaab]

Jeez, I just happened on this thread and it scared me. I have suffered fatigue, depression, and weight issues since puberty and I have always been told my thyroid is 'borderline'.

I've been so tired while pg that I can barely stay awake at my desk most days. Now I'm annoyed to find out that this is a condition that could have affected my baby. I wouldn't consider treating myself while pg, but does anyone have a source for natural treatments for this Subclinical Hypothyroidism? I'm very interested.

Thanks for posting this, daekini. I had never heard the term before now.

I know it is not quite what you are asking, but the treatment for hypo. is thyroid hormone replacement. You can get synthetic or natural (from pigs) hormone replacements. I see this as a "natural" treatment because you are only replacing what *should* be in your body but I know not everyone agrees with me on that :)

There are some good diet-based treatment plans and other natural remedies you can try. I personally have not done these but a great book about diet is called "The Thyroid Diet", I believe it's by mary Shomon.

[firsttimemama]

Hi,

I was probably subclinical before my 1st pregnancy (based on symptoms/family history). Unfortunately I had a miscarriage. Following the miscarriage, I was diagnosed as hypothyroid & treated. I wanted to suggest that anyone with a strong family history of hypothyroid ask not only to be tested for hypo with the usual panel (TSH, etc) but also TPOab or "thyroid antibodies". This is how my thyroid problem was discovered (after my miscarriage). I've heard if you're hypo you should have monthly thyroid tests during pregnancy. My RE recommends keeping your TSH under 2 for fertility.

Just some thoughts
Laura