Re: Pregnant with high ft3 very anxious

[Guest guest]

I don't think it's anything to get too anxious about, it's only a little above

some arbitary range.... it's not like it's 40 or 50...

When you are pregnant the hormones seem to whizz about all over the place.....

Have you been on this dose for very long and what were your last tests like

before you got pregnant?

You could try dropping the dose back to 30 or 35 and see if you still feel ok?

Worrying about it won't achieve anything...... so stop....

x

>

> Hi my ft3 is higher than range and I'm pregnant.

>

> Ft3 10.7 (4-6.8)

> Tsh 0.02

>

> I take cynomel. Should I be worried I am 5 weeks pregnant ?

> How much shall I decrease to get my ft3 down or do you think it will cone down

anyway as baby develops ???

>

> I take 43.75 t3 only which is quite a small dose anyway.

>

> Any guidance or reassurance would be grateful as I am very anxious about it

thank you

>

[Guest guest]

On Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:51:28 -0000, you wrote:

>

>I take cynomel. Should I be worried I am 5 weeks pregnant ?

>How much shall I decrease to get my ft3 down or do you think it will cone down

anyway as baby develops ???

>

>I take 43.75 t3 only which is quite a small dose anyway.

>

>Any guidance or reassurance would be grateful as I am very anxious about it

thank you

It is reported that you will need more as the baby grows, the chances

are that will be the right amount soon

How long before the blood draw did you take T3? if it was less than 8

hours then it will be a skewed result anyway.

Nick

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi my ft3 is higher than range and I'm pregnant.

>

> Ft3 10.7 (4-6.8)

> Tsh 0.02

>

More importantly what is your FT4? For the first 12 weeks of pregnancy the

embryo/foetus relies on your T4 (its own thyroid isn't formed or functioning

before 12 weeks) and as such your gp/endocrinologist should check to make sure

your FT4 stays in the upper half of the range, preferably upper third.

Do you take T3 for hypothyroidism? Do you take levothyroxine too? If not and

your FT4 is too low then it might be suggested that you add in 25 to 50 mcg of

levothyroxine (and maybe a small reduction in T3 to compensate).

I take Erfa normally, and found I needed to drop my dose a little and add in 50

mcg of levothyroxine (I'm currently 7.5 months pregnant).

HTH,

Cat.

[Guest guest]

Thank you I needed to hear that. I know I sound anxious I will try to

relax now. Got some other questions hope you don't mind ?

I am tired guess this is my hormones but starting to get palps and bit of

hairloss. Does the placenta take only what it needs? Guess what im trying to say

iis can a high ft3 cause harm to a developing baby ?

Before pregnancy was taking 37.5 t3 only my ft3 was 9.2 (4-6.8).

I thought as I felt tired a couple of days ago I thought I was having symptoms

of hypothyroidism so I increased my t3 by 6.25 but actually these symptoms are

borderline hyperthyroidism arnt they ?Should I wait until next blood test in a

months time before adjusting dosage ? How do you really know when to increase as

I read during pregnancy within 4-20 weeks you prob need to increase t3 by 30-50%

?

Thanks again :-)

>

> I don't think it's anything to get too anxious about, it's only a little

above some arbitary range.... it's not like it's 40 or 50...

>

> When you are pregnant the hormones seem to whizz about all over the place.....

Have you been on this dose for very long and what were your last tests like

before you got pregnant?

>

> You could try dropping the dose back to 30 or 35 and see if you still feel

ok?

>

> Worrying about it won't achieve anything...... so stop....

>

>

> x

>

>EDITED TO REMOVE PREVIOUS MESSAGES

[Guest guest]

It depends on whether or not you had taken your Cytomel on the

morning you had your blood drawn. You should always stop taking T3 the day

before you have your blood drawn, because T3 peaks in the blood 2 to 3 hours

after taking it and gives very high results.

Luv - sheila

Hi my ft3 is higher than range and I'm

pregnant.

Ft3 10.7 (4-6.8)

Tsh 0.02

[Guest guest]

Hi thanks for your reply. I had a totalthyroidectomy due to cancer then suffered

with hypothyroidism.

I don't take t4 as it turns onto rt3. I don't convert it and t4 makes me so

poorly hence why I take t3 only (cynomel). Tried levothyroxine and Erfa. T4 just

builds up in my system causing too much rt3 and I believe this can harm a

developing baby. There have been ladies on rt3 group who have had normal

babies taking t3 only and my private doc has a successful pregnancy rate at his

clinic with women on t3 only. Your right to ask as i asked the same question

after reading about baby brain development as there is conflicting information

on what a baby needs in terms of t4 and t3.

Thanks again

> >

> > Hi my ft3 is higher than range and I'm pregnant.

[Guest guest]

Hi Nick

How silly of me I took my cynomel on the morning and had blood drawn about 4

half hours later thing is I do feel like I'm a bit hyper with shakes and palps

not too bad but it's a sign I am having too much. In future will make sure I

don't take it first thing but can this affect my baby as I have no t4 if I take

a dose late ? I don't know much about pregnancy and t3 only.

It's a difficult one for me Nick I have no thyroid due to thyroid cancer and t4

makes me so poorly as the t4 just sits in my blood making rt3. I feel great on

t3 even though it is a small dose.

I can't help but worry as it's not straight forward for me.

Thank you

>

> >

> >I take cynomel. Should I be worried I am 5 weeks pregnant ?

> >How much shall I decrease to get my ft3 down or do you think it will cone

down anyway as baby develops ???

> >

[Guest guest]

T4 does NOT turn into rT3 - well some does, but not a lot, and

in the tiny amount it does, it doesn't affect your health. This is a normal

process. The T4 should convert to the active thyroid hormone T3. Your brain

needs a certain amount of T4, and this is taken care of by the amount of T4 a normal

thyroid gland makes, but if you had a total thyroidectomy you will not be

making any T4, either to convert to T3 or to get into the brain, so you really

need to be on T4 as well as T3 for your body, who doesn't have a thyroid gland

to start with and so will need to use your thyroid hormone. Those pregnant

ladies on the rT3 group probably still had their thyroid intact, or a partial

thyroid so they could still produce the required T4.

Luv - Sheila

Hi thanks for your reply. I had a totalthyroidectomy due to cancer then

suffered with hypothyroidism.

I don't take t4 as it turns onto rt3. I don't convert it and t4 makes me so

poorly hence why I take t3 only (cynomel). Tried levothyroxine and Erfa. T4

just builds up in my system causing too much rt3 and I believe this can harm a

developing baby. There have been ladies on rt3 group who have had normal

babies taking t3 only and my private doc has a successful pregnancy rate at his

clinic with women on t3 only. Your right to ask as i asked the same question

after reading about baby brain development as there is conflicting information

on what a baby needs in terms of t4 and

No

virus found in this message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 2012.0.1901 / Virus Database: 2109/4753 - Release Date: 01/19/12

[Guest guest]

EDITED TO REMOVE PREVIOUS MESSAGES - PLEASE DO THIS BEFORE CLICKING ON REPLY.

MODERATOR

Gosh I'm so confused Sheila. The private doc who advises me said baby doesn't

need t4 and me being on t3 is fine. He is a reputable doc as you know him Shiela

I met you at the same time as seeing him without making it obvious who it is in

writing as I don't think I'm allowed too.

I understand what your saying now bout rt3 either way Levothyroxine and ERfa

made me toxic and very ill. My body doesn't tolerate it.

Thank you for coming back to me I am very worried and so unsure what to do

>

> T4 does NOT turn into rT3 - well some does, but not a lot, and in the tiny

> amount it does, it doesn't affect your health. This is a normal process. The

> T4 should convert to the active thyroid hormone T3. Your brain needs a

> certain amount of T4, and this is taken care of by the amount of T4 a normal

> thyroid gland makes, but if you had a total thyroidectomy you will not be

> making any T4, either to convert to T3 or to get into the brain, so you

> really need to be on T4 as well as T3 for your body, who doesn't have a

> thyroid gland to start with and so will need to use your thyroid hormone.

> Those pregnant ladies on the rT3 group probably still had their thyroid

> intact, or a partial thyroid so they could still produce the required T4.

>

> Luv - Sheila

[Guest guest]

On Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:14:12 -0000, you wrote:

>

>How silly of me I took my cynomel on the morning and had blood drawn about 4

half hours later thing is I do feel like I'm a bit hyper with shakes and palps

not too bad but it's a sign I am having too much. In future will make sure I

don't take it first thing but can this affect my baby as I have no t4 if I take

a dose late ? I don't know much about pregnancy and t3 only.

Then that FT3 is perfectly reasonable

Take it up or down from there based on symptoms, pulse, and

temperature

>

>It's a difficult one for me Nick I have no thyroid due to thyroid cancer and t4

makes me so poorly as the t4 just sits in my blood making rt3. I feel great on

t3 even though it is a small dose.

Do you know why, are iron or adrenals out of balance, they are the

most common causes of RT3

>

>I can't help but worry as it's not straight forward for me.

There was a lady on the RT3 group who had a baby born while she was on

T3 only

http://thyroid-rt3.com/happy.htm

Was her posting to the group after the birth

Nick

[Guest guest]

EDITED TO REMOVE PREVIOUS MESSAGES - PLEASE MAKE SURE THIS IS DONE YOURSELF

BEFORE CLICKING ON SEND. IT COULD MEAN A DELAY IN HAVING YOUR MESSAGE APPROVED

OR YOUR MESSAGE BEING REJECTED AND RETURNED TO YOU ASKING YOU TO DO THIS.

MODERATOR

Thank you Nick for referring me to that success story I wondered where I saw it.

Do you know whether the lady had a thyroid was she producing any t4 herself ?

Guess not as it says that t3 does pass through the placenta and t4 is not

needed. So on reading that me and babyI should be ok on t3 only with no t4

whatsoever (I have no thyroid)

My adrenals are fine temps are stable at 36.9. Had ACTH test came back normal.

Iron is bit low but am treating this having blood test for iron panel next week

as I know this can affect thyroid.

Thanks Nick

>

> >

> >How silly of me I took my cynomel on the morning and had blood drawn about 4

half hours later thing is I do feel like I'm a bit hyper with shakes and palps

not too bad but it's a sign I am having too much. In future will make sure I

don't take it first thing but can this affect my baby as I have no t4 if I take

a dose late ? I don't know much about pregnancy and t3 only.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

I have recently had a baby and my t3 went high too during pregnancy. It went

down in the first trimester then went up . I saw my endo and he explained the

hormones can push this up and he was not concerned. I did however decrease my t3

as I was having hyper signs but this was after the first trimester. Pregnancy

has helped my thyroid in many ways as I'm on half the dose I used to be on.

Hope this helps

>

> Hi my ft3 is higher than range and I'm pregnant.

>

> Ft3 10.7 (4-6.8)

> Tsh 0.02

>

> I take cynomel. Should I be worried I am 5 weeks pregnant ?

> How much shall I decrease to get my ft3 down or do you think it will cone down

anyway as baby develops ???

>

> I take 43.75 t3 only which is quite a small dose anyway.

>

> Any guidance or reassurance would be grateful as I am very anxious about it

thank you

>

[Guest guest]

Well this is a bit confusing... Nick foot covered reverse T3 in his speech

http://www.tpa-uk.org.uk/meeting_typed_speeches/nick_foot_2010.pdf and Doctor

Peatfield describes in his book in the chapter about reverse t3, how T4 is

converted into reverse t3 in order to break it down and reuse the iodine.

The problems start when too much T4 turns into reverse t3, blocking the T3

receptor cells

If the t4 doesn't convert into t3 as it should, and taking any t4 makes her

ill then it's surely not a good idea. Plenty of people survive quite happily

on T3 alone and Dr Peatfield says in his book that a baby has mainly reverse T3

and that the mother borrows some of the babys thyroid hormone in the normal

form if she is hypothyroid (page 152, chapter 11 of Your thyroid and how to

keep it healthy)

If T4 doesn't make reverse T3, where does it come from in sufficient amounts to

affect your health?

.

>

> T4 does NOT turn into rT3 - well some does, but not a lot, and in the tiny

> amount it does, it doesn't affect your health. This is a normal process. The

> T4 should convert to the active thyroid hormone T3.

[Guest guest]

Is there any way we could get Dr Peatfield to confirm what is right or wrong

regarding if a baby needs T4 ?

This poor lady just wants to make sure her baby is ok, but the thread has some

contradicitons! I'm confused! Im also guessing the lady mite be!

Steve

[Guest guest]

Steve,

Page 152 of Dr Peatfields book says .....

" A special case concerns the baby in utero; it produces much of it's thyroid

hormones as rT3 until birth. If the mother, however, is actually hypothyroid,

she borrows some of the baby's thyroid in the normal form. This has two

results: the mother may be fine during he pregnancy, but goes down with a banes

and the thyroid hormone acts as a growth hormone in the baby, with the result

that the baby may be extra heavy....... "

Any help?

>

> Is there any way we could get Dr Peatfield to confirm what is right or wrong

regarding if a baby needs T4 ?

>

> This poor lady just wants to make sure her baby is ok, but the thread has some

contradicitons! I'm confused! Im also guessing the lady mite be!

>

> Steve

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

I just wanted to say that I have 2 beautiful, intelligent daughters and I took

T3 only during both my pregnancies. T4 makes me ill. It didn't stop my idiot

consultant trying to get me to take T4 during my pregnancy so he could tick his

boxes. He kept telling me he couldn't say what would happen to my baby's brain

if I didn't take the T4. It still makes me angry now. He made me feel terrible

for not taking his advice.

My eldest daughter is 4 and reads far above her age. My youngest daughter is

almost 3 and shows every sign of being as clever as her sister.

I don't know much about the blood test results. My levels stayed reasonably

stable during pregnancy. I am sure someone on here can help you out though.

Best wishes with your pregnancy

>

> Hi thanks for your reply. I had a totalthyroidectomy due to cancer then

suffered with hypothyroidism.

> I don't take t4 as it turns onto rt3. I don't convert it and t4 makes me so

poorly hence why I take t3 only (cynomel). Tried levothyroxine and Erfa. T4 just

builds up in my system causing too much rt3 and I believe this can harm a

developing baby.

[Guest guest]

It doesnt advise if the mother needs to have any T4 in her system tho

Steve

>

> Steve,

>

> Page 152 of Dr Peatfields book says .....

>

> " A special case concerns the baby in utero; it produces much of it's thyroid

hormones as rT3 until birth. If the mother, however, is actually hypothyroid,

she borrows some of the baby's thyroid in the normal form. This has two

results: the mother may be fine during he pregnancy, but goes down with a banes

and the thyroid hormone acts as a growth hormone in the baby, with the result

that the baby may be extra heavy....... "

>

>

> Any help?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The important thing is that a foetus has no thyroid activity at all for the

first 10-12 weeks, it isn't formed until then - but it does need T4. Ordinarily

in a person without thyroid issues the mother's hormonal changes (increased

oestrogen > increased thyroid binding globulin > increased demand for T4 and T3

in blood) results in an appropriate rise in thyroid hormones to allow for

this... Apparently the thyroid increases in size by up to a third over pregnancy

due to the increased demand.

I have also read that the amniotic fluid that the baby is in shows changes in

the concentration of T4 and T3 over the pregnancy, T4 is low to 20 weeks or so

and then steadily rises; T3 levels are high mid-pregnancy and then fall.

The concern around lack of sufficient thyroid hormone comes from a study that

showed children with hypothyroid mothers (those with low levels of thyroid T4

hormone) showed an IQ decrease... Now I would say from my experience that IQ may

not so much be an issue as learning difficulties. My pregnancy with my daughter

was ineffectively monitored (knowing what I know now) and I had high thyroid

antibodies, my daughter has dyslexia with a normal to high IQ I'd guess (and is

hypothyroid). With my son I monitored my levels more closely trying to keep my

T4 levels high and he hasn't got dyslexia or hypothyroidism (yet) and is

actually identified as gifted and talented... Now the one I'm pregnant with, I

don't know how it will turn out, but I've been trying to keep my T4 levels high

and had to drop some T3 (in Erfa) as I became hyperthyroid (by symptom before

test) and needed more T4 instead.

The original questioner should pointedly ask her doctor if it is ok to have no

T4 in her blood. I would imagine a small dose of levothyroxine (25mcg) would not

cause her usual horrendous issues in pregnancy as the baby will use it, it

wouldn't have chance to build up in the mother's tissues - but that's just my

opinion it would be interesting to hear what this doctor thinks.

Cat.

>

> Steve,

>

> Page 152 of Dr Peatfields book says .....

>

> " A special case concerns the baby in utero; it produces much of it's thyroid

hormones as rT3 until birth.

>

>

[Guest guest]

MOST OF PREVIOUS MESSAGE DELETED APART FROM A FEW LINES. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU

HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE CLICKING 'SEND'. LUV - SHEILA

_________________________

Thank you so much for going through the trouble to help me.

I have spoken to DR P and he reassures me that I don't need T4.

T4 converts into T3 anyway. As my thyroid doseage is so small for someone with

no thyroid he suggests there may have been some thyroid left over or could be

growing back (this is a suggestion) and this is why my dose is small 37.5 t3

with an ft3 of 10.7 range ( 4-6.8)as I may be producing some of my own anyway ??

He said there is no point in me adding t4 as it converts into t3 any which baby

needs.

I am not sure whether I am supposed to mention which doctor I consult with so if

it isn't allowed I apologise and I understand if Sheila or moderator doesn't

list this reply. I just wanted to let members know incase there is someone in

the same position as me.

I have to come off my t3 for a couple of days to get my ft3 down and then go

back onto my usual dose.

Feel more reassured. Thank you to all who have read and replied to me I really

so appreciate your guidance.

> The important thing is that a foetus has no thyroid activity at all for the

first 10-12 weeks, it isn't formed until then - but it does need T4. Ordinarily

in a person without thyroid issues the mother's hormonal changes (increased

oestrogen > increased thyroid binding globulin > increased demand for T4 and T3

in blood) results in an appropriate rise in thyroid hormones to allow for

this... Apparently the thyroid increases in size by up to a third over pregnancy

due to the increased demand.

>

> I

[Guest guest]

T4 does nothing, it is a mainly inactive thyroid hormone that

has to convert to T3. However, you do sound to be taking too much T3 if you are

having symptoms of hyper with shakes and palpitations. Are you taking all your

T3 in one dose. You should not be. You should take half when you wake and the

other half about 2.00p.m. This is because T3 has a very short half life and the

effect starts to wear off after 6 to 8 hours, so you take it twice (or more

times) daily to keep the engine running. If you are taking it already in split

doses, then drop your T3 by 10 (12.5mcgs) depending on what brand you take? As

you have no thyroid gland and you are not making any T4, you will need to add

some T4 to your T3, but perhaps your GP needs to refer you to a specialist in

this field

Luv - Sheila

How silly of me I took my cynomel on the morning and had blood drawn about 4

half hours later thing is I do feel like I'm a bit hyper with shakes and palps

not too bad but it's a sign I am having too much. In future will make sure I

don't take it first thing but can this affect my baby as I have no t4 if I take

a dose late ? I don't know much about pregnancy and t3 only.

It's a difficult one for me Nick I have no thyroid due to thyroid cancer and t4

makes me so poorly as the t4 just sits in my blood making rt3. I feel great on

t3 even though it is a small dose.

> >

No

virus found in this message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 2012.0.1901 / Virus Database: 2109/4753 - Release Date: 01/19/12

[Guest guest]

Did Dr peatfield suggest coming off T3 for a couple of days? Did you tell him

you took your T3 before the test ?

Steve

>

> I have to come off my t3 for a couple of days to get my ft3 down and then go

back onto my usual dose.

[Guest guest]

Hello Steve

I didnt tell him i took my t3 4 hours before blood was drawn my heads all over

the place. I forgot. How much difference does it make to your results if you do

take thyroid meds before blood draw. I realise it skews the result. I know I am

hyper as my heart is fast and thumping and my pulse is 96/min dr said it needs

to be below 80.

Thank you

>

> Did Dr peatfield suggest coming off T3 for a couple of days? Did you tell him

you took your T3 before the test ?

>

> Steve

> >

> > I have to come off my t3 for a couple of days to get my ft3 down and then go

back onto my usual dose.

>

[Guest guest]

It makes alot of difference, exactly how much nobody would know.

I didnt think you did as i did not think he would advise for you to stop T3 for

a few days while you are pregnant.

Everybody is different tho, i once had a FT3 of 10 with the same ranges and i

did not take my T3 for 12 hours before the test but i felt normal and not hyper.

As paul says in his book, you do not really want to be making changes to your T3

medication based only on FT3. You have a fast pulse also tho so maybe try and

get hold of Dr Peatfield again, or just lower your dose and not fully stop it ?

Steve

>

> Hello Steve

> I didnt tell him i took my t3 4 hours before blood was drawn my heads all over

the place. I forgot. How much difference does it make to your results if you do

take thyroid meds before blood draw. I realise it skews the result. I know I am

hyper as my heart is fast and thumping and my pulse is 96/min dr said it needs

to be below 80.

> Thank you

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that advice Steve I just called DR P and I mentioned I took my t3 4

hours before blood draw and he said as my pulse is high and experiencing hyper

symptoms he said to still come off t3 for a couple of days.

Thanks again

>

> As paul says in his book, you do not really want to be making changes to your

T3 medication based only on FT3. You have a fast pulse also tho so maybe try and

get hold of Dr Peatfield again, or just lower your dose and not fully stop it ?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi I would not drop the dose you are happy with as the baby will be needing this as it develops. as a matter of fact you may need a little more, if on natural or levo, this would be in the order of 50% over the course of the pregnancy. as to the fact you are on T3 only not to sure about the amount you will need totake.! best to do so research . you never no what you may find.! Angel.