iCliniq Logo
HomeAnswersEndocrinologyhypothyroidism

Are thyroid medications safe during pregnancy?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am pregnant. When I was four weeks and two days pregnant I got my TSH measured. My reports are as follows:

  1. TSH: 9 (very high).
  2. T4: 126 (normal).
  3. Free t4: 17 (normal).
  4. T3: 1,7 (normal).

I was taking 100 mg of tablet Eltroxin earlier. But, now I take 150 mg a day. My thyroid is swollen, and I cough and clear my throat a lot. How much risk am I posing to the baby? Is this causing a risk to fetal brain development?

Answered by Dr. Shaikh Sadaf

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I just read your query and from what you have mentioned it appears that you are pregnant and with hypothyroidism. As per your questions;

A woman having hypothyroidism is at the risk of causing fetal and maternal complications if not diagnosed early or left untreated. There is no percentage available. So since you are already diagnosed and your dose has been appropriately increased this reduces the adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus. If you were not on any treatment then it was possible risk for fetal brain development but now the risk has been reduced due to timely treatment. You should do a thyroid function test every four to six weeks throughout your pregnancy. The clearing throat symptoms should be physically examined by your doctor to rule out any seasonal upper respiratory tract infections or allergies. An enlarged thyroid should be examined by ultrasound thyroid.

I hope you find my advice beneficial.

Good luck.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Searching on the internet and I found out that my condition is called hypothyroidism, and that it is associated with higher risk, but that gets better, if I get treated early. But better odds are not really concrete at all. Some people say it is the T4 that is important for a fetus's brain development, and that is normal in my body. Is that true? I have also heard that weeks six to 12 are most important due to fetal brain development. Is that true? With my numbers is there still a risk for the fetus's brain development? Since I was diagnosed early and I am taking medicine, will that say that the risk almost equals zero? Or is it still a risk? I want to have some concrete answers, not like, it might be a risk but your odds are better since you were diagnosed early since that is too vague to really tell me anything.

Thanks for the answers.

Answered by Dr. Shaikh Sadaf

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Let me answer each one of your questions one by one-

  1. Yes.T4 is important but if TSH is high that means T4 ought to be low in your body and that is why you are being treated with the tablet Eltroxin (Thyroxine sodium).
  2. Yes, if the TSH is 9 then yes, it is a risk to the fetus.
  3. No, there is reduced risk now since you are diagnosed early if you read my earlier answer carefully. Because now you are on treatment. Nonetheless, the patient still remains at risk for miscarriage and none can predict what percentage because each individual patient holds a unique internal body system and the hormone in question is in micrograms.

I have read many studies about this topic but none mentions the percentage of risk involved in such a case.

I hope that answers your questions.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Yes, I read your first answer and understood that you said reduced risk. My comment was that reduced risk is very vague. It is not really telling me anything. What does reducing risk mean? Does it mean that as long as TSH will be regulated within a few weeks there will be no risk? (since you answered yes to fetus brain development starting at six weeks) I understand that there is a risk of miscarriage. What I want to know are what are the risks for fetal brain development in my specific case (given my numbers, and given that I am already being treated).

Answered by Dr. Shaikh Sadaf

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

No, there is no specific number which I can quote pertaining to risk.

Answered byDr. Shaikh Sadaf

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At May 8, 2023
Reviewed AtAugust 14, 2024

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Shaikh Sadaf
Dr. Shaikh Sadaf

Endocrinology

Consult this doctor
Listen to related tracks in our music library

Related Questions

Why is there excessive heat in my body with burning sensation in foot?

Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Should a woman be concerned about facing symptoms such as late periods, breakouts, and moodiness after delivery?

Hypothyroidism - Causes, Clinical Features, Complications, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Pregnancy and Transplant - Risks and Complications

Pregnancy With Preexisting Kidney Disease - Complications and Management

Read answers about:

hypothyroidismpregnancy

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Endocrinology

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Trustpilot

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.