Just a short post today. I've not had much chance to get on with the research due to the excessively hot weather we had and will continue to get here in the UK this week.
Prior to my TT, I couldn't stand even a little heat. I got too warm and tired too quickly.
Now, however, its easier to deal with. I have trouble with really hot weather like today but who doesn't. Yet, I managed to get the back door open and got 4 washes of clothes dried! Fantastic when I usually have to deal with a clothes airer and a dryer.
OH and I decided today to keep news about us trying for another baby to very close family and friends for now, until we know a little more ourselves. Because we've realised how quickly people can misunderstand.
For example, my best friend, who doesn't live near us now, called today. So I went ahead and explained we are planning on trying, but need to wait.
"That's stupid, just go for it." She laughed when I said we were waiting on the specialist. "It's not like you to listen to doctors."
She's right, usually I don't. I'm known for forgetting pills, and getting bored of their advice, but this time its in mine and the baby's best interests. So I explained a little more about the reasons why we have to wait. Her answer?
"Well, get pregnant, and THEN see the specialist."
Seems we're hitting a brick wall with that one.
I also managed to tell my biological father and his partner today. The reaction was a little more sedate if you discount the one thing I've been dreading hearing.
"Well, remember twins run in both families!"
I'm pretty sure when OH said he's happy for us to have ONE more baby, he didn't consider that one!
In June 2009 I had a Total Thyroidectomy (Removal of the complete thyroid gland). Soon afterwards (within 2 weeks) my OH and I decided we wanted to try for another baby, to bring a sibling into the family for our 3 year old DD. This Journal/Blog, is going to be our journey from now, a few months preconception.
Monday, 29 June 2009
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Welcome, this is where it begins
Welcome to HypoBaby. This blog aims to chronical the journey from 2.5 weeks post Total Thyroidectomy to birth.
Right now, we're still preconception, but I just know this is going to be a journey and a half, therefore I wanted to share. Especially since I have noticed the complete lack of straight forward, jargonless and accessible information about Hypothyroid mothers and pregnancy.
So, here we go...hold on tight.
Background Story
I had a Total Thyroidectomy (TT) on the 10th June 2009 after almost 2 years of being Hyperthyroid (Overactive).
The operation was simple, and relatively painless. In fact, with the exception of the drain and clips being removed the day after, I've barely felt a thing.
Instead, I've been healthier and more full of energy than in a long time, which is giving those who know me, countless hours of fun.
Suddenly, this lazy, sleepy and constantly ill woman, is bounding with energy, awake early and constantly wanting to be on the go.
My Daughter (DD) is loving it too. She's three years old, and astounded that suddenly Mummy has the energy to play and run around.
The operation was definately the right way to go.
I recovered so quickly, that within 2 weeks my partner (OH) and I turned our conversations to bringing a sibling into the world for DD.
I'd always wanted 2 children, close enough together for them to have things in common.
OH, on the otherhand, wasn't sold straight away, and many conversations ensued, until we finally agreed to go ahead, and to do it as soon as we could.
So I called my GP to make an appointment as I wasn't sure if the TT would make a difference.
Oh Hell Yes!
On arrival at my appointment, I found that I would be seeing a new doctor. Which wasn't the best news, but I reasoned, any doctor is better than none and went ahead with my question.
"I underwent a TT recently and now, OH and I would like to try for another baby. In your opinion, how soon would it be safe?"
The doctor looked at me as though I was crazy and launched into a speech about it being risky, and that we should reconsider.
Then he changed tack, telling me that conceiving now, before we're sure my medication is correct, could be risky to both myself and the baby. Now, around 2 minutes after being told to reconsider he says.
"Wait 6 months. When do you see your specialist?"
"1st September" I told him.
"Ok, we need to take bloods in 6 weeks, then see what your specialist says."
The mind boggles!
I mean, if he had no idea, why not just say so.
I walked out of the surgery more confused than when I walked in.
How risky is it? What are the ACTUAL risks? How long should I wait?
I had not one single answer.
So I went home, and out came the internet and heres the first thing I learned.
Panic stations... infertility? miscarriage? not achieving intellectual potential?
By now, I was in tears.
Why hadn't anyone told me this pre-op?
Digging deeper I learnt other risks included stillbirth, severe illness to the mother and even possible death due to strain on the body during pregnancy.
What I didn't find until I'd read over 50 websites and driven myself into a complete tizzy was ...
THESE ARE ALL RISKS DURING PREGNANCY IF THE HYPOTHYROIDISM IS UNTREATED!
Yup, if the T4 and TSH levels and all the other stuff isn't controlled, THEN theres a lot of risk.
Not that I'll get it easy even if it is controlled.
There are still risks but, from where I am right now and the amount that I have read, there are 100 times less risks if the thyroxine level, which is the hormones that shifts the little numbers around after a bloodtest and determine how well I feel, is kept well controlled.
SO, Where am I at this time???
Well, we're going ahead and trying for number 2. But we're gonna do this by the book.
Firstly, I'm going to continue reading and learning about thyroid and pregnancy. Plus I'm going to consult my specialist, who, I am assured by his secretary when I called to attempt to pull my appointment forward, has had hundreds of post TT patients who have gone on to have healthy babies from relatively trouble free pregnancies.
What am I prepared for so far?
Extra tests prior to conception and during. - Gotta get those pesky levels exactly right.
Appointments galore - I have my diary, and its gonna get used. Appointments for checkups etc prior and throughout the pregnancy.
Medicine checks and changes throughout - If the level isn't right, its gotta be shaken up.
A pregnancy thats around about as normal as a blue apple - I know, from what information I have so far, that I cannot and will not have a completely normal gestation. It's not possible.
What do I know so far?
For the first trimester (3 months) of the pregnancy, baby uses mummy's thyroid. After that baby will have developed its own and will use its own hormones to do the rest. Therefore, since I don't have a thyroid, I need to use Levothyroxine daily to replace the missing hormones that the body gets through normal thyroid function.
This tablet is a synthetic thyroid hormone that I will have to take for the rest of my life to keep my body ticking over nicely.
Add a baby into the mix, who will be pinching bits of the synthetic stuff, and we have a problem... therefore, the dose may need increasing and decreasing during the pregnancy. Whereas, in a mother who has a working throid, it will produce more naturally if needed.
There may be the need for a change in diet as the Thyroid helps to control Iodine and sometimes sugar levels in the blood. Sugar is rarer but Iodine levels may need controlling as Iodine is needed to help the fetus develop, but too much of a good thing can be dangerous.
I also found a brilliant page, that gives some great first hand, no jargon answers to some questions.
check it out here.
So... onwards and upwards.
I'll be updating this page as often as possible with plain English information on the thyroid and pregnancy including some about Hyperthyroid.
I'll also be adding personal accounts throughout preconception and pregnancy including details about appointments and what the doctors say and do so you get first hand information.
My hopes for the blog/journal - To give women, and of course men, the information I couldn't find easily... in readable format. I want to give some hope and if I manage to stop one person from reading the horror stories first like I did... then I've accomplished what I need.
I hope you bookmark or subscribe and follow this journey with me.
Feel free to comment and add your own experiences, and lets make this a blog full of useful, useable and friendly information.
Right now, we're still preconception, but I just know this is going to be a journey and a half, therefore I wanted to share. Especially since I have noticed the complete lack of straight forward, jargonless and accessible information about Hypothyroid mothers and pregnancy.
So, here we go...hold on tight.
Background Story
I had a Total Thyroidectomy (TT) on the 10th June 2009 after almost 2 years of being Hyperthyroid (Overactive).
The operation was simple, and relatively painless. In fact, with the exception of the drain and clips being removed the day after, I've barely felt a thing.
Instead, I've been healthier and more full of energy than in a long time, which is giving those who know me, countless hours of fun.
Suddenly, this lazy, sleepy and constantly ill woman, is bounding with energy, awake early and constantly wanting to be on the go.
My Daughter (DD) is loving it too. She's three years old, and astounded that suddenly Mummy has the energy to play and run around.
The operation was definately the right way to go.
I recovered so quickly, that within 2 weeks my partner (OH) and I turned our conversations to bringing a sibling into the world for DD.
I'd always wanted 2 children, close enough together for them to have things in common.
OH, on the otherhand, wasn't sold straight away, and many conversations ensued, until we finally agreed to go ahead, and to do it as soon as we could.
So I called my GP to make an appointment as I wasn't sure if the TT would make a difference.
Oh Hell Yes!
On arrival at my appointment, I found that I would be seeing a new doctor. Which wasn't the best news, but I reasoned, any doctor is better than none and went ahead with my question.
"I underwent a TT recently and now, OH and I would like to try for another baby. In your opinion, how soon would it be safe?"
The doctor looked at me as though I was crazy and launched into a speech about it being risky, and that we should reconsider.
Then he changed tack, telling me that conceiving now, before we're sure my medication is correct, could be risky to both myself and the baby. Now, around 2 minutes after being told to reconsider he says.
"Wait 6 months. When do you see your specialist?"
"1st September" I told him.
"Ok, we need to take bloods in 6 weeks, then see what your specialist says."
The mind boggles!
I mean, if he had no idea, why not just say so.
I walked out of the surgery more confused than when I walked in.
How risky is it? What are the ACTUAL risks? How long should I wait?
I had not one single answer.
So I went home, and out came the internet and heres the first thing I learned.
Hypothyroidism can affect pregnancy in several ways:
- It can cause infertility in women because it can prevent the production of eggs.
- A pregnant woman with hypothyroidism is at higher risk for miscarriage.
- Women with untreated hypothyroidism near the time of delivery are in danger of developing high blood pressure and premature delivery.
- Babies born to women with untreated hypothyroidism may not achieve their full intellectual potential.
Panic stations... infertility? miscarriage? not achieving intellectual potential?
By now, I was in tears.
Why hadn't anyone told me this pre-op?
Digging deeper I learnt other risks included stillbirth, severe illness to the mother and even possible death due to strain on the body during pregnancy.
What I didn't find until I'd read over 50 websites and driven myself into a complete tizzy was ...
THESE ARE ALL RISKS DURING PREGNANCY IF THE HYPOTHYROIDISM IS UNTREATED!
Yup, if the T4 and TSH levels and all the other stuff isn't controlled, THEN theres a lot of risk.
Not that I'll get it easy even if it is controlled.
There are still risks but, from where I am right now and the amount that I have read, there are 100 times less risks if the thyroxine level, which is the hormones that shifts the little numbers around after a bloodtest and determine how well I feel, is kept well controlled.
SO, Where am I at this time???
Well, we're going ahead and trying for number 2. But we're gonna do this by the book.
Firstly, I'm going to continue reading and learning about thyroid and pregnancy. Plus I'm going to consult my specialist, who, I am assured by his secretary when I called to attempt to pull my appointment forward, has had hundreds of post TT patients who have gone on to have healthy babies from relatively trouble free pregnancies.
What am I prepared for so far?
Extra tests prior to conception and during. - Gotta get those pesky levels exactly right.
Appointments galore - I have my diary, and its gonna get used. Appointments for checkups etc prior and throughout the pregnancy.
Medicine checks and changes throughout - If the level isn't right, its gotta be shaken up.
A pregnancy thats around about as normal as a blue apple - I know, from what information I have so far, that I cannot and will not have a completely normal gestation. It's not possible.
What do I know so far?
For the first trimester (3 months) of the pregnancy, baby uses mummy's thyroid. After that baby will have developed its own and will use its own hormones to do the rest. Therefore, since I don't have a thyroid, I need to use Levothyroxine daily to replace the missing hormones that the body gets through normal thyroid function.
This tablet is a synthetic thyroid hormone that I will have to take for the rest of my life to keep my body ticking over nicely.
Add a baby into the mix, who will be pinching bits of the synthetic stuff, and we have a problem... therefore, the dose may need increasing and decreasing during the pregnancy. Whereas, in a mother who has a working throid, it will produce more naturally if needed.
There may be the need for a change in diet as the Thyroid helps to control Iodine and sometimes sugar levels in the blood. Sugar is rarer but Iodine levels may need controlling as Iodine is needed to help the fetus develop, but too much of a good thing can be dangerous.
I also found a brilliant page, that gives some great first hand, no jargon answers to some questions.
check it out here.
So... onwards and upwards.
I'll be updating this page as often as possible with plain English information on the thyroid and pregnancy including some about Hyperthyroid.
I'll also be adding personal accounts throughout preconception and pregnancy including details about appointments and what the doctors say and do so you get first hand information.
My hopes for the blog/journal - To give women, and of course men, the information I couldn't find easily... in readable format. I want to give some hope and if I manage to stop one person from reading the horror stories first like I did... then I've accomplished what I need.
I hope you bookmark or subscribe and follow this journey with me.
Feel free to comment and add your own experiences, and lets make this a blog full of useful, useable and friendly information.