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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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13 Weeks Pregnant, TSH Level Is 4.38. Will This Affect The Baby ?

Hi, My wife is 13 weeks pregnant, her Tsh level in first round of blood test was 4.4, therefore the doctor asked us to get complete test done, her reports are Free t3 -3.51 Free t4 - 1.35 Serum TSH 4.38 antithyroglobulin - anti-tg - 46.35 Antithyroid peroxidase 10.43 all the reports seem normal other than tsh, is there anything to worry about? would high tsh affect the baby in anyway?
Fri, 9 Nov 2012
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OBGYN,  's  Response
Hello there.

Thanks for writing.

Yes, raised TSH suggests uncontrolled hypothyroidism which would definitely have an impact on your baby and pregnancy outcome.

It can lead to miscarriage, still birth, death of baby in uterus, growth restriction, mental retardation and low IQ of the baby.
Also difficult labor and prolonged bleeding are seen in untreated cases of hypothyroidism.

Inorder to ensure safe pregnancy outcome you have to start thyroxine replacements to normalize your TSH levels. Consult an endocrinologist for the required dose and drug.

4-6 weekly monitoring of TSH levels is required once you start the treatment.

In pregnancy the TSH levels have to be kept below 2.5 mU/L in first 3 months and then below 3 mU/L in later pregnancy.

Thyroxine replacement drugs like thyronorm are safe to use in pregnancy. So you need not worry about the harm caused by the drugs to the baby.

Take care.
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13 Weeks Pregnant, TSH Level Is 4.38. Will This Affect The Baby ?

Hello there. Thanks for writing. Yes, raised TSH suggests uncontrolled hypothyroidism which would definitely have an impact on your baby and pregnancy outcome. It can lead to miscarriage, still birth, death of baby in uterus, growth restriction, mental retardation and low IQ of the baby. Also difficult labor and prolonged bleeding are seen in untreated cases of hypothyroidism. Inorder to ensure safe pregnancy outcome you have to start thyroxine replacements to normalize your TSH levels. Consult an endocrinologist for the required dose and drug. 4-6 weekly monitoring of TSH levels is required once you start the treatment. In pregnancy the TSH levels have to be kept below 2.5 mU/L in first 3 months and then below 3 mU/L in later pregnancy. Thyroxine replacement drugs like thyronorm are safe to use in pregnancy. So you need not worry about the harm caused by the drugs to the baby. Take care.