OP - My gyn specializes in womens hormone issues, specifically thyroid disorders and hypothyroidism. My general impression of endos is that they're more hassle than they're worth, esp when I'm getting care that gets results from my gyn. Thank you for the rec on Washington endocrine clinic. If the next OB won't prescribe armour I'll try there.

I would definitely see an endo.
Dr. West and other doctors at the Washington Endocrine clinic are willing to prescribe armour. I am happy with synthroid but they are open to other medicines if synthroid isn't working

Anonymous wrote:PP- OP here. Thank you so much for your post. I really appreciate it. One of the primary reasons I'm not going back to the first OB I consulted with was that he suggested switching me to levothyroxine during pregnancy. It's scary how poor care for thyroid disorders can be. I also believe that there is really no effective treatment for the autoimmune response underlying the thyroid dysfunction. I really wish there was. I will say in the 3 years I've been on Armour I've managed to get my free T3, free T4, and TSH stabilized within normal range and my TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies have dropped considerably (TPO down to 64 from a high of 266 in 2012). My gyn who prescribes Armour won't treat while I'm pregnant. I've been ordering regular (self pay) complete thyroid panels from mymedlab (when are we going to get beyond Drs only concerned w TSH?) but I will need to refill my Armour prescription soon. Fingers crossed I can find an OB who's on board. If you gave any recs for a source I'm all ears. Thanks again.

Are you not seeing an endocrinologist ?

PP- OP here. Thank you so much for your post. I really appreciate it. One of the primary reasons I'm not going back to the first OB I consulted with was that he suggested switching me to levothyroxine during pregnancy. It's scary how poor care for thyroid disorders can be. I also believe that there is really no effective treatment for the autoimmune response underlying the thyroid dysfunction. I really wish there was. I will say in the 3 years I've been on Armour I've managed to get my free T3, free T4, and TSH stabilized within normal range and my TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies have dropped considerably (TPO down to 64 from a high of 266 in 2012). My gyn who prescribes Armour won't treat while I'm pregnant. I've been ordering regular (self pay) complete thyroid panels from mymedlab (when are we going to get beyond Drs only concerned w TSH?) but I will need to refill my Armour prescription soon. Fingers crossed I can find an OB who's on board. If you gave any recs for a source I'm all ears. Thanks again.

OP, while pregnant you shouldn't switch thyroid medications; there can be an adjustment period -- now is the time you want stability. Keep getting levels checked, of course, to see if you need dose adjusted. (This is exactly what my midwife -- who diagnosed my Hashimoto's -- told me.) During my healthy pregnancy, TPOs were around 400.

Selenium supposedly can be helpful, but has not done a thing for me in 2+ years. If you have the opportunity, I would see a naturopathic doctor who has combined experience in Hashimoto's, pregnancy health, supplementation. No one I've seen has found a way to lower my antibodies (TPOs are >6,000 now) despite dietary adjustments, supplementation, medication adjustments, etc. My TPOs and TSH increase during pregnancy and during IVF stims; each time, the most immediate way to alleviate the resulting TSH-spike symptoms is to increase meds. Levothyroxine has worked well for me. TPOs have never stopped going up; the endo I've seen has zero concern about the antibodies, my RE was only concerned about TSH, my midwife and ND were the most helpful and proactive.

It will probably depend on your numbers but I know some doctors will treat with prednisone in order to minimize potential complications.

I took synthroid. Was induced at 41 weeks (accurate date since it was iui). We don't test antibodies.

It is hard to find an endo who will prescribe armour. Whom do you see?

My doctor has started testing antibodies but only to see how they are during pregnancy (I think he's curious more than anything). I previously took Synthroid for 15 years and switched to Armour in July. I like it so much better! Not only did I get a BFP within two months of switching to Armour, I generally felt better. I guess my body needs the T3 supplement.

Hmm, I have Hashimotos and never had antibodies tested either. Never heard of Armour, and Synthroid has worked beautifully for me so I would not supplement with anything else. My Doctor monitors me every 6 weeks or so and all is well.

I have had 4 healthy babies with hashimoto's. With the 1st 2 I was taking Armour, second 2 was taking synthroid. Like PP, my medication was adjusted during pregnancy but I don't believe they even checked antibodies.

Anonymous wrote:PP here. No antibody counts. Only my TSH was T3 & T4 levels were monitored.

Same for me. Both kids are healthy. My Synthroid dose was adjusted throughout the pregnancy, but antibodies weren't checked.

PP here. No antibody counts. Only my TSH was T3 & T4 levels were monitored.

PP - OP here. That is lucky and I'm glad you had such a positive result w your daughter. Did your OB/endocrinologist monitor any thyroid levels apart from TSH, specifically your TPO antibody counts?

I have Hashi's and carried my daughter to 37 w (we induced for medical reasons). I only took Synthroid and she is fine.

I'm 11 weeks and change w #1 after a few rounds of IVF w PGS. I've got my Hashi's under control as far as TSH/T4 goes but my TPO antibodies count has continued to rise over the past few years. I've been reading some rather concerning journal articles (always a good idea, I know) about TPO antibodies crossing the placenta and creating a host of developmental issues for the fetus and potential threats to the pregnancy in the third trimester. If anyone has carried a healthy baby to term w Hashi's, what were your TPO anti counts like and what were you taking for thyroid supplements? I'm on Armour now (I'm firm believer that mere T4/synthroid is not enough) and have heard good things about Naturethroid. I've been reading about selenium supplements but haven't found anything reliable and conclusive. I had a a first OB consult on 12/21 w a dr. I won't likely return to. Consult w option 2 OB on 1/11. Thank you!