I currently take 88 mcg of Levoxyl, which is essentially synthetic thyroid hormone because my body doesn't produce enough. It is a common condition in women, called Hypothyroidism. I have always been told by doctors that I will continue to take this medication throughout my life, including during pregnancy -- and they will have to closely monitor my levels because I may actually need a higher dose while pregnant.
Well, I am now 5 weeks pregnant, and just hung up the phone with my OB's office, who claims I should stop taking the medication immediately due to risk of severe retardation. I cannot believe this! I would have stopped taking the medication BEFORE getting pregnant if I knew this was the case. But this is the complete opposite of what I have been told by doctors previously. In addition, online research shows Levoxyl is indeed an "A" rated drug and safe during pregnancy. I am totally at a loss.
So my question is....has anyone out there dealt with Hypothyroidism during pregnancy, and specifically, did you take medication for Hypothyroidism while pregnant? If so, were you told of any risks? What were your outcomes? I'd appreciate anyone who has stories to offer. Thank you.
I cannot thank all of you enough. You all helped me keep my sanity and stay calm and rational the past 24 hours. I really think I would've lost it without all of your wonderful responses. Thank you for taking the time to share your stories.
Here's what happened....I was able to get a hold of my OB today, even though it is Saturday. Turns out she was the doc on call for her practice today. When she finally called me back, she knew right away why I was upset. She said her staff had gotten things backwards and gave me the incorrect information!!! So, she confirmed what I suspected all along, and what all of you backed up...that I am supposed to stay on the medication. If I did NOT take the meds, then there would be developmental risks. Thanks to all of you, I took my pill this morning before hearing from the doc, and I'm so glad I did. I cannot thank you all enough.
Now I'm debating whether or not to stay with this OB since her staff made such an egregious error. As of yesterday, they were telling me to come right in on Monday to "confirm the pregnancy" and to allow me to ask the doctor some questions. I could have read it wrong, but I sort of got the vibe from the staffer that I might want to talk to the doc about terminating the pregnancy. I still can't believe all of this happened. Thoughts?
Oh Yikes, where did this doc get his degree?? Out of a cracker jack box?? I work for a testing laboratory and my OB clients with patients on Levoxyl monitor their levels. Please consider another practice if this is an indication of what is to come.
Reccommended to me by La Leche, Dr. Hale from Texas Tech University has an InfantRisk Center Hotline with amazing knowlege on meds and pregnancy and breasfeeding that have been a life saver for me. Call ###-###-#### M~F Central Time. The website (type InfantRisk Center) has a large amount of information as well.
I had to have my thyroid 75% removed in my mid-twenties. I took Synthroid at first, and have been on the generic Levoxyl for years.
I had 3 children in my 30's.
During each pregnancy my OB (for the 1st) and midwife (for the 2nd and 3rd) drew blood monthly to monitor my thyroid levels. The worked with my endocrinologist (sending him the lab results monthly) so that he was aware of my levels throughout my pregnancy.
My 3 children are 6, 4 and 2. They are all perfectly healthy and normal. I was told that the risk was if my thyroid levels were off - that could cause birth defects and problems, that's why they monitor you so closely.
Perhaps your doctor misunderstood you - or made an error.
My experience is Levoxyl is perfectly safe. Your body NEEDS IT during pregnancy to PREVENT problems.
*** UPDATE*** if you are uncomfortable with your OB, you can switch doctors any time during your pregnancy. Literally, anytime! Go ahead and meet with her and see how the first meeting goes. Ask as many questions as you can. Decide from there. It seems like I went in early for blood tests in part to check my thyroid levels (it's been almost 4 years since I had an intitial prenatal check so I could be wrong). I'd go ahead and keep your appointment.
Jessica
Retardation? That sounds... retarded. I took Levoxyl throughout my pregnancy and my daughter is amazing. She was born two months premature but that's because I became preeclamptic and had nothing to do with my thyroid medication. Even with the premature birth she's smart as a whip and twice as cheeky. She's a picky eater but, nobody's perfect. ;)
Dear K.,
Please don't stop taking Levothyroxine!!! If you do, then you will have a child with mental retardation!!! Your levels must be monitored reqularly and frequently because as you had written before, your levels drop during pregnancy, so you need a slightly higher dosage.
I work with developmentally delayed clients, and there are a few cases where it has been proven that their MR (mental retardation) was caused by mother's low level of thyroid hormones during pregnancy!! If you understoon the nurse correctly, RUN from that doctor!!!
Not only is your thyroid medication safe to take, it's important for proper development of your child.
Seriously, I'd switch doctors now because any doctor who got this backwards is a danger to you and your baby.
http://www.medicinenet.com/hypothyroidism_during_pregnanc...
Additional:
Ok, this doctors staff has not got a good track record and they've lost all credibility at this point.
Verify the pregnancy then a vibe about terminating it?
There is something very wrong about this doctors office.
Please fire this doctor and get ANYONE else.
CHANGE YOUR DOCTOR AND GO BACK ON YOUR MEDICATION NOW!!!!!!!! No way is this new doc right...I'm so angry trying this post(bc of how dumb this doctor is should not be able to practice medicine I swear) I've been taking it for 5 years, 100 mc, got hypothyroidism after my first pregnancy, and was told that its very important that I continue to take it and be closely monitored in case they need to change the dosage during my pregnancy. Are you sure you weren't told to make
sure you DONT stop taking it other wise it will lead to problems? Please please go back on it now and change your doctor! Oh, my second child... I was on it the whole time during my pregnancy and have a perfect amazing smart son :)
I have hypothyroidism and am currently 5 months pregnant. I still take the medication and was advised to do so by every doctor including my endocrinologist and Ob. Your levels should be checked every 6-8 weeks while pregnant. I believe at some point I was told some minor risks but don't even remember exactly what they were because the risks of not taking the medication was worse. My endocrinologist did say that if your thyroid levels drop too low while pregnant then it is likely your baby will have a lower IQ but not actually mental retardation. That would onlyhappen if you dont take your medicatio. I would say get a different doctor.
I have been on Levoxyl for over 10 years for Hypothyroidism and did take it (safely) during pregnancy. I was monitored too, because your levels may change during the course of your pregnancy, because being pregnant comes with a fluctuation of all sorts of hormones, and keeping your thyroid in check is very important. What a crazy notion that your OB would say such a thing. Levoxyl is a hormone replacement, it replaces the same hormone our bodies make naturally, and you need it! I would seriously consider another OB, if that's possible. Yeesh, still can't believe they said that.
DO NOT STOP TAKING YOUR LEVOTHYROXIN!!!!
Whoever you talked to has it backwards and you need to speak to your OB because someone in their office is giving out wrong information.
NOT taking thyroid medication endangers the development of the fetus. The thyroid regulates every cell in your body - and if your body can't make they hormone, you have to get it from medication.
I have hypothyroidism - it was at 88mcg before I was pregnant. I needed to be tested every 2-3 months for the levels, and my intake had to be raised to 124mcg to stay in the normal zone.
I am on the same medication and the same dosage! My son is now 1 and I took it my whole pregnancy. My ob told me it is dangerous to not be on it while pregnant! My son is healthy and they never needed to change my dosage while I was pregnant. I would continue to take it and maybe see another ob. Your body needs it. I have been on it for 2 years now and have my levels checked about every 6 months. Hope this helps ease your mind!
What?? That is bizarre. Levoxyl only replaces/adds to a hormone that is already in your body. I take your same dose.
Don't worry. And maybe you should get a new doctor.
I took 88mcg as well, all through pregnancy. And my daughter is a three year old genius ;)
I never had to increase the dose, and it kept me from gaining too much weight during that pregnancy, as I started a bit overweight. Pregnancy seemed to help my hypothyroidism, actually! And exactly, it's when you DON'T take it during pregnancy that it can cause problems for the baby's development.
Show her your findings and talk to your endo, then present all of this to the OB and ask why they said that!
Was it your OB's office staff or your actual OB that told you to stop taking it? Levoxyl is a category A drug. I would not stop taking it, and would seek a second opinion if it came from your OB. If it was just an office staff person I would leave a message for the actual doctor to call you. Then let her know that her office staff is acting in a role of a MD which is NOT right. I haven't heard of any new studies that suggest it causes abnormalities but if your doc has I would ask her to show you those. You will need to be monitored more closely because the effectiveness can change because of the pregnancy. Also, learn the signs and symptoms of over and under active thyroid. It is important to keep it relatively in check because it can cause problems to have an under-active thyroid during pregnancy.
I've been on levothyroxine and never stopped through pregnancies. Neither of my kids have severe retardation (which is a developmental condition). I advise you to always speak with the doctor, not the staff (who shouldn't be advising you over the telephone and may be overstepping their scope of practice). I hope you're aren't too worried and if you're concern consult your endocrinologist. All the best through your pregnancy.
I had my thyroid removed when my first son was 6 months old. I took levothroxine (.112 mg) my entire pregnancy with my second son and he is perfect! My endocrinologist watched me very carefully and made adjustments when needed. Don't just stop taking your meds. Call both doctor offices (ob and endo) and leave a message for the Dr to call you back - not a nurse. You'll feel better getting info directly from your dr.
Hopefully, you are being seen by an endocrinologist. S/he could probably better advise you than an oby/gen.
This med is safe during pregnancy. Ask your ob why she thinks its unsafe and show her the documentation supporting you taking it. GL
endocrine-system.emedtv.com/levothyroxine/levothyroxine... - Cached
Hi~
I took synthroid and then switched to levoxyl while I was pregnant with my twins for hypothrodism. My infertility doctor was the one who prescribed it. I was told that taking the medicine would be better for me to help me regulate my levels. I felt confident in my doctor and believed in what he had to say was true.
Fast forward almost 10 YEARS! I have two happy, healthy, cute, and intelligent children. We just got back their ISAT scores from last year and they did marvelous!! Yes, they were born early, but I DO NOT blame that on the drug I took for my hypothroidism. I also began regulating within the normal TSH levels over 2 yrs. ago, so since then I've been off the meds for hypothrodism. (I just fast every 6 months and then go in to have bloodwork done.) Well....I just had to respond to tell you that with my case, there definately was NO retardation what so ever.
NO NO NO! Do not stop taking it. Who ever told you that is wrong. My daughter is 3 1/2 going on 23. LOL!!! I took it during both my pregnancys and both of my kids are just fine. I am on 88mcg also. They tested my tsh levels every 3 months instead of 6. Do not let them scare you. I have a friend that stopped taking the meds while she was pregnant and she had so many problems. She was sick all the time, he hair fell out in clumps, her neck swelled, she was a mess. If they insist you stop then I suggest you find another dr. The baby draws from your tbyroid and if its not working properly then it can cause some problems for you and the baby. Once again DONT DO IT! Best of luck to you and congrats on your little one :-)
I don't think many doctors offices are used to dealing with hypothyroidism during pregnancy. My first doctor didn't realize that the pills came in a dose as high as I was taking. I changed doctors for my next pregnancy. He mis-read my chart and meant to increase my does, but instead decreased it. I'm still upset with myself because I told the person that called to tell me to pick up my new rx that it should be increased, but she convinced me I was wrong. So I was on a lower dose for about 2 weeks than I should have been. I talked to my regular OB and my high risk OB and they both said that as long as I was taking the medicine the baby would take what it needed and I would get what was left. My son was born fine. He does seem slightly slower than other kids his age and has a speech delay. Not sure if it's related to the rx problem or not. Good luck and keep taking your medicine.
It sounds odd to me. I took Levoxyl during my both pregnancies because I have hypothyroidism. My doctor at that time told me it was safe and I shouldn't stop taking it. Nothing happens and my boys are very healthy.
