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What Causes Elevated TSH Levels During 17 Weeks Pregnancy?
Brief Answer:
Any adverse effect to baby is not likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
It is normal for the TSH levels to fluctuate during pregnancy. In pregnancy, the protein levels are altered and hence the thyroid function is measured by TSH, free T3 and free T4 values. T3 and T4 do not give the correct picture as they are protein bound and hence levels are altered.
Your TSH levels are mildly elevated and after 14 weeks, the fetus is likely to produce some of its own thyroxine. So, it is not likely that your baby is affected.
Your TSH and free T4 levels should be repeated after 2 weeks of starting levothyroxine; the two weekly test to be repeated and dose adjusted till the TSH and FT4 levels are normal for that trimester of pregnancy. When the levels become normal, the tests are to be repeated monthly till delivery.
Special attention should be given during delivery and especially if there is a caesarean section, as TSH and FT4 levels effect the anesthetic drugs.
After the childbirth, TSH and FT4 levels should be repeated 6 weeks and 6 months after delivery and dose has to be adjusted accordingly.
Urgent treatment should be initiated now as the fetus is dependent on mother for its thyroid hormone in first 3 months, and decreased levels can lead to adverse consequences.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL XXXX
Any adverse effect to baby is not likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
It is normal for the TSH levels to fluctuate during pregnancy. In pregnancy, the protein levels are altered and hence the thyroid function is measured by TSH, free T3 and free T4 values. T3 and T4 do not give the correct picture as they are protein bound and hence levels are altered.
Your TSH levels are mildly elevated and after 14 weeks, the fetus is likely to produce some of its own thyroxine. So, it is not likely that your baby is affected.
Your TSH and free T4 levels should be repeated after 2 weeks of starting levothyroxine; the two weekly test to be repeated and dose adjusted till the TSH and FT4 levels are normal for that trimester of pregnancy. When the levels become normal, the tests are to be repeated monthly till delivery.
Special attention should be given during delivery and especially if there is a caesarean section, as TSH and FT4 levels effect the anesthetic drugs.
After the childbirth, TSH and FT4 levels should be repeated 6 weeks and 6 months after delivery and dose has to be adjusted accordingly.
Urgent treatment should be initiated now as the fetus is dependent on mother for its thyroid hormone in first 3 months, and decreased levels can lead to adverse consequences.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL XXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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