Hashimoto's disease - antibody transfer to baby

I'm new to the forum and currently 18 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child but first with Hashimoto's disease a autoimmune thyroid disease. At my 16 week check up with my Obstetrician she mentions that my antibodies (thyroid antibodies) can cross the placenta and affect my unborn baby. I struggle to find relevant information regarding this on the web and still has a week or 2 before i see my Endocrinologist. Are there any other mom's with thyroid disease (hypothyroidism) or someone that has some information.

Thanks and all the best to every one falling pregnant and being pregnant

Hi there

I don't know much about the antibodies - but I do have Hypothyroidism - what I have done so far is have my levels monitored every 6 weeks and meds adjusted accordingly - from what I understand as long as your levels are good there is little risk to the child - and in all honesty I'd much prefer to keep that head space ;)

My levels have so far (knock on wood) been great - I have had to increase my meds once so far and last week they have been increased again only because as you move towards the finish line your thyroid goes into overdrive and my Endo is of the understanding that we should just help it along.

I asked him about any risks or concerns that I should have and he has assured me as long as the levels are all good there will be no additional risks posed to the baby.

Good Luck - have a chat with your Endo I'm sure he/she will be able to explain it better

Thank you for your reply - will just have to wait until i see my Endo. My levels have been very good from the beginning - so i'm happy with that but i asked my Endo about any risk to the baby the last visit and she only mentioned that if it's a girl she might have thyroid problems in her 20ies. She never mentioned anything regarding the antibody transfer to the little one - all i can think is that it's not that common. All the best for your pregnancy

Hi i have hashimotos aswell. Am currently awaiting for my caesar date to arrive (2 more weeks) my endocrinologist said to me.. that basically in (i think) the first 12 weeks your levels need to be kept an eye on and that is usually the stage when med levels are adjusted....my med levels were not adjusted at all and i have stayed on the same dosgae throughout my pregnancy. Hope this helps.

Thank you for everyone's reply - sorry if i had you also stressed out. I saw my endocrinologist today ( 2 weeks was a long wait) and said that she thinks the obstetrician got confused with Graves disease - apparently there is a problem with antibody transfer to the baby over the placenta. But with Hashimoto's as long as your levels are within the normal range things will be fine. So i'm more relaxed now. I'm 19 weeks today and my TSH is 0.4 im feeling great and she is happy with everything :D

All the best with your pregnancy and birth just around the corner.