Monday, October 26, 2009

I went in today for my appointments. Bright and early at 830am. The ECHO was done and the results were normal. My heart looks healthy although it is working hard.

After the ECHO was complete Dr. Krishna came into the office and told me that my blood results were in and they were as he had suspected. All of my Thyroid levels were more than double what they were supposed to be. This means that I do, unfortunately, have Hyperthyroidism.

He wanted to get me started right away on a Thyroid Inhibitor PTU, as well as a BetaBlocker to help bring my heartrate down. This news was distressing, because after working so hard to not be taking any extra medications during this time, here I am getting put on two. The PTU I was fine with, I had researched it over the weekend and knew that it was safe during pregnancy. The BetaBlocker on the other hand, I wasn't so sure of. I wanted to get a second opinion on it before I started it, because it was contraindictated in pregnancy. After a long ordeal, I received the RX's from Dr. Krishna, and made my way to my Thyroid Ultrasound. I wasn't going to start taking the medications until I had heard from my Midwives that it was safe.

I waited forever to get in for the Ultrasound, and when I finally did I was done in 15 minutes. GO FIGURE!
The Ultrasound tech would tell me nothing, apparantely they will be fired if they discuss results. So I had to wait to hear from Dr. Krishna.

I went home and tried to get some sleep since I had to work this evening. I was woken up by a few things. One was a call from my Midwife. PTL! She also reviewed the medications that were prescribed to me and said that the benefits outweigh the risks and that I should start both medications asap to keep the baby safe.  With that said, I decided to fill the prescriptions and get started with the treatment. My midwife also said that she would like me to see a high risk perinatoligist. That way someone who specializes in pregnancies of this nature can make sure that everything is fine, including the meds that I am on. I agreed and am waiting to hear back as to when my appt with that doctor is.

The second call was from Dr. Krishna. He said that he viewed my thyroid ultrasound and that there were no nodules or cysts found. He said that it was a little enlarged, but nothing too great. I have to follow up with him in 4 weeks to check my Thyroid levels and make sure that they are appropriate.

So as of yesterday now, I have started my PTU and my BetaBlocker. I am excited to see the changes in my everyday life, but those changes more than likely will not become evident until I have been on the treatment for a month or so. I am however, nervous for the baby. Dr. Krishna said that the baby's thyroid will have to be checked via ultrasound in a couple of months, and once again after delivery. The baby could have Hyperthyroidism because I have it. There are a variety of other concerns regarding pregnant mothers with this disease, I am hoping that I have started treatment early enough to have bypassed these risks. By God's grace alone.

I ask all of you to join with me in prayer to lift up this baby that God has blessed us with. This baby is already a miracle just for being here in the first place. Hyperthyroidism plays a large role in mothers being infertile, which is why I suppose it may have taken so long for this little peanut to arrive. Dan and I are so very blessed to be entrusted with this little baby, and I want to do everything possible to protect this little one. Please pray that the baby is healthy, that God has and is protecting (s)he from any risks that could have been or will be a possibility. Also, that the baby will be born as a FULL TERM HEALTHY bouncing baby. (Well the bouncing part isnt quite as important I guess.) God is great, and He is faithful.

I'll leave you with what Dan left me today as I went to sleep.

"He will have no fear of bad news; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord" Psalm 112:7