Pregnancy is a time when the woman needs to maintain perfect health condition, as staying disease free will help in the proper foetal growth and development.
Hence, the need to screen for various diseases so that
we can manage the health issues timely before any complications arise because
of them.
One of such problems is thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy.
Dealing
with thyroid dysfunction timely and adequately will prevent premature labour
and lead to better neurological development of a foetus leading to healthy and
intelligent babies.
What is thyroid hormone?
Thyroid hormone is secreted by a gland located in center of neck just below your Adam’s apple. This hormone is required for optimum functioning of all body parts including your muscles, stomach, bone, heart and brain.
What are common thyroid diseases and what are the common symptoms for same?
When thyroid gland produces less than desired levels of thyroid hormones, it is considered to be underactive or “hypothyroidism” and when it is over-producing then we call it “Hyperthyroidism”. Both of these states are harmful for baby as well as mother. Both of these states have distinct symptoms:
Hypothyroidism
|
Hyperthyroidism
|
|
|
What are the risk
factors for developing thyroid disease?
1. A family history of thyroid or autoimmune disease
2. Type
1 diabetes or other autoimmune disease
3. Prior
radiation treatment of the head or neck
4. Past
thyroid surgery
5. Thyroid
antibodies, mainly thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, which are often present
in Hashimoto’s
disease
6. Past
infertility or preterm delivery
7. A
goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland)
When should I get
myself tested for thyroid disease?
Every woman who is planning pregnancy should get herself
tested for thyroid disease beforehand and in case of unplanned pregnancy,
thyroid testing should be recommended at first visit to gynecologist.
The reason for such liberal recommendation is two- fold.
Firstly, it is an easily treatable disease and secondly, treatment is cheap and
generally has no associated side-effects.
How are thyroid
disorders detected?
To detect thyroid disorders, your doctor does a physical
exam and orders blood tests to
measure your thyroid hormone levels.
In the blood tests, main conclusion is drawn from a test
called serum TSH. Interpretation of TSH values requires understanding of normal
physiology of thyroid gland.
How do I treat my thyroid problems in pregnancy?
In pregnancy, you need to start some medications for both types of thyroid diseases, in consultation with your endocrinologist.
Treatment of hypothyroidism involves replacement with tyroid
hormone i.e. T4. This hormone has been prepared with recombinant technology and
is exactly same as is being produced inside your own thyroid gland.
For hyperthyroidism, drugs are given to suppress your
thyroid gland from producing more thyroid hormone.
Why is it so
necessary to take treatment for thyroid problems in pregnancy?
Maternal hypothyroidism poses a risk for both mother and
baby, if left untreated. A pregnant woman’s thyroid hormones are vital not only
for her but also for the development of her baby. Pregnant women with
uncontrolled hypothyroidism can get high blood pressure, anemia (low red blood
cell count), and muscle pain and weakness. There is also an increased risk of
miscarriage, premature birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), or even
stillbirth.
Pregnant women with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism may develop
high blood pressure.
There is also an increased risk of miscarriage, premature
birth, and having a baby with a low birth weight.
Is there anything to
worry?
No, there is nothing to worry. If treated well, thyroid
diseases pose no risk to mother or child. So, importance of screening for
thyroid disease in pregnancy cannot be over-emphasized.
Contributed By:
Dr Rajiv Singla
Consultant Endocrinology
MD, DM - Endocrinology & Metabolism.
At KVSC, we believe in providing you updated, ethical and evidence based care to you. We invite your valued feedback.
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