Your thyroid and pregnancy

Commented by 0 Member   View Comments

Article Summary

Few women suffer from thyroid problems in pregnancy but it's useful to know the symptoms.

Your thyroid gland, which is located in the front of your neck, is important for regulating your metabolism, the rate at which your body uses energy. If it is malfunctioning, the result may be a condition called hypothyroidism, caused by under activity of the gland, or hyperthyroidism, caused by over activity. 

Fortunately, few pregnant women suffer from either form of thyroid imbalance: About 6 out of 1000 pregnant women develop hyperthyroidism, and about 2 out of 1000 have hypothyroidism. Still, all pregnant women should know the symptoms, since a thyroid disorder can dramatically affect a pregnancy. Here's what you should know.

Hypothyroidism

Hyperthyroidism

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism has received some press attention lately. A study published in the United States in 1999, found that women who had under active thyroid glands during pregnancy were four times as likely as women with normal thyroids to have children with low IQ scores. This finding is important, for doctors can treat hypothyroid problems if they are diagnosed early. 

Your doctor can determine your thyroid function with a simple blood test. She probably won't test you, however, unless you're experiencing symptoms of an imbalance. Let her know if you have any of these signs: 

 Fatigue
 Unexpected amount of weight gain
 Dry skin
 Cold intolerance
 Muscle weakness

Of course, some of these symptoms are a normal part of pregnancy, which is why a thyroid condition is not always recognised, but you have nothing to lose by having a test. If the test comes back showing a low level of thyroid hormone, your provider will give you hormone supplements in a pill form. She'll continue to test you throughout your pregnancy and afterward, to determine how long you'll need to take the supplements. 

Hyperthyroidism

An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) can also cause problems during pregnancy: Pregnant women with this condition have a greater chance of giving birth to a low-birth-weight baby. They also have a greater risk of other problems, such as pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia, also known as toxemia, is a disease of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure, sudden weight gain, and retention of large amounts of fluid. 

The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

 Heat intolerance
 Warm skin
 Sweating
 Trembling
 Weight loss
 Rapid pulse

Your doctor can diagnose hyperthyroidism with a blood test and prescribe medication to correct the problem. Both types of thyroid problems may also occur following a pregnancy, so if you develop the symptoms of either condition after giving birth, contact your doctor.

Category Tags:

Symptoms

,

Complications

Article Tags:

weight gain

,

fatigue

,

weight loss

,

thyroid disorders