What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition marked by an underactive thyroid gland and may be present during pregnancy. Many symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to pregnancy symptoms. For example, fatigue, weight gain, and abnormal menstruation are common to both.
Hypothyroidism during Pregnancy
Hyperthyroidism Risks such as preterm labor High blood pressure increases pregnancy toxicity, abortion and postpartum hemorrhage. If hypothyroidism is not diagnosed early in pregnancy, it has a negative effect on IQ and impairs the growth of the baby’s brain. Particularly during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the growth of the brain is completely dependent on the mother’s throat hormone, after which the hormone is produced in the body of the fetus.
Hypothyroidism treatment during pregnancy
For a woman being treated for hypothyroidism, it’s imperative to have her thyroid checked as soon as the pregnancy is detected so that medication levels may be adjusted. Although thyroid hormone requirements are likely to increase throughout the pregnancy, they tend to eventually stabilize by the middle of pregnancy. Levothyroxine sodium pills are completely safe for use during pregnancy. They will be prescribed in dosages that are aimed at replacing the thyroid hormone the thyroid isn’t making so that the TSH level is kept within normal ranges. Once it is consistently in the normal range, the doctor will check TSH levels every six weeks or so. The physician may also counsel patients to take their thyroid hormone pills at least one-half hour to one hour before or at least four hours after eating or taking iron-containing prenatal vitamins and calcium supplements, which can interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormone.
Hypothyroidism after Pregnancy
It is essential to continue the treatment process after delivery. It’s best to know that 5 to 10 percent of women with hypothyroidism postpartum. And since its symptoms are similar to postpartum depression, it is not easy to diagnose and consult a specialist doctor.
Reference:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/endocrinology/hypothyroidism_and_pregnancy_85,P00426
http://thyroidawareness.com/the-thyroid-and-pregnancy
