| Thyroid problems and pregnancy | 369.000000000000 | Thyroid problems and pregnancy | Thyroid problems and pregnancy | T | English | Pregnancy | Adult (19+) | Body | Reproductive system | Conditions and diseases | Prenatal
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2009-09-11T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 11.3000000000000 | 43.7000000000000 | 712.000000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>Learn about the effects and treatment of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism during pregnancy. Trusted answers from Canadian Paediatric Hospitals.</p> | <p>Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are conditions of the thyroid gland. Both conditions can cause risks during pregnancy but most women will still have a healthy pregnancy if the conditions are properly managed.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul><li>Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not secrete enough thyroid hormone, causing weight gain, intellectual slowness and insomnia.</li>
<li>Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland secretes too much thyroid hormone, causing tremor, insomnia, high blood pressure and thyroid enlargement.</li>
<li>Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are both treated with specific drugs during pregnancy and women are tested and monitored for complications.</li></ul> | <p>The thyroid gland is located in the middle of your lower neck, and it is responsible for secreting the thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone regulates the rate at which your body carries out various functions. </p><p>Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not secrete enough thyroid hormone. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, hair loss, and cold intolerance. As the disorder progresses, it can cause weight gain, intellectual slowness, and insomnia. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to coma. </p>
<p>Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland secretes too much thyroid hormone. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism include tremor, nervousness, insomnia, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute, high blood pressure, and an enlargement of the thyroid gland called goiter. </p>
<p>Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are diagnosed with blood tests to check for levels of certain hormones such as the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). </p>
<h2>Hypothyroidism in pregnancy</h2>
<p>In the developed world, hypothyroidism is usually caused by an autoimmune condition of the thyroid called Hashimoto’s disease, which is also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In the rest of the world, hypothyroidism is most often caused by a deficiency of iodine. </p>
<p>If hypothyroidism is left untreated or inadequately treated in pregnancy, the risk of certain complications may increase, such as: </p>
<ul>
<li>fetal growth restriction </li>
<li>low birth weight </li>
<li>intellectual disability in the baby </li></ul>
<p>Newborn babies are screened for congenital hypothyroidism in certain areas throughout the developed world. If the baby is diagnosed and treated for the condition within the first few weeks of life, they should have nearly normal intelligence and growth. </p>
<p>Hypothyroidism in pregnant women is treated with a drug called <a href="/Article?contentid=174&language=English">levothyroxine</a>. The dosage of the drug is adjusted to bring the level of TSH to normal. The dose may need to be adjusted every month or so, to keep the TSH level stable. The TSH level may be checked with more blood tests every trimester. </p>
<h2>Hyperthyroidism in pregnancy</h2>
<p>Hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is usually caused by an autoimmune condition called Graves disease. This disease and its treatment can increase the risks to the unborn baby and newborn. For example, the condition can result in problems with the heart or thyroid gland in the unborn baby, and may also affect the baby’s growth during pregnancy. Pregnant women with hyperthyroidism are at higher risk of miscarriage, high blood pressure, and premature birth. The baby is at risk for low birth weight and heart failure.</p>
<p>Hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is treated with drugs to reduce the levels of thyroid hormone to an acceptable level. These medications may have certain side effects such as reducing the number of white blood cells, in which case the medication would need to be discontinued. One drug that is used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy is called <a href="/Article?contentid=226&language=English">propylthiouracil (PTU)</a>. Women taking this drug require monitoring with examinations and blood tests so that the dosing can be adjusted if necessary. If the woman does not respond to drug therapy, they may need to have her thyroid gland surgically removed. </p>
<p>During pregnancy, the unborn baby should be monitored to make sure they have a normal heart rate and growth pattern.</p>
<p>One per cent of pregnant women who have hyperthyroidism may experience a serious condition called thyroid storm. In this condition, the symptoms of hyperthyroidism become severe and there is a high risk of heart failure in the mother. If you develop thyroid storm, proceed immediately to the nearest emergency department. Thyroid storm is treated with medication. Your unborn baby will need to be monitored using ultrasound or a non-stress test to make sure that everything is all right. </p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/thyroid_problems_and_pregnancy.jpg | | | | | | | Thyroid problems and pregnancy | | False | | | | | | | | |
