Thyroid Conditions During Pregnancy

Did you know that in India, approximately 11% of pregnant women experience hypothyroidism? This condition, if left undiagnosed, can affect fertility and lead to complications during pregnancy. Thyroid disorders are common among expectant mothers, prompting the question: can thyroid abnormalities impair a baby's development?

The answer is yes, and expectant moms should take extra precautions to ensure that their thyroid levels are maintained while pregnant. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, the two most common thyroid diseases, are strongly related to a variety of pregnancy and delivery problems. 

Fortunately, with early diagnosis and treatment, you can take drugs to manage your thyroid during pregnancy without endangering your baby. Read on to learn more about these illnesses, how they affect your kid, and how to address the symptoms.

Thyroid and its Condition Types During Pregnancy?

The thyroid gland is situated on the front of your neck and wraps around the front of your windpipe in a butterfly-like form. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that keep your body functioning properly. It controls your body's metabolism rate, muscle control, brain growth, bone maintenance, and cardiac and digestive functions. 

There are two primary types of thyroid during pregnancy:

• Hyperthyroidism ("hyper" implies excessive): This occurs when the thyroid is hyperactive and produces excessive thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy is caused by an autoimmune illness known as Graves' disease. If you have Graves' disease, your immune system produces antibodies that cause your thyroid to produce excessive thyroid hormones. 
• Hypothyroidism ("hypo" implies too little or insufficient): When the thyroid is underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormones, several bodily systems slow down. Hypothyroidism during pregnancy is mainly caused by an autoimmune illness known as Hashimoto's disease. When you have Hashimoto's disease, your immune system produces antibodies that attack and damage your thyroid, preventing it from producing thyroid hormones.

If you have thyroid during pregnancy, therapy can help you have a healthy pregnancy and infant. Let’s see some of the symptoms of thyroid in pregnant ladies. 

Thyroid Disorder Symptoms in Pregnancy

Thyroid during pregnancy can be difficult to diagnose since some of the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are frequently confused with those that occur naturally during pregnancy. Also, many women with hypothyroidism have moderate or no symptoms.

Hyperthyroidism can cause complications for pregnant women, such as:

Preeclampsia

It occurs when a pregnant woman has high blood pressure, which damages various organs in the body, most notably the liver and kidneys. It normally develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, it can sometimes occur after childbirth (postpartum preeclampsia) and there can be an impact of thyroid on fetal development. If not addressed, preeclampsia can lead to death. The syndrome can lead to fetal development limitation, premature birth, and cardiovascular disease

Pulmonary hypertension

It is a type of excessive blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart. Pulmonary hypertension can lead to blood clots, arrhythmias, and heart hypertrophy.

Placental abruption 

It is a dangerous pregnancy condition that can harm your baby. The placenta separates from the uterine wall after birth, necessitating prompt medical attention. Placental abruption can cause the infant to get insufficient oxygen and nutrition, resulting in premature birth or, in the worst-case scenario, stillbirth.

Heart failure can also occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood throughout the body.

 Thyroid Storm

A thyroid storm worsens hyperthyroidism symptoms. Although rare, it can be fatal during pregnancy. A pregnant woman who experiences a thyroid storm is more likely to develop heart failure.

Also Read: How to control Thyroid?

How Are Thyroid Disorders Diagnosed?

A doctor would typically not test for thyroid abnormalities before pregnancy unless a woman is already at risk of having one. This means that an expectant mother should closely watch any signs or symptoms that may indicate a thyroid condition. This can be problematic because certain thyroid issue symptoms resemble those of other benign ailments. 

If you suspect you have a thyroid disorder, your doctor will do a physical examination and collect blood samples to analyze your thyroid levels. The main things doctors check for in your blood results are thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH). Blood tests can find out the thyorid hormone level during pregnancy. With this, the doctor will be able to confirm the diagnosis of hypo/hyperthyroidism. 

Treatment for Thyroid Conditions

Many medications used to treat thyroid issues during pregnancy are safe for the infant. Thyroid medications can help maintain the proper level of thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your provider will offer you blood tests to evaluate your TSH and T4 levels to ensure that your treatment is at the proper dosage. Your thyroid produces a hormone called T4. So it is important to follow pregnancy and thyroid medication safety. 

If you are taking thyroid medication prior to pregnancy, consult your doctor before becoming pregnant. Your doctor may want to tweak or change your medication to ensure it is safe for your baby. If you are currently taking thyroid medication when you become pregnant, continue taking it and consult your doctor as soon as possible.

• Treating Hyperthyroidism: If you have moderate hyperthyroidism and pregnancy risks, you might not require therapy. If the condition is more serious, you may need to take antithyroid medication. This medication affects the thyroid to produce less thyroid hormone.
• Treating hypothyroidism: Levothyroxine is the most commonly used medication to treat an underactive thyroid during pregnancy. Levothyroxine supplements the thyroid hormone T4, which your own thyroid does not produce or produces in sufficient quantities. It is safe to take this medication when pregnant. Thyroid medications containing the T3 hormone are not safe to use while pregnant. 

Have Safe Pregnancy with Proper Measures

Thyroid during pregnancy is a typical occurrence. Women may have the diagnosis before conception, or they may receive it after becoming pregnant. Women with a known diagnosis of hypothyroidism before pregnancy should receive preconception counselling on disease management while pregnant. So, you should always consult a doctor who can diagnose and treat this condition significantly.

Our doctors at Apollo Spectra are well-versed in addressing the underlying causes, putting appropriate treatment options into practice, and taking preventive measures. Visit Apollo Spectra to speak with the top physicians in India who can take care of your level of thyroid during pregnancy. Make an appointment with our experts right away!

Also Read: Home Remedies for Thyroid