How To Control Thyroid During Pregnancy

Do I Need To Continue To Monitor My Thyroid Levels

How to Control Thyroid during Pregnancy | Effects on Mom and Baby and Treatment

It is important to have blood levels checked regularly even after the correct dose is found. Hypothyroidism is often a lifelong and progressive disease and the dose of thyroid hormone replacement may need adjustment.

Frequent monitoring is important if the dose of thyroid replacement hormone is too high, women may develop treatment-induced hyperthyroidism. This could cause heart palpitations, nervousness, and osteoporosis .

If you become pregnant, your doctor will need to monitor your blood every trimester as your levothyroxine dose needs may change due to pregnancy.

Causes Of Thyroid Disease In Pregnancy

Hyperthyroid disease

Autoimmune disorder Graves disease is one of the common reasons behind maternal hyperthyroidism. In Graves disease, the body produces a protein known as Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin , which aids in secreting excess thyroid hormone.

Symptoms of Graves disease:

Removal of the thyroid gland or radioactive treatment does not ensure that your body stops making the Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulinanti body. Rising levels of TSI can make their way to your body and reach the growing fetus, which results in thyroid producing hormone more than it requires. And so, routine check-up and consultation with your physician is a must to keep things in control.

What Is Postpartum Thyroiditis

Postpartum thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid that affects about 1 in 20 women during the first year after giving birth1 and is more common in women with type 1 diabetes. The inflammation causes stored thyroid hormone to leak out of your thyroid gland. At first, the leakage raises the hormone levels in your blood, leading to hyperthyroidism. The hyperthyroidism may last up to 3 months. After that, some damage to your thyroid may cause it to become underactive. Your hypothyroidism may last up to a year after your baby is born. However, in some women, hypothyroidism doesnt go away.

Not all women who have postpartum thyroiditis go through both phases. Some only go through the hyperthyroid phase, and some only the hypothyroid phase.

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How Thyroid During Pregnancy Affect Baby :

  • Weakened Heart/Total heart failure Low birth-weight of the child Decreased red blood cells in the body Still Birth

Be prepared for more clinic visits of you are suffering from pre-existing hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, particularly for the initial three months. The pregnancy systems are similar to that of hyperthyroidism, but if the patient experiences any distinct systems such as palpitation, vomiting or dramatic weight loss, then you should get in touch with your doctor at the earliest.

Here are the visible signs of Hyperthyroidism & Hypothyroidism during pregnancy

How Are Thyroid Conditions Treated During Pregnancy And While Breastfeeding

Thyroid Disease and Getting Pregnant

Many medicines used to treat thyroid conditions during pregnancy are safe for your baby. Thyroid medicines can help keep the right level of thyroid hormones in your body. Your provider gives you blood tests during pregnancy to check your TSH and T4 levels to make sure your medicine is at the right amount . T4 is a hormone made by your thyroid.

If youre taking medicine for a thyroid condition before pregnancy, talk to your provider before you get pregnant. Your provider may want to adjust or change your medicine to make sure its safe for your baby. If youre already taking thyroid medicine when you get pregnant, keep taking it and talk to your provider about it as soon as possible.

Treating hyperthyroidism. If you have mild hyperthyroidism, you may not need treatment. If its more severe, you may need to take an antithyroid medicine. This medicine causes your thyroid to make less thyroid hormone.

Providers sometimes use radioactive iodine to treat hyperthyroidism. Pregnant women shouldnt take this medicine because it can cause thyroid problems in the baby.

Antithyroid medicines are safe to take at low doses while youre breastfeeding.

If you had hypothyroidism before getting pregnant, you most likely need to increase the amount of medicine you take during pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider about your medicine as soon as you find out youre pregnant. Your provider can check to make sure youre taking the right dose by checking your TSH levels during pregnancy.

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Who Should Be Treated For Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy

Women found to have a TSH level greater than 10 mIU/L in the first trimester of pregnancy should be treated for hypothyroidism. Conversely, women with a TSH of 2.5 or less, do not need levothyroxine treatment. For women with TSH measured between these , ATA recommendations for treatment vary and may depend on whether or not the mother has TPO antibodies. When TPO antibodies are positive, treatment is recommended when the TSH is above 4 and should be considered when the TSH is between 2.5-4.0. However, when there are no TPO antibodies , current ATA recommendations are less strong and suggest that treatment may be considered when TSH is between 2.5-10.0 mIU/L. These recommendations are based on the degree of evidence that exists that treatment with levothyroxine would be beneficial.

How Does Pregnancy Affect Thyroid Levels

When youre expecting, two pregnancy hormones youre probably pretty familiar with already estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin increase your thyroid hormone levels.

In the first trimester, hCG which is similar to TSH stimulates production of thyroid hormones. And throughout pregnancy, increased estrogen levels produce a hormone that helps transports thyroid hormones in the blood. By the third trimester, the thyroids volume may be 10-15 percent greater. All of this is normal.

For both of the above reasons and because many symptoms of a normal pregnancy and a thyroid disorder are similar, thyroid tests can be more difficult to interpret when youre expecting.

And because thyroid hormones are crucial to the healthy development of your babys brain and nervous system especially during the first trimester, before your babys thyroid has developed and hes completely reliant on you for thyroid hormone its all the more important to understand your risk factors and symptoms so you so can get treatment if you need it.

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What Tests Are Used To Check Thyroid Function

Your doctor can detect unusual thyroid hormone levels with a blood test. Regular screening is recommended for those with a higher risk of thyroid dysfunction, such as pregnant women:

  • with symptoms of thyroid dysfunction
  • with their own or family history of thyroid disease
  • with previous thyroid surgery
  • who are severely overweight or obese
  • who are aged 30 or older

If you feel you fit into one or more of the above categories, ask your doctor or midwife if your thyroid function should be checked.

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Hyperthyroidism During Pregnancy

KHYBER SAHAR|how to control thyroid during pregnancy|30 Jan 2020|AVT Khyber

Overall, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in women of childbearing age is Graves disease , which occurs in 0.2% of pregnant patients. In addition to other usual causes of hyperthyroidism , very high levels of hCG, seen in severe forms of morning sickness , may cause transient hyperthyroidism in early pregnancy. The correct diagnosis is based on a careful review of history, physical exam and laboratory testing.

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How Do Doctors Treat Postpartum Thyroiditis

The hyperthyroid stage of postpartum thyroiditis rarely needs treatment. If your symptoms are bothering you, your doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker, a medicine that slows your heart rate. Antithyroid medicines are not useful in postpartum thyroiditis, but if you have Graves disease, it may worsen after your baby is born and you may need antithyroid medicines.

Youre more likely to have symptoms during the hypothyroid stage. Your doctor may prescribe thyroid hormone medicine to help with your symptoms. If your hypothyroidism doesnt go away, you will need to take thyroid hormone medicine for the rest of your life.

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What Are Signs And Symptoms Of Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism thats untreated or not treated correctly is linked to problems for women and babies during pregnancy and after birth.

Problems for women can include:

  • Preeclampsia. This is a serious blood pressure condition that can happen after the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth . Its when a woman has high blood pressure and signs that some of her organs, like her kidneys and liver, may not be working normally. Blood pressure is the force of blood that pushes against the walls of your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from your heart to other parts of the body. High blood pressure is when the force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels is too high. It can stress your heart and cause problems during pregnancy.
  • Pulmonary hypertension. This is a kind of high blood pressure that happens in the arteries in your lungs and on the right side of your heart.
  • Placental abruption. This is a serious condition in which the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus before birth. The placenta grows in your uterus and supplies the baby with food and oxygen through the umbilical cord.
  • Heart failure. This is when your heart cant pump enough blood to the rest of your body.
  • Thyroid storm. This is when your symptoms suddenly get much worse. Its a rare, but life-threatening condition during pregnancy. Pregnant women who have thyroid storm are at high risk of heart failure.

Problems for babies can include:

It’s Easy To Get The Care You Need

Pin on Conditions and Getting Pregnant

See a Premier Physician Network provider near you.

When youre pregnant, your baby depends on your body to help her own brain and body develop. Sometimes, its easy to help your baby along, like making sure you eat healthy foods. In other cases, things happen that are beyond your control, and youll need the support of your doctor to keep you and your baby on a healthy course.

Thyroid problems, while rare, are one such example. When youre pregnant, the hormones hCG and estrogen raise the level of thyroid hormones in your body. This ensures that both you and your baby get an adequate supply.

But sometimes, the thyroid levels rise too high or fall too low. If this happens, it can be harmful for both of you. Read on to learn more about thyroid disease during pregnancy and what to do about it.

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How Is Thyroid Dysfunction In Pregnancy Managed

If you have hypothyroidism, your doctor may prescribe thyroxine tablets before and after conception to optimise your thyroid hormone levels. This treatment is usually accompanied by regular thyroid function tests to ensure your thyroid level is in the recommended range. If left untreated, low levels of thyroid hormone can cause complications in pregnancy, such as premature birth, low birth weight and miscarriage. It may also affect the intellectual development of your baby.

If you have hyperthyroidism, your doctor or specialist may prescribe medication to block thyroid hormone production . The most common medicine used for this is called propylthiouracil. Uncontrolled overactive thyroid during pregnancy has been associated with complications such as a higher fetal heart rate , small gestational size, premature birth or stillbirth.

Hypothyroidism Treatment During Pregnancy

Your doctor will prescribe a synthetic hormone called levothyroxine which is not only safe during pregnancy, its vital to both you and your baby. Work with your endocrinologist and obstetrician to determine the right dose for you. If you had preexisting hypothyroidism, they will likely need to increase your levels, since the body requires more thyroid hormones when its in baby-growing mode.

During pregnancy and postpartum, your thyroid hormone levels will be monitored every six to eight weeks to see if your dose needs further adjustment.

In addition to medication, be sure to eat a healthy balanced diet and take a prenatal vitamin. Most likely your doctor will also suggest a supplement of 150 micrograms iodine a day during pregnancy , since iodine is important for thyroid health. Youll also find iodine in seafood and iodized salt, so opt for that over sea salt.

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Checking For Thyroid Problems During Pregnancy

Because proper thyroid function is essential for a pregnancy to flourish, pregnant women are advised to undergo thyroid tests to ensure that the levels are optimum. If you are a pregnant woman, consult with your doctor regarding your TSH levels, most importantly if:

  • You have a history of thyroid issues, or if any of your family members have them
  • You are experiencing symptoms of thyroid disfunction such as tiredness, fatigue, unexpected weight fluctuations, and hair fall or loss
  • You have high levels of thyroid antibodies
  • You have a history of infertility, miscarriage, or preterm delivery
  • You have type 1 diabetes

Inclusion Of Carrots And Eggs In The Diet

Get Pregnant fast controlling your Thyroid

The thyroid gland functions properly when the quantity of vitamin A in the body is good enough. Any nutritional deficiency in that regard could affect the levels of thyroid hormones. Eggs are the best bet here since they are known to have good quantities of Vitamin A. If you are a strict vegetarian, the best option for you would be to consume carrots or even pumpkins, since both consist of vitamin A. However, it is recommended to not overdo with their consumption during pregnancy and keep it in moderation.

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Are There Any Risks To A Baby After Birth

Neonatal Graves disease occurs in about 1 percent of babies born to mothers with active Graves disease or a history of the disease. Babies may be severely affected requiring hospitalization and intensive care support. In its most severe form, hyperthyroidism in the newborn can be fatal. In less severe forms, and with good control, the consequences of Graves disease on the baby are usually temporary. However, even under the best of circumstances there may be permanent consequences of maternal Graves disease on the baby.

The cause of Graves disease in the newborn is the crossing of the moms antibodies through the placenta to the baby. Even for women who were definitively treated for their Graves disease, the maternal antibodies may be present for years afterwards and continue to be a potential risk to the baby. The anti-thyroid medications that the mom takes may also have temporary or permanent effects on the baby. Because of these concerns, it is extremely important to let your physician know if you have Graves disease or a history of Graves disease to ensure both you and your baby are followed more closely.

Next Steps

How To Control Thyroid During Pregnancy Hyperthyroidism

  • Thyroid hormone levels may change during pregnancy. And, the thyroid replacement dosing may also change. Thyroid hormone levels need to be checked every 4 weeks during the first half of pregnancy. The treatment is safe and essential to both mother and fetus. Routine screening for all newborns includes a test of thyroid hormone levels
  • Yes, a problem in the thyroid that causes it to be underactive can be a factor in not only getting pregnant, but even during pregnancy as well. The thyroid hormones are important for the development of the brain of the baby. The worst case scenario of Hypothyroidism can be miscarriage. Q
  • How to Control Thyroid During Pregnancy Naturally. An increase in the level of TSH may lead to multiple health problems in pregnant women, which is why many of them wonder how to reduce thyroid during pregnancy naturally without resorting to medication directly. Here are a few techniques: 1. Primrose Oi
  • Pregnancy causes major changes in the levels of hormones made by the thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck. For that reason, thyroid problems sometimes can start or get worse during pregnancy or after childbirth. The thyroid makes the hormones T3 and T4, which control metabolismâhow your body uses and stores energy. When the thyroid.
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    Thyroid During Pregnancy: 3 Things You Need To Know

    By Sitaram Bhartia Maternity Program | November 23, 2017 | Maternity | 2017-11-2320 November 2020

    Theres a common perception that thyroid during pregnancy is a huge problem says Dr. Priti Arora Dhamija. But this is nothing to be afraid of. With the right treatment, thyroid problems during pregnancy can easily be brought under control.

    What Is The Thyroid Gland

    Pin on Conditions and Getting Pregnant

    The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is normally located in the lower front of the neck. The thyroids job is to make thyroid hormones, which are secreted into the blood and then carried to every tissue in the body. Thyroid hormone helps the body use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should.

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    How To Control Thyroid Gland During Pregnancy

    The Thyroid is a tiny, butterfly shaped gland that is located at the front of your neck. Its main function is to produce hormones that help your body control and use energy.

    Sometimes it produces an excessive amount of hormones, while in other times it produces insufficient hormones. The former is officially called overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism. The latter is known as underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.

    Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism impact women more often than men, especially those in their 60s. They have direct influence on your whole body and your bodys functions including heartbeat, temperature control and metabolism.

    Therefore, here we have put together some practical tips on how to control thyroid levels during pregnancy naturally.

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