After diabetes, thyroid related disorder is the second most frequent endocrine ailment in women of reproductive age. Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is curable, but if not diagnosed and treated properly, they can harm both the mother and the foetus. Thyroid test in pregnancy is the key to baby’s and mother’s health during and post-pregnancy.
How does the thyroid gland work?
The thyroid is a gland at the front of your neck that produces thyroid hormones, T3 and T4 that control your metabolism (conversion of food into energy), heart, neurological system, weight, body temperature, and other bodily functions. Thyroid hormones are important for foetal brain and nervous system development during the first three months of pregnancy because the baby is dependent on the mother’s hormones. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that regulates the secretion of T3 & T4.
Pregnancy and Thyroid Disorders: Pregnancy can either cause thyroid problems to start or get worse. If left untreated, thyroid disorders in pregnancy can cause problems for mother and baby, including miscarriage, premature birth, preeclampsia and bleeding after the birth.
Thyroid test in pregnancy is pertinent because thyroid disorders, such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, are frequent during pregnancy and must be treated.
Hyperthyroidism- Graves' disease, an autoimmune illness, is the most common cause of thyroid problems during pregnancy. Autoimmune disorders are conditions where the body cells start attacking its own body parts considering it as foreign. The body’s immune system produces antibodies that cause the thyroid to produce too much thyroid hormone in Graves' disease.
Hypothyroidism– Many of the body's functions slow down when the thyroid is underactive and doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones. Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune illness, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in pregnancy. When you have Hashimoto's disease, your immune system produces antibodies that attack and destroy your thyroid, preventing it from producing thyroid hormones, which may subsequently lead to thyroid problems during pregnancy.
What are the common symptoms of thyroid disease?
Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- Weight loss
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nervousness
- Vomiting or nausea
- Slight tremors
- Sleeping disorders
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Unexplained weight gain
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Having trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Muscle pain
- Cold sensitivity
- Miscarriage or stillbirth
How to diagnose thyroid disease during pregnancy?
Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism in pregnancy are diagnosed based on symptoms. Thyroid test in pregnancy is done after a physical examination, by evaluating thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones,T4 and T3. You can simply browse by typing ‘thyroid test price near me’ to compare the prices of thyroid tests in different labs.
How thyroid disease is treated during pregnancy?
Treatment of hyperthyroidism– You may not need therapy if you have mild hyperthyroidism. If your condition is severe, you may need to take anti-thyroid medication. Your thyroid produces less thyroid hormone as a result of this medication. Most doctors prescribe pregnant women who have an overactive thyroid with different anti-thyroid medications based on the trimester they are in . It's crucial to take these medications at the right time to effectively manage thyroid disorders in pregnancy.
Treatment of hypothyroidism– Synthetic T4 hormone is used to treat an underactive thyroid during pregnancy. T4 is a thyroid hormone that your own thyroid doesn't make or doesn't make enough, so synthetic T4 hormone is used to replace it. This medication is safe to take while pregnant. Thyroid medications containing the T3 hormone are not safe to take while pregnant.
If you already are on thyroid medication, as soon as you learn you're pregnant, talk to your gynecologist about your condition. During pregnancy, your provider would monitor your TSH levels to make sure you're on the proper dose.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
