After diabetes, thyroid disease is the second most frequent endocrine ailment in women of reproductive age. These disorders are curable, but if not diagnosed and treated properly, they can harm both the mother and the foetus.
How does thyroid gland work?
The thyroid is a gland at the front of your neck that produces hormones that control your metabolism (how your body burns energy), heart, neurological system, weight, body temperature, and a variety of other bodily functions. Thyroid hormones are especially important for foetal brain and nervous system development during the first three months of pregnancy, because the baby is dependent on mother’s hormones.
What are the most common causes of thyroid disorders?
Thyroid levels should be checked before and during pregnancy 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 hyperthyroidism during pregnancy. Autoimmune disorders are diseases that develop when antibodies (cells in the body that combat infections) mistakenly target healthy tissue. Your immune system produces antibodies that cause your thyroid to produce too much thyroid hormone if you have Graves' disease.
Hypothyroidism– Many of your body's functions slow down when your thyroid is underactive and doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones. Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune illness, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism during pregnancy. When you have Hashimoto's disease, your immune system produces antibodies that attack and destroy your thyroid, preventing it from producing thyroid hormones.
What are the common symptoms of thyroid disease?
Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- Weight loss or low weight gain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Increases nervousness
- Vomiting or nausea
- Slight tremors
- Sleeping disorders
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Constipation
- Having trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Muscle pain
- Cold sensitivity
- Miscarriage or still birth
How to diagnose thyroid disease during pregnancy?
Thyroid hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism in pregnancy are diagnosed based on symptoms. Thyroid test is done by a physical exam, and blood tests that detect thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones T4 and, in the case of hyperthyroidism, T3. You can simply browse by typing ‘thyroid test price near me’ to compare the prices of thyroid symptoms tests at 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 propylthiouracil in the first trimester and methimazole in the second and third trimesters to pregnant women who have an overactive thyroid. It's crucial to take these medications at the right time.
Treatment of hypothyroidism– The most frequent medication used to treat an underactive thyroid during pregnancy is levothyroxine. T4 is a thyroid hormone that your own thyroid doesn't make or doesn't make enough, so levothyroxine 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.
As soon as you learn you're pregnant, talk to your doctor about your medication. During pregnancy, your provider can monitor your TSH levels to make sure you're on the proper dose.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited​
