Treatment of hypothyroidism during pregnancy it is basically the same as a non-pregnant woman or a man. However, gestation implies greater control and monitoring, as it can have consequences for the correct course of the pregnancy pregnancy.
The hormones the thyroid glands play a very important role during pregnancy. They affect both the child’s development and the mother’s health. Adequate treatment of hypothyroidism allows pregnancy without major complications.
Data indicate that diseases of the thyroid gland are more frequent among women of reproductive age. At the same time, hypothyroidism is estimated to occur in 0.25-2.5% of pregnancies. Therefore, the incidence of this problem can be said to be low.
The thyroid and hypothyroidism
the thyroid it is a gland and as such its main function is to secrete hormonal compounds. Because it is an endocrine gland, the hormones released from it go directly into the blood.
In order to do this, they need iodine in the body. Thyroid hormones have multiple functions. Just to mention the most important, we have:
- Growth and development.
- Increased oxygen consumption.
- Development of the central and peripheral nervous system
- Temperature regulation.
A person has hypothyroidism when the gland cannot produce enough thyroid hormone.. This causes from minor inconveniences to serious health problems. In most cases it can be treated successfully, even if not cured.
Changes in thyroid function during pregnancy
Pregnancy brings with it hormonal and physiological changes, which end up affecting the thyroid function. It is normal for TSH (thyrotopine, or thyroid stimulating hormone) to be slightly low during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Total T3 (triiodothyronine) and total T4 (thyroxine) remain elevated throughout pregnancy. Similarly, the thyroid gland can increase in size. In some cases, goiter associated with pregnancy appears.
The baby is totally dependent on the mother for thyroid hormone production during the first 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. The baby then produces the hormone on its own. Despite this, the child continues to depend on the mother getting enough iodine for hormones to be produced properly.
Risks of hypothyroidism during pregnancy
Treatment of hypothyroidism during pregnancy is crucial, as there are several risks, both for the mother and for the baby. Among others, the mother may develop maternal anemia, myopathy, and congestive heart failure.
Also abnormalities may occur in the placenta, that the baby has a low birth weight and that there is postpartum hemorrhage. The risk of this happening is higher if the hypothyroidism is severe.
At the same time, thyroid hormone is essential for the child’s brain development. Science has not been able to establish exactly what the consequences of hypothyroidism are in such development, but it is known that they can generate abnormalities.
Hypothyroidism also increases the risk of abortion spontaneous during the first trimester of pregnancy or preterm birth. It can also affect the increase in blood pressure, leading to so-called preeclampsia, which is a complication of the treatment.
Treatment of hypothyroidism during pregnancy
Treating hypothyroidism during pregnancy does not lead to a cure, but it can lead to total control of the disease. It basically consists of replacing the thyroid hormone with synthetic levothyroxine.. This is exactly the same as the T4 produced by a normal thyroid.
The only risk of the synthetic hormone is that the dose is not as required. If you take too little, hypothyroidism persists. If you take too much, you can develop hyperthyroidism. That is why it is necessary to maintain constant medical supervision and monitoring.
Another component of treatment for hypothyroidism during pregnancy is perform thyroid function tests every 6 to 8 weeks at the latest. These measurements are what help you determine if you need to make any changes to your levothyroxine dose.
It is also very important to carry out a permanent monitoring of the iodine level in the mother. This is essential so that the synthesis of thyroid hormones in the mother and fetus is not impaired. The mother should maintain a diet rich in iodine.
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