The loss of a child is heartbreaking under any circumstances. Pregnant women dealing with mild hypothyroidism can be at risk for several dangers to their unborn children without knowing it.
A study performed at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India was a step in the right direction for these women and their babies.
Researchers observed the first trimesters of 1000 pregnant women. One group of 533 patients had normal levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) that were 2.5 mIU/L or lower.
The second group' of 263 patients’s had TSH levels of more than 2.5 mIU/L but less than or equivalent to 4 mIU/L. The levels of this second group were deemed by researchers to be mild hypothyroidism.
The remaining 200 women were diagnosed with hypothyroidism and were not included in study.
According to Medscape, women in the study with “even mild thyroid dysfunction during early pregnancy, had rates for miscarriage double those of women with normal levels, and the risk for stillbirth was as much as 7 times greater.”
Testing of thyroid levels during the first trimester will not necessarily give an accurate assessment of what problems may exist, according to study lead author Jubbin Jagan Jacob, M.D., associate professor at Christian Medical College and Hospital.
For instance, TSH levels that are slightly raised may be the result of a deficiency of some micronutrient, or autoimmunity, rather than hypothyroidism.
Despite this lack of precision, Jacob said that the study indicates that thyroid dysfunction screening should be done for all pregnant women.
The research was presented on June 23, 2012 at the Endocrine Society 94th Annual Meeting. This particular research was done in only one center so its conclusions cannot be considered authoritative. It does indicate that more research should be performed.
The study was funded by Christian Medical College and Hospital.
The thyroid gland is in the front area of the neck and produces thyroid hormone. This hormone regulates many body systems and functions, such as body temperature, heart, metabolism, nervous system and body weight.
When hormone production is too low, that's hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is characterized by cognitive problems, constipation, depression, fatigue, muscle cramps and sensitivity to cold.
Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is most commonly caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own thyroid gland cells. The thyroid becomes unable to manufacture adequate supplies of thyroid hormone.
Hypothyroidism is diagnosed after taking a history of all symptoms and a blood test to measure TSH which promotes production of thyroid hormone T4. Fortunately, hypothyroidism can be treated with a synthetic hormone called levothyroxine.
In pregnant women, untreated hypothyroidism poses a threat to the mother and to the child. The pregnant woman with hypothyroidism has a higher risk of preeclampsia. Low birth weight, miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth are dangers for the baby.
Babies of women with moderate untreated hypothyroidism were more at risk for low birth rate, for being small for their gestational age, and for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
If a woman has already been taking levothyroxine for her thyroid before becoming pregnant, it's important that she see her doctor to increase the dosage early in pregnancy.
The dose will be determined at the beginning of pregnancy, and will be monitored every four to six weeks until the baby is born.
Prenatal vitamins should not be taken within three to four hours of taking levothyroxine.
Generally only women with clinical levels of hypothyroidism are tested.
If you are pregnant, contact your doctor if you are having heart palpitations, persistent vomiting, and if you are losing weight.
Sources:
Miscarriage, Stillbirth Rates Higher With Mild Thyroid Dysfunction. Medscape.com. Retrieved Dec. 7, 2014.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/766266
Mild thyroid dysfunction in early pregnancy linked to serious complications. Sciencedaily.com. Retrieved Dec. 7, 2014.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120623144935.htm
Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy. Endocrineweb.com. Retrieved Dec. 7, 2014.
http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/thyroid-problems-pregnancy
Have You Suffered a Miscarriage? Your Thyroid Could Be to Blame. Hypothyroidmom.com. Retrieved Dec. 7, 2014.
http://hypothyroidmom.com/have-you-suffered-a-miscarriage-your-thyroid-c...
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Reviewed December 8, 2014
by Michele Blacksberg RN