How Thyroid Disease Affects Pregnancy
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross B...
The thyroid plays a critical role in pregnancy for both mother and baby.
Thyroid diseases are the second most common endocrine disorders that affect pregnant women after diabetes, according to the National Library of Medicine. Untreated thyroid diseases can lead to miscarriage, premature birth and preeclampsia, among other health complications. Here is a look at how thyroid diseases affect pregnancy, symptoms to look for and how to manage them.
How does the thyroid affect pregnancy?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck that converts iodine into hormones that regulates the body’s metabolism and vital functions such as heart rate, breathing and body temperature. During the first three months of pregnancy, a mother’s thyroid hormones are essential for a baby’s brain and nervous system development, according to the National Institutes of Health. An overactive thyroid, called hyperthyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, called hypothyroidism, present health problems for both mother and fetus.
Women produce higher levels of thyroid hormones during pregnancy, making some thyroid problems difficult to diagnose.
Hyperthyroidism and pregnancy
A pregnant woman with untreated hyperthyroidism could experience:
- Miscarriage
- Premature birth
- Low birthweight
- Preeclampsia
- Congestive heart failure
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy women include:
- Fast heartbeat
- Unexplained weight loss or lack of healthy weight gain
- Shaky hands
- Nervousness
- Excessive sweating
- Insomnia
The top cause of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes an overactive thyroid gland. About one to four of every 1,000 pregnancies in the United States is affected by Grave’s disease. Pregnant women with Grave’s disease will likely receive thyroid function exams about once a month through their pregnancy to monitor their health and the health of their baby.
Hypothyroidism and pregnancy
Untreated and severe hypothyroidism during pregnancy can lead to:
- Anemia
- Low birthweight
- Preeclampsia
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Congestive heart failure
- Placental abruption
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Extreme tiredness
- Muscle cramps
- Severe constipation
- Memory or concentration problems
- Difficulty with cold
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
Mild hypothyroidism may not have any symptoms, and complications are often seen in women with severe hypothyroidism, according to the American Thyroid Association.
Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism during pregnancy. It occurs in two to three in 100 pregnancies. Similarly to an overactive thyroid, pregnant women with low thyroid function will need monitoring every four to six weeks throughout their pregnancies for their health.
Treatment for thyroid diseases during pregnancy
Women who have known thyroid disorders or family history of thyroid diseases should talk to their physicians about prevention and treatment before becoming pregnant or if they become pregnant.
Some women with an overactive thyroid may not need medication. If the condition is severe, a physician may prescribe an antithyroid medication called propylthiouracil (PTU) or methimazole to reduce the amount of hormones. The treatment for hypothyroidism is to take replacement hormones, typically a medication called levothyroxine. If you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism during pregnancy, talk to your doctor.
For healthy thyroid function, pregnant women should get about 250 micrograms of iodine per day through their diets and/or supplementation. Healthy sources of iodine include:
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Meat
- Iodized salt
Image: Getty images
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