{"id":872,"date":"2017-03-16T12:22:01","date_gmt":"2017-03-16T12:22:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/drsafehands.com\/blog\/?p=872"},"modified":"2019-11-04T10:33:28","modified_gmt":"2019-11-04T10:33:28","slug":"thyroid-in-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drsafehands.com\/blog\/thyroid-in-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"THYROID IN PREGNANCY"},"content":{"rendered":"

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland situated in the front of the neck near the voice box or Adam’s apple. It releases a hormone which is responsible for the regulation of metabolism.<\/p>\n

Sometimes it may release hormones in excess or in fewer amounts which creates the problem accordingly.<\/p>\n

It plays a crucial role in maintaining the development of a healthy baby and the health of the expecting mother.<\/p>\n

Role of Thyroid in Baby<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

The thyroid hormone helps in the normal development of the fetus\u2019s brain and nervous system.<\/p>\n

For the first 3 months, the fetus is dependent on the mother\u2019s supply for the thyroid hormone, which comes through the placenta.<\/p>\n

At around 12 weeks, the fetus\u2019s thyroid gland starts functioning on its own.<\/p>\n

So it is difficult to diagnose Thyroid problems in pregnancy<\/a> because of high levels of thyroid hormone as the symptoms are common to both pregnancy and thyroid disorders.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Physiologically<\/u><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n

Occasionally, during 1st half of pregnant women may suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum; severe nausea and vomiting which is due to high levels of HCG hormone produced by the placenta. This HCG may cause a temporary increase in the thyroid hormone as it mimics TSH i.e. thyroid-stimulating hormone which stimulates the thyroid to produce more hormone.<\/p>\n

In the 2nd half of pregnancy; when the HCG levels are down, the thyroid levels again come to normal.<\/p>\n

The other female hormone oestrogen which increases during pregnancy produces high levels of thyroid-binding globulin, it is a protein that transports thyroid hormone in the blood which can also count on to the increased level of thyroid in pregnancy.<\/p>\n

Thus, the gland produces more hormones as a result, thyroid enlarges slightly in expecting healthy women.<\/p>\n

This distinctly enlarged thyroid can be a sign of thyroid disease and should be discussed with the healthcare person immediately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pathologically\u00a0<\/u><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n

In Women<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Perceptible Increased or decreased thyroid hormone in blood during pregnancy<\/a> can lead to many problems like miscarriage<\/a>, premature birth, low birth weight, heart failure in the fetus, etc.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
It can happen with the women suffering from autoimmune diseases like Grave\u2019s disease-causing rise in thyroid level or Hashimoto\u2019s disease-causing descent in thyroid level.<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
In Baby<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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If the hormone level is high in the baby then it can lead to rapid heart rate; early closure of the soft spot in the skull; poor weight gain; irritability; and sometimes distended thyroid may compress against the windpipe and interfere with breathing causing dyspnoea<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Diagnosis<\/u><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
It can be monitored by undergoing a simple blood test:<\/div>\n