Thyroid and Pregnancy: What Causes Thyroid During Pregnancy
What are the Most Common Kinds of Thyroid Conditions?
There are two main types of thyroid conditions during pregnancy, as well as in general. They are: an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
- Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)
This condition occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. During pregnancy, a woman may experience symptoms like difficulty concentrating (called brain fog), slow reflexes, and dry skin. If it is left untreated, there can be an increased risk of anaemia. It may also lead to placental abruption and stillbirth. It can affect your baby’s brain development and IQ.
- Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)
Hyperthyroidism happens when the thyroid produces too much hormone. If you are pregnant and have this, you might have terrible morning sickness. It is much worse than usual. Although hyperthyroidism is less common than hypothyroidism in pregnancy, it is still important to address it.
What is the Role of Thyroid Hormones in Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, thyroid hormones are very important. They help the baby’s brain and organs grow, especially in the first three months. At this time, the baby depends completely on its mother for the hormone supply. These hormones also help the mother’s body to regulate maternal metabolism and adapt to the changes.
Enough T4 levels are needed to prevent problems with the baby’s development. T4, also known as tetraiodothyronine, is a type of thyroid hormone. As estrogen (female hormone) levels rise during pregnancy, the thyroid gland makes more thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These are two types of thyroid hormones.
The placenta increases the body’s need for iodine during pregnancy. It also helps clear thyroid hormones from the bloodstream more quickly.
What are the Symptoms of Thyroid in Pregnancy?
Thyroid symptoms in pregnancy can vary depending on the type of thyroid disease. However, many signs can overlap with common pregnancy symptoms, so careful attention is needed. These are some of the signs:
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid):
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight gain
- Cold intolerance
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Depression or mood swings
- Slow heart rate
- Puffy face or swelling
- Poor memory or difficulty concentrating
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid):
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
- Unexplained weight loss
- Heat intolerance
- Anxiety or irritability
- Tremors (shaking hands or fingers)
- Increased sweating
- Frequent bowel movements
- Trouble sleeping
Women with thyroid disorders might also experience menstrual irregularities before conception.
What Causes Thyroid in Pregnancy?
There are several factors that can cause thyroid conditions during pregnancy. Below are some examples:
Low Thyroid (Hypothyroidism):
- Autoimmune attacks: This is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism in pregnancy. In this condition, your body’s immune system attacks your thyroid gland. This commonly happens with Hashimoto’s disease.
- Iodine intake: If you do not get enough iodine, your thyroid gland cannot make enough hormones.
- Hormone changes: Pregnancy hormones, like estrogen, increase proteins that bind to thyroid hormones. This can disrupt your hormone balance.
High Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism):
- Graves’ disease: In this condition, your antibodies make your thyroid gland produce too many hormones.
- High hCG levels: In early pregnancy, high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can mimic thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This happens because they have a similar structure. This can temporarily overstimulate the thyroid gland, causing mild hyperthyroidism in some women.
- Too much iodine: Prenatal vitamins are supplements designed for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. However, taking prenatal vitamins that contain too much iodine can lead to temporary thyroid problems.
Other factors:
- A personal or family history of thyroid disease raises your risk during pregnancy. This includes both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
How are Thyroid Conditions During Pregnancy Diagnosed?
To diagnose thyroid during pregnancy, doctors rely on thyroid function tests. These are blood tests used to measure how well your thyroid gland is working. One of the main indicators is serum TSH. It is a blood test that measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone in your blood. It helps show whether your thyroid is underactive or overactive.
Are You at Risk for Having a Thyroid Condition During Pregnancy?
You might be at a higher risk for thyroid issues during pregnancy if:
- A personal or family history of thyroid disease exists.
- You’re dealing with an autoimmune disorder, such as type 1 diabetes.
- You have had miscarriages or fertility problems in the past. This is sometimes the result of thyroid effect on pregnancy.
- Previous thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment has been part of your medical history. These procedures directly impact your thyroid’s function.
- You experience symptoms like unexplained weight changes, fatigue, or an irregular heartbeat.
- You are over 30 when you get pregnant. This is because age can sometimes play a role in thyroid health.
- You have a goitre, which is a visible swelling in your neck. This indicates that your thyroid gland might be enlarged.
How Can Hyperthyroidism Affect Pregnancy?
The thyroid and pregnancy are closely connected. When high thyroid levels (hyperthyroidism) are not managed during pregnancy, serious problems can occur. Some of them are stated below:
- Preterm birth is a possibility. That means your baby might arrive too soon.
- The baby might weigh less than expected at birth.
- Pregnant women with thyroid disorders can develop preeclampsia. This is a serious condition for the mother. It causes high blood pressure and other organ issues.
- There is also a risk of foetal thyroid dysfunction (baby’s thyroid does not work properly). This happens if the mother’s immune system antibodies cross the placenta.
- Too much thyroid hormone can make your heart beat too fast. It may raise your blood pressure, putting stress on your heart.
- In rare, severe cases, your body can experience a sudden and dangerous surge of hormones. It is called thyroid storm, which is a life-threatening emergency.
- After delivery, some women may develop postpartum thyroiditis. It is a temporary thyroid condition. It causes hormone levels to rise or fall for a short time.
How to Reduce Thyroid During Pregnancy?
This is how to reduce thyroid during pregnancy:
- Your doctor might give you anti-thyroid drugs if you have an overactive thyroid. You may be prescribed thyroid hormone replacement, such as levothyroxine, if your thyroid is underactive. These medicines help bring your hormone levels back to normal without harming your baby.
- Always take your thyroid medication on an empty stomach. Avoid calcium or iron supplements for a few hours after taking your thyroid medicine.
- Your doctor will schedule regular blood tests to check your thyroid and monitor hormone levels. This helps them adjust your medication dose so you always get the right amount.
- Try to include enough iodine and selenium in your diet. These nutrients are important for healthy thyroid function. Foods rich in selenium include Brazil nuts, seafood, meat, poultry, and certain grains.
- Reducing stress and getting good sleep can help your body stabilise hormone production.
FAQs
The ideal TSH levels to get pregnant are between 1.0 and 2.5 mIU/L. Maintaining this range helps your body release eggs regularly and supports the early stages of pregnancy.
You should check your thyroid levels about 6 to 12 weeks after giving birth. This is especially important if you have had thyroid problems before.
If your thyroid hormone levels are too high during pregnancy, it can cause problems. This includes miscarriage, premature birth, or your baby not growing well. You will need medical treatment right away to help prevent these issues.
Yes, you can have a baby even if you have high thyroid levels (hyperthyroidism). However, it needs proper medical supervision. Treating thyroid disorder properly helps reduce problems for both you and your baby.