The Link Between Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy

By Kevin Doherty

Hypothyroidism and pregnancy have been linked with each other for the longest time now. They are two very interrelated types of conditions. More importantly, women are at increased risks of developing hypothyroidism when they are pregnant or right after when they give birth. Thus, pregnancy in a certain way can be almost equated to hypothyroidism because the increase in risks it poses to the person.
Since pregnancy is already a very sensitive condition and when couple with hypothyroidism, it can turn into something very crucial for both the mother and the baby. Women are always advised to be very careful when dealing with pregnancy. As much as possible, they need to go through several tests just to make sure that they are not suffering from hypothyroidism. Unnoticed hypothyroidism can lead to a lot of problems even as worse as pregnancy loss. The following sections provide a more detailed look on hypothyroidism and pregnancy.
Hypothyroidism and its Effects on Pregnancy
Hypothyroidism can impact pregnancy in many different ways. These are discussed as follows:
Pregnant women suffering from a condition of hypothyroidism are at increased risk for having miscarriage than those who don't.
Pregnant women suffering from a condition of hypothyroidism that has not been treated or noticed for a long time are at increased chances of having high blood pressure and premature delivery.
Infants whose mothers have suffered from hypothyroidism usually encounter problems when it comes to their mental development. There have been many cases where infants were not able to achieve or maximize their mental capacity because of previous condition of hypothyroidism associated with their mothers.
Women are also at prone of getting infertile following their diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
Since hypothyroidism can bring about a range of problems both for the born child and the unborn one, doctors strongly recommend that expectant mothers get tested immediately or a couple of times to ensure that they are not suffering hypothyroidism. The sooner an expectant mother gets diagnosed, the faster appropriate treatments and medications can be administered. Multiple tests are important because thyroid hormone levels are somewhat unstable so it is impossible to pinpoint the exact gravity of the condition without doing multiple tests. Likewise, even after treatment or all throughout the medication, it is still necessary to monitor hormone levels to make sure that they stay within ideal levels.
The amount of thyroid hormones to be administered as part of the medication relies on the severity of the condition. There are individuals who may require more dosages while others only require a small amount. Further, dosages also need to be adjusted depending on the current hormone level of the person. This is why monitoring constantly is an important aspect of treatment for hypothyroidism in pregnancy.
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Kevin Doherty, L.Ac., MS is a licensed acupuncturist in Superior, CO.
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