Pregnancy is the most precious phase of a woman’s life. The body goes through a plethora of changes with the hormones on a ride working to support the new budding life. During this time, it is important to have some health parameters in check and under control to sail through a smooth path. Thyroid dysfunction is one such issue that should not be ignored, especially when you are pregnant.
Women need to maintain an appropriate level of thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy because it is not only their body but even the baby’s development under concern. So, if you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, you should immediately start the treatment without any delay. Read this article to understand about the risks posed by hypothyroidism during pregnancy.
In This Article
- What is Hypothyroidism?
- Top 5 Risks With Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy
- How Can I Take Charge of Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy?
- FAQ’s
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is the condition where your thyroid gland (located in the neck region and shaped like a small butterfly) produces an inadequate amount of thyroid hormones which is extremely important to keep our metabolism system going.
Hypothyroidism, if left untreated during pregnancy can lead to maternal and fetal complications like low birth weight, preterm deliveries, anemia, etc (1). Thyroid dysfunction could be auto-immune or gestational. The right diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy can help you avoid unnecessary complications.
Top 5 Risks With Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy
Though it has been concluded that women who have thyroid can have complications about their pregnancy and birthing experience, yet, properly and closely monitored thyroid levels during pregnancy can help you have a smooth ride to childbirth (2a).
Here are some potential risks hypothyroidism can bring in during the period of pregnancy
1. The Fetus May Suffer Developmental Delay
During the early months of pregnancy, your fetus is dependent on your hormones. So, if your thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones to suffice your body’s needs, your fetus is going to get fewer hormones. As thyroid hormone plays a major role in the development of the brain in the fetus (2b). Learning disabilities have also been found to occur in children whose mothers had thyroid.
2. Preeclampsia
Hypothyroidism, if left untreated can lead to preeclampsia (3). It is a very critical condition in pregnancy wherein the fetus shows signs of high blood pressure and as a consequence; damage to its organs. It can be a very serious condition, even fatal for both you and your child. At this time the only way out is to deliver the baby. But then again if it is too early to deliver the baby then you and your doctor face a huge challenge of keeping the baby healthy and giving it adequate time to mature.
[Read : Preeclampsia]
3. Anemia
If your metabolism system isn’t working the way it should be due to a lack of thyroid hormones, it can lead to an increase of unhealthy blood cells in your body. Since your body is producing more blood to cope with the demands of a growing fetus, a lack of iron and other essential nutrients can hamper the growth of red blood cells. As a result, you may develop anemia.(2c)
It is a condition where your blood cells don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your baby and your body tissues. Though it is normal to have mild anemia during pregnancy if it becomes severe then there is a potential threat to both you and your baby. You may feel fatigued all the time and anemia may also lead to preterm delivery (4).
3. Low Birth Weight
Your baby may be born underweight as well as premature (before 37 weeks)(2d). Low birth weight poses many problems for your baby, ranging from growth and development to extended time in the NICU.
4. Still Birth
Some studies also show a higher rate of stillbirths in mothers who have untreated or undiagnosed thyroid conditions.
To stay on the safe side, a thyroid test is conducted if you go for a prenatal check-up, and thyroid levels are checked regularly throughout pregnancy. Early detection and treatment play a pivotal role in maternal and fetal health. Anti-thyroid drugs are prescribed to women and frequent monitoring of thyroid levels is a must.
How Can I Take Charge of Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy?
If you have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, you should immediately seek medical attention, follow the treatment plan strictly, and take a thyroid-friendly diet. Take a lot of care of what you eat. Remember, you are not a single person anymore, there is a tiny life growing inside you that needs the best of nutrients and an adequate amount of hormones from you.
1. Take Your Diet Seriously
Take a balanced diet. Ask your doctor to give you a proper food plan and follow it strictly. It is important to have Iodine in your food as it plays a vital role in making thyroid hormones (5). Your doctor may suggest to you some prenatal vitamins and mineral supplements. Take them as prescribed.
[Read : 10 Dietary Tips For Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy]
2. Include a Light Exercise Routine in Your Daily Schedule
Hypothyroidism leads to weight gain. The bulkier you will get the more tough time you will have during the time of delivery and also the lesser space your fetus will get to grow inside you. So, as important as it is not to overexert yourself, it is equally important to keep your body active. An active body has a better metabolism and in turn, your thyroid glands work better. Don’t forget you are pregnant; do research on the internet about which exercises will help you control your thyroid condition and do them religiously. Keep them light but do them every day (6).
3. Meditation
Your doctor too will suggest that to keep your mind stable and focused in one place, you should do meditation. Research has also proved that meditation helps a lot in improving endocrine health (7). Start by doing it for 10 minutes and then gradually to 45 minutes to an hour, you will see the results in just a matter of few days.
Remember, you can beat hypothyroidism. All you have to do is take good care of yourself.
FAQ’s
1. Can Hypothyroidism Cause Miscarriage?
Studies state that untreated hypothyroidism during pregnancy can lead to the risk of abortions, preterm birth, low birth weight, and congenital thyroid problems in babies.
2. How Can I Manage Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy?
Prompt consultation and timely prenatal appointments and tests can help your doctor evaluate your thyroid status throughout the pregnancy. Your doctors may also suggest a proper diet plan and medications based on their evaluations.
3. Is My Baby At The Risk Of Inheriting My Hypothyroidism?
There is a risk of babies having cognitive developmental issues and getting thyroid at birth. Hence it is important to manage thyroid promptly during pregnancy to avoid such complications.
References
- Hypothyroidism in pregnancy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3354841/]
- Thyroid hormone dysfunction during pregnancy: A review – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5153572/]
- Maternal and fetal complications of the hypothyroidism-related pregnancy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3150006/]
- The relationship between maternal anemia during pregnancy with preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis – [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30522368/]
- The Nutrition Source – [https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/iodine/]
- Effect of aerobic exercises on the thyroid hormones in treated hypothyroid pregnant women – [https://japer.in/storage/models/article/d053Q4gDcfGBC6i8G8qenLKq4XyASf6uSLXZYCiOQqUnzcjvBcNc7ZDQzfeG/effect-of-aerobic-exercises-on-the-thyroid-hormones-in-treated-hypothyroid-pregnant-women.pdf]
- Meditation and Endocrine Health and Wellbeing – [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276020300230]
Read Also: 8 Exercises For Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy
