Pregnancy and Hypothyroidism

It is not uncommon for women to suffer from hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Some women enter the pregnancy with the condition, while others develop it during or after pregnancy.

Mother and Baby: Effects of Hypothyroidism
Undiagnosed hypothyroidism can lead to complications for mother and baby during and after the pregnancy. Mothers may experience preeclampsia or suffer from a miscarriage. In addition, low birth weight or even stillbirth is a possibility. Babies born of untreated hypothyroid mothers can experience decreased motor function and slower motor development.

If you are planning a pregnancy and have a family history of hypothyroidism or are experiencing symptoms, talk to your doctor about thyroid screening. Even women who are borderline or sub-clinical (not within laboratory range, but in the low normal range) or who have positive antibodies (autoimmune thyroid condition) should speak to their doctors about thyroid screening and medications.

Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy
If you enter a pregnancy with hypothyroidism, your doctor may re-test your levels to make sure they are appropriate. If you are already taking thyroid medication, your dose may increase by nearly 50% during pregnancy to account for the baby’s needs. Your baby may need additional thyroid hormone until its thyroid is fully grown which typically occurs at about 12 weeks of gestation.

After birth, you will most likely return to your pre-pregnancy medication dose immediately or within a few weeks to a few months.

Symptoms While Pregnant
Because your thyroid hormones will be in greater demand while pregnant, speak to your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing. Whether pregnant or not, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will be similar and may include exhaustion and fatigue, cold intolerance, memory problems, constipation or joint pain. Though these are common pregnancy-related symptoms, they can also signal the onset of hypothyroidism. Your doctor will run other diagnostic tests to rule out or diagnose the presence of a thyroid condition.

Treatment While Pregnant
Treatment for hypothyroidism for pregnant and non-pregnant women is the same; however, thyroid hormone levels can fluctuate during pregnancy and may need to be monitored more closely. Medication is often adjusted periodically as TSH levels are tested throughout the pregnancy.

Your physician will determine the best course of treatment for you and your pregnancy.

Source:
American Thyroid Association. (2005). Thyroid Disease and Pregnancy [Brochure]. Retrieved from
http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Thyroid_Dis_Pregnancy_broch.pdf

Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy. (n.d.). Beaumont Health System. Retrieved October 6, 2011 from
http://www.beaumont.edu/health-library/P00426

Management of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and postpartum: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. (n.d.). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Retrieved October 11, 2011 from
http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=11283

Pregnancy and Thyroid Disease. (n.d.). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Retrieved October 6, 2011 from
http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/pregnancy/