I am 27 years old and 6.5 weeks pregnant. During my first routine prenatal screening my doctor diagnosed me with underactive thyroid. My TSH level was 11.8, and my free T4 was 13.
She prescribed me 0.05 mg levothyroxine yesterday, which I’ve started taking.
I am concerned about how this untreated condition may have affected my pregnancy for the last 4 weeks. What are the chances of my baby being born with low IQ and other neurological disorders?
Until this test I had no idea I had thyroid disease, and still don’t exhibit any major symptoms.
Any light shed on this would be greatly appreciated.
Answered by: Maria/ MD Health Forum.com Team
The thyroid gland produces hormones known as triiodothyronine (T3) thyroxine (T4) and calcitonin. The cells depend on thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism. The thyroid hormones affect how most of your organs function. Theses hormones regulate the growth and the structure of bones, sexual development and other body functions. If the thyroid is unable to operate properly, this can result to problems in other parts of the body.
Hypothyroidism or under active thyroid is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces inadequate amounts of thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism disturbs the balance of chemical reactions in the body. When the hormones released into the bloodstream is not enough, the body uses up energy more slowly and the cells’ metabolism slow down. The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism depend on the severity of the hormone deficiency. A person with mild hypothyroidism may barely notice its symptoms, however, the effects of low hormone levels become more obvious as the condition progresses. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include: fatigue, weight gain, lethargy, constipation, muscle weakness, heavy menstrual flow, increased sensitivity to cold, brittle hair and fingernails, dry skin and depression.
Thyroid hormones are essential in normal brain development of the fetus. The baby depends solely on the mother for thyroid hormones during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Uncontrolled hypothyroidism have harmful effects on the mother and the fetus. This may result to heart problems, pre-eclampsia, anemia, miscarriage, stillbirth and low birth weight.
It has been found that hypothyroidism occurs in 2.5% of pregnancies. Symptoms of maternal hypothyroidism may be mistaken as expected symptoms of pregnancy and unfortunately be left untreated.
Pregnant women who have under active thyroid should take synthetic thyroxine as prescribed because it is essential for the baby’s well-being. Thyroid function should be closely monitored during pregnancy to find out whether levothyroxine dosage needs to be adjusted.
I understand your that your concerns about the effects of your thyroid dysfunction to your baby’s health. It’s true that babies born to mothers with untreated hypothyroidism have risks for learning difficulties and impaired psycho-motor development, but early detection and treatment may prevent the harmful effects of hypothyroidism on the fetus.
This blog entry is for your general information only.
References:
Lazarus JH; Epidemiology and prevention of thyroid disease in pregnancy. Thyroid. 2002 Oct;12(10):861-5.
Michael B. Harper and E. J. Mayeaux Jr. Thyroid Disease. 2002. Family Medicine: Principles and Practice, 3d ed.
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_endocrin/pregnant.cfm
http://mdhealthforum.com/showthread.php?t=5017&highlight=hypothyroidism+pregnancy
Tags: hypothyroidism, Pregnancy, thyroid
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