Thyroid problems in pregnancy effects fertility: signs and measures to be taken
Thyroid hormones are required and a prerequisite for every woman for the normal fetus development in the first 3 months of pregnancy. These thyroid hormones are responsible for developing the baby’s neurological and brain nervous systems. Even women without thyroid disease before places stress during the pregnancy stage.
Why thyroid problems in pregnancy effects fertility?
During the first trimester of pregnancy, there requires excessive production of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones. Because during this period your baby needs to develop the thyroid gland which is capable of producing its own hormones. So your baby depends on your thyroid hormone supply which will be delivered through the placenta.
After the first trimester of pregnancy i.e 12 to 13 weeks, the thyroid gland is developed in your baby. Your baby is capable of producing some hormones and also continues to get hormone supply from you through the placenta. Especially during pregnancy, there will increase in demand for the
supply of thyroid hormones until the baby is born.
Well, due to some additional production of thyroid hormones in pregnancy causes your thyroid gland to grow which is not noticeable. Once you consult the doctor for the treatment he will feel some swelling or changes in your thyroid gland(goiter). Because the normal functioning of the thyroid gland is different during the pregnancy.
Your TSH levels in pregnancy may change form first trimester to the third trimester which will be notified through blood tests periodically. If you are suffering from thyroid disease then TSH test should be taken to measure your thyroid-stimulating hormones in your blood.
The most ideal way is to diagnose and treat your thyroid disease before conception. If you are treated with hypothyroidism and got pregnant you should consult your doctor before proceeding further. Because the doctor may help you to increase the thyroid hormone necessary during pregnancy. He will check and give the dosage according to the requirement.
The doctor checks with the blood tests and increases the dosage of thyroid hormones replacement as soon as you confirmed with pregnancy.
Thyroid issues during pregnancy.
Once you are confirmed with pregnancy you need to take out many tests so as to give birth a healthy child. One may notice many thyroid problems in pregnancy. Because different types of thyroids have different issues in managing while pregnancy.
Generally, there is two pregnancy-related hormone such as estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) which leads to a rise in your TSH levels.
The hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are made possible which should be monitored before, in and after the pregnancy. It might be a bit hardened to treat the thyroid disease but consult a doctor for medications.
Hypothyroidism during pregnancy:
Thyroid mainly affects your fertility once you’re confirmed. So the thyroid problems in pregnancy should be treated very carefully. Your thyroid treatment plan should be followed by regular check-ups. If your thyroid cannot produce enough thyroid hormones during pregnancy TSH levels will drop. Thereby indicating underactive thyroid state(Hypothyroidism). If this condition is untreated or not treated properly results in miscarriage, developmental issues in your child etc will be seen.
So as to resolve the thyroid problems in pregnancy, your doctor should recommend you to use proper dosage for thyroid hormone replacement. The TSH level should be below 2.5 mIU/L to lower the risk of high TSH in the first trimester. It is always best to use the Synthroid(levothyroxine) drug which mimics with the production of the T4 hormone. It is safe for your pregnancy as well as your child.
You need to take thyroid tests for every 4 weeks in the first half pregnancy so as to maintain good tsh levels. After delivery, you need to reduce the dosage following the six weeks of observation. According to the reports after 6 weeks of delivery, you need to reduce the dosages. Because overdose during normal women may affect your health condition.
Symptoms may vary from type of thyroid disease.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism while pregnant:
The symptoms of hypothyroidism while pregnant may mimic with normal pregnancy. They include:
- Observe extreme tiredness and weight gain
- Constipation and difficulty in concentrating.
- Memory problems
- Sensitivity to cold temperatures and muscle cramps are observed.
Hyperthyroidism while pregnancy:
If you are facing lower TSH levels than normal then it is considered to be overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism. Pregnant women with hyperthyroidism feel more sickness during the morning time. The main reason for the cause of this disease is the autoimmune thyroid disorder or the thyroid nodule. Your doctor checks your condition based on the physical examination, medical history, signs, symptoms and blood tests.
An elevated level of HCG causes hyperthyroidism. Your doctor will check your TT4, TT3, TF4 and TSH levels for treating properly.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism while pregnant:
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:
- Irregular heartbeat condition, sensitivity to hot temperatures, fatigue etc.
- Feeling nervousness and shaking hands.
- Finds trouble at sleeping nad may observe weight loss beyond than expected during pregnancy.
Conclusion:
Well, I think you had got enough information on the thyroid problems in pregnancy that affects fertility. If you are thyroid patient no need to worry take proper treatment and make your diet filled with plenty of iodine. Because iodine helps for building the production of thyroid hormones in your body. When you are pregnant you need to requires more supply of thyroid hormones for both you and your baby. So consume the dietary having more iodine content.
Pregnant women should take at least 250 mcg of iodine every day. If you are taking the levothyroxine for your hypothyroidism than there is no need to take the iodine.
Since thyroid disease affects your pregnancy you need to closely monitor all the trimesters of your pregnancy under the supervision of the doctor.
