Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy

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Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy

• Contact us
• Miami Obstetrics and Gynecology [phone]
• appointment_at_miami-obgyn.com http//www.miami-obg
  yn.com

2
Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy

• The thyroid is a large gland located in the neck
  that is responsible for hormone growth and
  regulation, which means that any thyroid disorder
  can throw a lot of things in your body out of
  whack.
• This is especially true if you have a thyroid
  disease, such as hyperthyroidism or
  hypothyroidism, when pregnant.

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Hyperthyroidism

• Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, is a
  condition in which the thyroid gland produces too
  many hormones. During pregnancy, hyperthyroidism
  raises the risks of miscarriage, preterm labor,
  low birth weight babies, stillbirths and
  pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.
• Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include increased
  heart rate, sensitivity to heat, fatigue,
  irregular heartbeat, weight loss or low weight
  gain during pregnancy, nausea and vomiting.

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Hyperthyroidism - Symptoms

• Because symptoms of hyperthyroidism are similar
  to those many women experience in the first
  trimester of pregnancy, diagnosing it can be
  difficult. Generally though, doctors base their
  diagnoses on high levels of thyroid hormones, T3
  and T4, and a low level of thyroid stimulating
  hormone (TSH).

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Hyperthyroidism - Causes

• Hyperthyroidism is usually caused by one of four
  things
• Graves disease, an autoimmune disease
• A goiter, which can cause the thyroid to produce
  excessive amounts of hormones
• Inflammation of the thyroid
• Consumption of too much iodine
• In pregnant women, high levels of hCF, which is
  seen in severe forms of morning sickness , can
  also cause hyperthyroidism.
• Treatment of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy is
  usually an anti-thyroid medication

6
Hypothyroidism

• Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is a
  condition in which the thyroid gland has
  abnormally low activity, which can result in
  growth and development retardation in children
  and adults.

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Hypothyroidism - Symptoms

• Symptoms of hypothyroidism include
• Fatigue, sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry
  skin, weight gain, puffy face, muscle weakness,
  elevated blood cholesterol, pain, stiffness or
  swelling in joints, muscle aches, thinning hair,
  heavy or irregular periods, depression, slowed
  heart rate or impaired memory.
• To diagnose hypothyroidism, doctors will perform
  a physical exam and order blood tests to measure
  the levels of TSH and T4, hormones produced by
  the thyroid.

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Hypothyroidism - Causes

• Hypothyroidism is most common in middle-aged or
  older women, and can be caused by a number of
  conditions, including
• An autoimmune disease which affects the thyroids
  ability to produce hormones.
• Treatment for hyperthyroidism for when the
  thyroid is too active. Treatment for
  hyperthyroidism sometimes results in the opposite
  extreme.
• Thyroid surgery, radiation therapy and certain
  medications.

9
Hypothyroidism - Treatment

• Hypothyroidism is usually treated with a
  synthetic hormone which is similar to the hormone
  T4 made by the thyroid. If you are being treated
  for hypothyroidism during pregnancy, your doctor
  will monitor your thyroid function and perform
  tests every 4-6 weeks.

10
Pregnancy as a Cause

• Another cause of both hyperthyroidism and
  hypothyroidism is pregnancy itself. During
  pregnancy, some women produce antibodies that
  act against their own thyroid gland. Both
  diseases must be treated during pregnancy if
  not, they can lead to miscarriage, premature
  delivery and preeclampsia, and can also affect
  the development of the fetus, as well as child
  development after birth.

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Treatment of Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy

• If you experience any of the symptoms of
  hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, make an
  appointment with your doctor, whether you are
  pregnant or not. Women who are not pregnant but
  suffer from thyroid disease still need to be
  treated. Women who are being treated for thyroid
  disease and then become pregnant should speak
  with their endocrinologists and OBGYNs, as their
  treatment may need to be modified.

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Postpartum Thyroiditis

• After a woman gives birth, another thyroid
  condition can arise, termed postpartum
  thyroiditis. This condition is an inflammation of
  the thyroid and can involve hyperthyroidism,
  hypothyroidism or both. Postpartum thyroiditis
  occurs in 5-10 of women in the U.S. and
  treatment depends on the phase of thyroiditis and
  the severity of the symptoms.
• If you feel something is off after you give
  birth, and think that its not just the regular
  postpartum lack of energy or moodiness, speak to
  your doctor. Postpartum thyroiditis might just be
  the culprit.

13
Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy

• Contact us
• Miami Obstetrics and Gynecology [phone]
• appointment_at_miami-obgyn.com http//www.miami-obg
  yn.com