During pregnancy, the mother’s health can affect the developing baby in multiple ways. It is important to ensure her health is in good condition, and balancing her hormones is an important aspect of her overall health. Pregnancy can cause fluctuations in various hormones, including the thyroid hormone. It is important to maintain her thyroid levels for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Thyroid hormone is an important hormone that regulates many functions in the body. It is responsible for the body’s metabolism, growth, development, skin health, bone maintenance, digestion, body temperature, heart rate, mood as well as fertility. Having a balanced thyroid level ensures all these functions are not affected. Too high or too low thyroid levels can impact the body in multiple ways.
The thyroid gland is responsible for producing the thyroid hormone. When too much of the thyroid hormone is produced, it leads to a condition known as hyperthyroidism. When the thyroid hormone levels are too low, it is known as Hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism. Both conditions are not safe if left untreated for a long time. Pregnancy is synonymous with hormone fluctuations, and thyroid fluctuations are quite common during pregnancy.
Thyroid disorders are more common among women than in men, especially during the childbearing age. Pregnancy causes multiple changes in the body and fluctuations in various hormones. Fluctuation of Thyroid hormone during pregnancy is very common and quite manageable.
Today, there are many medications and treatments to help stabilise a pregnant woman’s thyroid levels without letting it have a lasting impact on the mother or the baby.
Fluctuations in the thyroid hormone levels of the expecting mother can impact the pregnancy in multiple ways. Here are some ways in which it can affect the mother’s or baby’s health and the pregnancy’s outcome as such:
● An imbalance of the thyroid hormone can send other hormones out of balance, too. This can have a snowball effect and impact her overall health, which in turn can impact the pregnancy outcome.
● Fluctuations in thyroid levels can affect her metabolism, thus impacting her weight. She may gain too much or too little weight throughout her pregnancy, both of which are not recommended for a safe pregnancy.
● It can also impact her cardiovascular health. While too little thyroid hormone can increase the risk of a heart attack, too much thyroid hormone can cause the heart to beat faster or lead to irregular heartbeat.
● Hypothyroidism and pregnancy can also lead to anaemia, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes.
● Extremely high thyroid levels can lead to diarrhoea, dehydration, high fever, or can even become fatal.
● Thyroid hormone is essential for the baby’s brain development. Low thyroid levels can cause low IQ in the baby.
● Low thyroid levels can impair the development of the baby’s motor skills.
● If the baby inherits Graves’ disease or severe hyperthyroidism from the mother, it can require hospitalisation. In rare cases, it can even be fatal.
● Hypothyroidism can lead to placental abruption, which can endanger the baby’s life or postpartum haemorrhage, which can endanger the mother’s life.
● Excess thyroid hormone or hyperthyroidism can lead to a miscarriage, preterm delivery, stillbirth, or low birth weight.
● Hashimoto Thyroiditis - a condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, thus leading to very low thyroid hormone levels, can even result in loss of pregnancy.
When a woman has hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism during pregnancy, it can affect the baby and the pregnancy itself. The only option to maintain healthy thyroid levels is through medications. Are thyroid medicines safe during pregnancy?
Some medications are not safe when used throughout the pregnancy. Some medications can cause birth defects in the baby. For this purpose, doctors might prescribe this medication only in the second trimester after the crucial developments in the baby are completed. Doctors might switch back and forth between certain thyroid medications based on your thyroid levels and the impact the medicines have on you. It is important to strictly follow the prescription and go for regular check-ups. Self-medication should be avoided at all costs.
If you are experiencing fluctuations in your thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy, here are a few tips to help you maintain the levels:
● Diet – Small changes in the diet can help in a big way. Coconut oil and primrose oil can help balance TSH levels – the hormone responsible for stimulating thyroid hormone production. Foods like broccoli, kale, and cabbage can increase the thyroid levels. So, if you have hypothyroidism, you can add these to your diet, and if you are suffering from hyperthyroidism, it is best to avoid these foods. Eggs, carrots, and almonds can also help regulate the thyroid levels.
● Exercise—Regular exercise can help keep hormonal levels in balance. Get your doctor’s approval before you start exercising during pregnancy.
● Lifestyle—Adapting good lifestyle habits can not only balance thyroid levels but also improve health during pregnancy. Reducing stress, getting sufficient sleep, avoiding toxins, and getting regular check-ups with your doctor can help monitor thyroid levels.
Thyroid hormone is very important for both mother and baby. Excess or too little thyroid hormone during pregnancy can have lasting effects on the baby. It is essential to regularly check thyroid levels and ensure they are in balance throughout the pregnancy.
● Hyperthyroidism can lead to rapid heartbeat in the mother and cause miscarriage, low birth weight, preterm delivery, or even stillbirth. In severe cases, it can lead to Graves’ disease in both mother and baby.
● Too high or too low thyroid levels can be fatal if left untreated during pregnancy. Some of the common effects are excess weight gain or weight loss, low IQ in baby, can cause preterm delivery, or low birth weight in the baby. It can also cause gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and other complications in the mother.
● Hypothyroidism can cause excess weight gain, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, anaemia, placental abruption, or excess postpartum haemorrhage. It can affect the baby’s brain development and lead to low IQ.
