Introduction:
Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy is a condition when the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormones and creates an imbalance.
The thyroid hormone is responsible for regulating metabolism, energy levels and mood, all of which support a healthy pregnancy for the mother.
What is hyperthyroidism in pregnancy?
Hyperthyroidism, as the name suggests, “hyper,” meaning over or excessive. So, hyperthyroidism refers to the thyroid gland producing excessive thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism speeds up the body’s metabolism, causing symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, increased appetite, feeling anxious and weight loss.
Hyperthyroidism pregnancy complications can pose serious risks in women, such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, and preterm birth.
This condition can also affect the baby’s development and hence careful management is essential for both the mother and the baby.
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy?
Some hyperthyroidism during pregnancy symptoms
- High blood pressure
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shaky hands
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Nervousness or irritability
- Weight loss or lack of weight gain during pregnancy
- Sensitivity to heat
- Insomnia
- Frequent bowel movements or diarrhoea
What causes hyperthyroidism in pregnancy?
Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy is mainly caused by an autoimmune disorder named Graves’ disease.
This disease wrongly stimulates the thyroid gland to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.
In some cases, women experience Graves’ disease for the first time during pregnancy.
Meanwhile, women already dealing with this condition may notice their symptoms in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
Other potential causes of hyperthyroidism are benign growths on the thyroid gland, which produce excess hormones. Yet, it is rare and affects only people below 40.
Lastly, rising hCG levels can sometimes cause temporary hyperthyroidism, but don’t worry. These cases are usually resolved by the end of the first trimester.
How to Diagnose Hyperthyroidism in Pregnancy?
To diagnose hyperthyroidism in pregnancy, first your doctor physically examines your body and does blood tests to check the thyroid hormone levels.
If the test report shows high levels of free thyroxine (FT4) or free triiodothyronine (FT3) and low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), it indicates you are dealing with hyperthyroidism during pregnancy.
In some cases, the patient might be diagnosed with subclinical hyperthyroidism, which is a mild form of hyperthyroidism where thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is low but thyroid hormone levels (FT4 and FT3) are still within the normal range.
How does hyperthyroidism affect pregnancy?
When treated properly, hyperthyroidism during pregnancy can be managed well without much impact on the health of the mother and the baby.
Some of the potential risks for the pregnant mother are
- Preeclampsia
- Placental abruption
- Hypertension
- Heart failure
- Thyroid storm
Some of the complications for the baby are:
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Thyroid conditions
- Goitre
When to consult a doctor ?
Thyroid test will be done for every pregnant mother as a routine pregnancy test.
If you are diagnosed with hyperthyroid and experiencing any symptoms such as fever, skin yellowing or whites of the eyes, mild pain in the abdomen, or a sore throat, consult the doctor.
Management of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy
Hyperthyroidism is often treated with antithyroid medication to reduce thyroid hormone production.
Usually, the antithyroid medication dosage for pregnancy differs from person to person and the dosage might also change with each trimester.
If the pregnant woman is allergic to medications or has a large goiter, surgery is done to remove the thyroid gland.
Conclusion
Managing hyperthyroidism during pregnancy is crucial for the health of both mother and baby.
Hyperthyroidism usually peaks in the first trimester, considering the pregnant woman is suffering from Grave’s disease. But it can be handled.
With early diagnosis, consistent monitoring and taking appropriate treatment can significantly reduce hyperthyroidism and pregnancy risks.
Most women with hyperthyroidism can have safe and healthy pregnancies. Plus, the right treatment can protect their babies from any complications related to this condition.
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Jammi Scans is one of the best gynecology clinics and scanning centers located in T Nagar, Chennai.
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FAQs
1. Can hyperthyroidism cause a false negative pregnancy test?
Medical conditions such as thyroid issues may not directly cause a false negative pregnancy test.
Pregnancy tests, especially those that you do at home, are designed to detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your urine, which is only produced during pregnancy.
But the timing of ovulation and implantation can vary and can affect when hCG is first produced and detectable by a home pregnancy test. This can result in false negatives.
2. What foods reduce hyperthyroidism?
Apart from medications, if you want to manage hyperthyroidism, you can intake certain foods that are proven to be beneficial. This includes:
- Low-iodine foods such as egg whites, potatoes, and oats
- Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale
- Spices such as turmeric, black pepper, turmeric
- Healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil, and sunflower oil.
- Vitamin- and mineral-rich food that includes:
3. Can thyroid conditions be passed from a mother to her baby?
If a pregnant woman is dealing with Grave’s disease, an autoimmune disorder, there is a chance for the thyroid from the mother to affect the baby if left untreated.
It’s because certain antibodies related to the condition can pass from the mother to the baby and affect the baby’s thyroid and trigger the baby’s thyroid gland to produce excess thyroid hormone.
It can result in complications such as preterm birth or severe cases and put the baby’s life in danger.
4. Can we drink milk in hyperthyroidism?
Milk is rich in calcium and can be included in the diet if you have hyperthyroidism. It’s because hyperthyroidism can increase calcium loss from bones and result in osteoporosis and bone weakness. To help manage, you must consume calcium-rich foods like milk and dairy to support bone strength.
However, it’s not recommended to drink whole milk as it is high in fat. People with hyperthyroidism may have poor fat digestion, and they quickly get affected.
5. Can I get pregnant with hyperthyroidism?
A woman with a hyperthyroidism condition can get pregnant, even though the condition may affect her menstrual cycle and hormone balance.
However, managing hyperthyroidism is highly important to help prevent any potential complications, especially during pregnancy.
6. Is thyroid curable after pregnancy?
In many cases, thyroid conditions that occur during pregnancy, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can improve after childbirth.
Postpartum hypothyroidism, which often develops after pregnancy, typically resolves on its own within 12 to 18 months with proper treatment and medication.
However, in some cases, the condition can prevail and the mother might require further treatments and medications.
