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The effect of hormones on female reproductive health is immense. One organ that is responsible for manufacturing multiple hormones that impact various life processes is the thyroid gland. While it does help maintain the body’s metabolism and other functions, it also plays a very important role in pregnancy. 

 

It should not come as a surprise then that any disruption in the normal functioning of the thyroid gland can affect not just the conception but also regulate several foetal functions. It is possible that the gland starts producing less or more than the necessary amounts of the hormones it does. If this happens during pregnancy, it can lead to many unpleasant scenarios. So let’s try to understand what this tiny organ is and how it affects the health of a pregnant mother and her child. 

What is thyroid gland? 

It is a tiny, butterfly shaped organ located in front of the neck below the Adam’s apple. An organ that secretes hormones or chemicals required for the normal functioning of your body is called a gland. 

 

Hormones released by the thyroid gland help in maintaining the metabolic rate, heart rate, control blood flow and use of oxygen by cells. Among young children, it is also responsible for the growth rate, and in brain development of the foetus. Besides, it also directly affects sleep, sexual health and mood. 

The dysfunctions

Besides producing an abnormal amount of hormones, the thyroid gland may be affected by other conditions. Goitre is caused when the thyroid swells up, most commonly due to iodine deficiency but can also be a result of an infection or some autoimmune diseases. A condition called postpartum thyroiditis can also occur after childbirth in some women which usually goes away on its own. 

Hyperthyroidism  

This is the condition wherein the body produces an excess of thyroid hormones, causing all bodily functions managed by them to speed up.  Sometimes, pregnancy hormones like estrogen can cause the thyroid levels in the body to rise. Usually, the effects of the autoimmune disease called Graves’s disease that causes hyperthyroidism is first experienced during pregnancy. 

Hypothyroidism

The condition in which the body produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormones resulting in the slowing down of several essential body functions. It is often caused by Hashimoto’s disease wherein antibodies assume the thyroid gland to be a threat and start attacking it resulting in lower production of hormones.

 

The problem is that the diseases are manifested through symptoms that are the same as conditions associated with a normal pregnancy. These include severe nausea, increase in weight, increased heart rate, hot flashes and fatigue. Usually, doctors recommend pregnant women at risk of acquiring thyroid problems to undergo lab tests to monitor the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and other thyroid hormones in their body to be completely sure about the absence of a dysfunction. 

Possible complications 

The baby’s thyroid gland does not develop or start functioning until the third trimester. This means that during the majority of the gestation period, the foetus will depend on the mother’s thyroid gland to perform well. If the dysfunction is not diagnosed and treated, some of the following complications may occur: 

• Preeclampsia (severe increase in blood pressure) 

• Anemia

• Separation of placenta from the uterus wall

• Cardiac arrest

• Premature birth 

• Low birth weight 

• Miscarriage or still birth 

• Baby being born with thyroid problems 

Managing the situation

Since it’s work is so important for the proper growth and development of the child, managing and malfunctioning of the thyroid gland in an expectant mother becomes very important.

Monitoring: 

It is wise to keep an eye on the thyroid levels of the mother on a regular basis if she has a thyroid disease. 

Medication: 

Your doctor might prescribe certain medicines that are safe to be administered during pregnancy to manage your thyroid levels if you have severe thyroid disease. If you have had the condition before becoming pregnant and have been taking medicines for it, it is wise to discuss the medication, dosage and other details with your healthcare provider. 

 

In order to treat hyperthyroidism, small doses of medicines that block the production of thyroid hormones are given to the patient. To compensate for lower production of the hormones, medicines containing the missing hormones might be prescribed. 

Iodine therapy: 

In case of hypothyroidism, doctors usually also suggest increasing the intake of dietary iodine. A pregnant woman’s recommended daily allowance of iodine is 250 micrograms a day. Good sources of iodine include iodised salt, seafood, poultry, eggs and meat. 

 

Radioactive iodine therapy that is the usual route of treating Graves’ disease is not recommended for pregnant women. It is known to lead to bad outcomes for the health of the baby. 

Surgery: 

In rare cases, the thyroid gland may be surgically removed. The required amount of thyroid hormones are administered externally to such women. 

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