What is subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant women?

After clinical hypothyroidism occurs in pregnant women, the thyroid gland of pregnant women will not be able to secrete more thyroid hormone, so the body's demand for thyroid hormone cannot be met, resulting in various symptoms caused by lack of thyroid hormone. In fact, subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant women can mainly lead to two major thyroid problems. The first is insufficient thyroid hormone synthesis, and the second is thyroid hormone release disorder.

Especially in pregnant women, subclinical hypothyroidism will lead to a corresponding decrease in thyroid hormone, which will produce many chain reactions. For example, the decrease in thyroid hormone will inevitably lead to feedback inhibition of thyroid stimulating hormone, causing increased thyroid stimulating hormone. Elevated thyroid stimulating hormone stimulates thyroid enlargement, hyperplasia and compensatory thyroid hormone release, so that blood thyroid hormone returns to normal. However, this is the normal thyroid hormone maintained under high thyroid stimulating hormone levels.

Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant women has some characteristics, and thyroid hormone levels are normal after suffering from this disease. Therefore, clinically, there are no other symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism except thyroid enlargement. Thyroid enlargement is related to subclinical hypothyroidism thyrotropin level.

It is important to pay special attention to the fact that subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant women can increase the probability of miscarriage and may also limit the normal intellectual development of the fetus, which may lead to the birth of mentally retarded children. For those who have a family history of thyroid disease, it is important to undergo necessary prenatal examinations before becoming pregnant to avoid subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy that may hinder fetal development.