What causes hypothyroidism during pregnancy?

Pregnant women are prone to some diseases during pregnancy, one of which is hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism refers to a condition caused by iodine deficiency in pregnant women. This is not a special disease, but women in special periods should pay special attention to it. So, why are pregnant women very prone to hypothyroidism? Let’s find out together.

Why are pregnant women very prone to hypothyroidism? What causes hypothyroidism during pregnancy?

Screening for hypothyroidism by collecting blood to measure TSH is currently recommended, especially in women over the age of 40, as hypothyroidism is more common during and after menopause. In addition, pregnant women are more likely to develop hypothyroidism than ordinary people. Screening for hypothyroidism in the early stages of pregnancy is not only helpful in preventing health problems for the mother, but also helps prevent health problems for offspring.

If a woman who has given birth within 6 months shows symptoms that may be hypothyroidism, she must be checked and ruled out for hypothyroidism. Since thyroiditis may occur during this period after childbirth and cause abnormalities in thyroid hormone, it may first cause a short-term hyperactivity of thyroid hormone, followed by hypothyroidism.

Thyroid disease is the second most common disease in the endocrine industry, with female patients being 7 times more than male patients. 15% of women over 40 years old suffer from thyroid disease, but its cure rate in my country is less than 1%. While many people have some understanding of hyperthyroidism, they know very little about hypothyroidism.

What should pregnant women do if they have hypothyroidism?

1. Find the cause of the disease

Before treatment, you must first have a clear understanding of the cause of hypothyroidism. If the symptoms are caused by iodine deficiency in the patient's body, iodine supplementation should be carried out; if hypothyroidism is caused by drugs, the drugs that cause hypothyroidism should be stopped. Treating the causes of hypothyroidism is of great significance for the treatment of hypothyroidism symptoms.

2. Hormone therapy

Once a pregnant woman is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, she should immediately supplement with a certain amount of exogenous levothyroxine to ensure the mother's supply of thyroid hormone to the fetus in the early stages of pregnancy, taking into account the fetus's need for thyroid hormone during the rapid puberty development of the first brain.

If hypothyroidism has been diagnosed before pregnancy: It is best to control the blood cell TSH to below 2.5 mIU/L through medication before considering pregnancy. During successful pregnancy, the dosage should also be adjusted under the guidance of a doctor.

If hypothyroidism is diagnosed after pregnancy: medication treatment should be started immediately, and the blood cell TSH should be controlled below 2.5 mIU/L as soon as possible. The sooner TSH reaches the qualified level, the less impact of gestational hypothyroidism on the brain growth and development of the fetus.

The process of pregnancy is very difficult for pregnant women. Not only do they have to bear the hardships of childbirth, but they also suffer from many diseases. Although hypothyroidism is a minor illness caused by iodine deficiency, it still requires our attention. Eat more iodine-containing foods, follow the doctor's advice, and regulate your body's elements, and pregnant women will have a healthier physique.