When should pregnant women check their thyroid function?

Thyroid function test is also a very important examination item, because it can effectively infer whether the patient has thyroid problems. Under normal circumstances, women should go to the hospital for a thyroid function test before choosing to get pregnant, because abnormal thyroid function development will affect the normal development of the fetus. So when do pregnant women usually have their thyroid function checked during pregnancy?

When should I check my thyroid function during pregnancy?

Generally, it is best to test thyroid function once before pregnancy. If there is no abnormality, there is generally no need to check again during pregnancy. If you have not done a thyroid function test before pregnancy, it is still necessary to do it once after pregnancy. There is no rule of “can or cannot” for the examination; you can do it as long as you want.

How to check thyroid function

Usually when preparing for pregnancy, you need to check your thyroid function by taking a blood test in the morning on an empty stomach without eating. Even if you are pregnant, you can still check your thyroid function without food or water for more than 8 hours. It is mainly used to prevent abnormal thyroid function from affecting the development of the fetus. If hypothyroidism can lead to intellectual maldevelopment of the fetus, hyperthyroidism can easily lead to miscarriage, so it is better for everyone to get checked. If any abnormality is found, timely measures should be taken and cooperate with the doctor for treatment.

Thyroid function tests are very important for women. When should you check your thyroid function during pregnancy? If you want to check it after pregnancy, you can go at any time. There are also many things to pay attention to before the examination. If everything is normal after the examination, then that's good. If not, you should actively cooperate with the doctor and follow the doctor's advice and guidance. After that, you should pay attention to nutritional supplements, have regular prenatal check-ups, and supplement any nutritional deficiencies found in your baby in a timely manner. You should also ensure adequate sleep and rest.

Why should pregnant women undergo thyroid function tests?

The thyroid gland is called the "engine of the body". It affects the body's energy metabolism activities by secreting appropriate amounts of thyroid hormones. Among thyroid diseases, the more common ones are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are quite obvious, including bulging eyes, increased appetite, abnormal weight loss, etc. Hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid, is characterized by lack of energy, drowsiness, weight gain, intolerance to cold, constipation, and memory loss.

The body's own immune system is out of balance, resulting in the body not having enough thyroid hormone, causing the energy metabolism level in other parts and organs to weaken. Because the early symptoms of hypothyroidism are relatively hidden, similar to the so-called "sub-health" state, it is often easy to miss examinations and treatments.

Experts say that thyroid function tests are very necessary for the following reasons:

Before 20 weeks of pregnancy, the fetal thyroid function is not yet fully developed, and the fetal thyroid hormone mainly depends on the mother's supply. The mother's thyroid stimulating antibodies (TSAb) can stimulate the fetal thyroid through the placenta and cause fetal or neonatal hyperthyroidism. Thyroid hormone deficiency in pregnant women can lead to intellectual development disorders in offspring.