What is the use of thyroid function test in pregnant women

Ensuring the baby's health needs to start when the baby is still in the mother's belly, which is what we often call the function of prenatal check-ups. Not only can you check whether the new mother's physical signs are in line with the state of expecting delivery, but you can also do a basic check on the baby's physical health in the early stages. Pregnancy check-ups have a cycle and include many examination items, thyroid function test is one of them. What is the use of thyroid function tests for pregnant women?

Is it necessary to do the three thyroid function tests during pregnancy? This is probably a question that many expectant mothers who are undergoing pregnancy checkups will ask. Because for many pregnant mothers, they have done a series of physical examinations before pregnancy, which means that their bodies are suitable for pregnancy. They have to do these examinations again during pregnancy. Is it that the hospital deliberately prescribes these examinations to charge fees? It is estimated that many pregnant mothers will have such an idea. But in fact, during pregnancy, the three thyroid function tests are necessary examination items, mainly to further test the health of the mother. Let’s learn more about the details below.

Thyroid function test, abbreviated as Thyroid function, is a set of test items that mainly reflects the secretory ability of the thyroid gland through the levels of thyroid-related hormones in the blood. According to the difference in the test contents, it can usually be divided into three thyroid function items (thyroid-stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine), five thyroid function items (three thyroid function items and triiodothyronine, thyroxine) and seven thyroid function items (five thyroid function items and thyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies).

Hyperthyroidism may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage, premature birth, and fetal malformation;

If the mother has hyperthyroidism or thyroiditis, she may secrete too much thyroid hormone, leading to developmental disorders or obstacles, which require timely medical treatment.

Hypothyroidism may cause serious consequences such as fetal growth retardation, organ and intellectual development disorders.

In the early stages of pregnancy, the fetus's thyroid gland has not yet formed or is not fully functional, and cannot secrete enough thyroid hormone to maintain fetal development. The mother needs to provide a certain amount of thyroid hormone. At this time, if the mother suffers from hypothyroidism, she will not be able to provide enough effective hormones to the fetus.

What needs attention is that patients with mild or early hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism during pregnancy may not feel any discomfort and can only be discovered by going to the hospital for thyroid function tests. Therefore, it is very necessary to do thyroid function test when preparing for pregnancy or just getting pregnant!

According to the special recommendation of the "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases in China", women who are preparing for pregnancy or in early pregnancy can undergo thyroid function tests to detect or rule out diseases such as hypothyroidism, thyroiditis or hyperthyroidism as soon as possible, which is beneficial to the normal development of the fetus.

The best time to have your thyroid function tested is during pregnancy planning and when you first discover you are pregnant (within 6-8 weeks of pregnancy).

For women who have never had a thyroid function test before, a more comprehensive test should be conducted. It is best to test all seven thyroid function items. If they are all normal, they can rest assured to become pregnant or continue the pregnancy. If there are abnormalities, the doctor will provide appropriate treatment and management based on the condition. After a certain period of treatment, the doctor will ask the patient to undergo a thyroid function reexamination. At this time, only one or several of the items need to be tested in a targeted manner. Among them, the three thyroid function tests are the more frequently used reexamination items. For patients whose thyroid-related antibody levels have been clear, the three thyroid function tests are sufficient to reflect the main aspects of thyroid function. However, for patients who have never had their thyroid function checked or have not had it checked for a long time, it would be safer to first undergo a comprehensive examination (seven items of thyroid function).

In fact, pregnant mothers cannot be careless at all when it comes to pregnancy checkups. They must do all the necessary checkups, not only considering themselves, but more importantly the impact on the child. In addition, for the future growth of your child, please remember to preserve his or her umbilical cord blood when the child is born. This is a "talisman" for the child's future life safety. Preserving it is the greatest protection for the child's health.