Why should pregnant women undergo thyroid function tests?

We also know that it is not easy for every mother to give birth to a baby successfully. Because during pregnancy, there are many issues to pay attention to. Many doctors ask pregnant women to undergo thyroid function tests during pregnancy. So why do we need to do thyroid function tests on pregnant women? This may be a question for many pregnant women, so let us learn about it together!

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 manifested by lack of energy, drowsiness, weight gain, fear of cold, constipation and memory loss. It is caused by a disorder of the body's own immune system, which results 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.

Clinical surveys have shown that children of pregnant women with hypothyroidism have an IQ level reduced by 8.9 to 10.6 and a motor score reduced by 7.6 to 10.0 when they are 5 to 7 years old. Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism increases the incidence of miscarriage, preeclampsia, and placental abruption in pregnant women, and increases the risk of intrauterine growth retardation, small births, etc. in the fetus.

When an expectant mother suffers from hypothyroidism, the fetus will compete with the mother for thyroid hormones. Once the thyroid hormones needed for the fetal brain development are not supplied normally, the fetal brain development will become abnormal, affecting intelligence and growth and development disorders. Hypothyroidism also increases the risk of premature birth, stillbirth and placental abruption. Even if the pregnancy goes smoothly, expectant mothers will face a higher risk of developing postpartum thyroiditis.

The above are the reasons why pregnant women need to do thyroid function tests during pregnancy. In order for pregnant women to give birth to a healthy baby smoothly, expectant mothers should never avoid this examination in order to save a little money. This examination can prevent the occurrence of symptoms such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, and placental abruption. Therefore, this examination is very necessary for pregnant women.