What to do if you have hypothyroidism during early pregnancy

Hypothyroidism is a very common disease. Some women experience drowsiness, lack of energy, and edema in the early stages of pregnancy. Most pregnant women think it is an early pregnancy reaction and do not take it seriously. They do not get checked in time and only discover they have hypothyroidism when the cause of the disease worsens. Hypothyroidism is very harmful to pregnant women and fetuses and requires active treatment. Hypothyroidism will affect the baby's health.

What to do if you have hypothyroidism in early pregnancy?

1. Regardless of whether the patient has hypothyroidism before pregnancy or is diagnosed with hypothyroidism after pregnancy, TSH and FT4 should be measured once every 4 to 6 weeks, and the amount of thyroid hormone should be adjusted according to the levels of TSH and FT4. In addition, as the gestational age increases, the body's demand for thyroid hormone also increases, and timely adjustments should be made to ensure the normal development of the fetus.

2. After giving birth, pregnant women with hypothyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism will gradually return to their pre-pregnancy levels. Therefore, thyroid function should be checked every 4 to 6 weeks. If TSH is maintained within the normal range, it is safe for hypothyroid women to breastfeed. The amount of thyroid hormone secreted into breast milk during breastfeeding is not enough to cause hyperthyroidism in the infant or inhibit TSH secretion. Therefore, patients with hypothyroidism during pregnancy and breastfeeding can rest assured.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism during pregnancy

1. Musculoskeletal system: muscle weakness, pain, and stiffness, which may be accompanied by joint diseases such as chronic arthritis.

2. Neuropsychiatric system: memory loss, mental retardation, drowsiness, slow reaction, anxiety, dizziness, headache, tinnitus, deafness, nystagmus, ataxia, slow tendon reflexes, prolonged Achilles tendon reflex relaxation period. In severe cases, dementia, stupor, and even coma may occur.

3. Pale complexion, swollen eyelids and cheeks, dull expression, dry, thickened, rough and scaly skin all over the body, non-pitting edema, hair loss, sallow hands and feet, weight gain, and a few patients have thick and brittle nails.

In fact, if hypothyroidism is diagnosed during pregnancy, there is a risk of miscarriage. Therefore, every pregnant mother must do a good job of pregnancy checkup before preparing to conceive a new life to provide her baby with a healthy and comfortable growth environment. However, the editor would like to remind everyone that if hypothyroidism occurs in early pregnancy, there is no need to worry too much. Just check regularly and welcome the baby in the best condition.