What is a pregnancy thyroid function test?

Thyroid function tests during pregnancy are also a screening of thyroid function during pregnancy. The thyroid gland is the most important organ in the human body. It mainly controls the secretion of hormones and iodine in the body. It also has a great connection with the digestive tract and nervous system. Thyroid function tests during pregnancy can mainly detect thyroid diseases during pregnancy, and can also check the growth of the fetus. Thyroid function tests during pregnancy do not affect the health of the fetus.

What is a pregnancy thyroid function test?

Before talking about thyroid function screening, let’s first understand the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is an important endocrine organ in the human body and is known as the "engine of the body." Its main function is to condense iodine throughout the body, synthesize and secrete thyroid hormones, and affect important systems such as the cardiovascular, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems.

Thyroid diseases during pregnancy include hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, positive thyroid autoantibodies (TPOAb), hyperthyroidism during pregnancy, etc.

Many people are relatively unfamiliar with these pregnancy diseases. In fact, the harm of thyroid disease during pregnancy to mother and baby is no less than that of common pregnancy diseases such as gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes.

My thyroid gland is not abnormal at ordinary times. Do I need to do screening during pregnancy?

"So even if there are no abnormalities or symptoms in the thyroid gland at other times, is it necessary to do a screening?" Director Zhang Hua nodded affirmatively. According to epidemiological survey data

Many pregnant women have abnormal thyroid function, increased levels of autoantibodies such as thyroid peroxidase, and potential insufficient thyroid function reserves. However, these women usually behave normally and do not have any symptoms. However, pregnancy is a severe test for the mother. The functional load borne by the thyroid gland increases accordingly (during pregnancy, the volume of the thyroid gland increases by about 10%), which can easily lead to hypothyroidism in pregnant women with limited thyroid reserves or iodine deficiency. Women with normal thyroid function before pregnancy but with potential autoimmune thyroid disease will develop postpartum thyroiditis, resulting in clinical thyroid dysfunction.

"We have also found many similar cases in the outpatient clinic. The thyroid function is normal at ordinary times, but when pregnancy comes, the thyroid function becomes relatively hypothyroid. If no timely intervention is made, it may cause adverse effects on the intelligence of the fetus."

Therefore, even if there are no symptoms at other times, it is recommended that women undergo thyroid function screening during pregnancy. Especially older pregnant women. According to relevant domestic epidemiological survey data, currently about 5-10% of pregnant women will develop pregnancy-related thyroid diseases. Especially for older pregnant women, the proportion increases due to stress and mental influences.

"Generally speaking, the best age for pregnancy is 24-28 years old. Pregnancy is related to endocrine. Estrogen and progesterone in female hormones contribute to the occurrence of hyperthyroidism. In addition, mental factors are also an important cause of hyperthyroidism. In addition, reliable data also show that pregnant women over 40 years old have a higher rate of positive thyroid autoantibodies (TPOAb) and thyroid nodules."