Does Thyroid Affect Pregnancy? Let’s Burst The Bubble Today!

Does Thyroid Affect Pregnancy?  

Due to elevated thyroid hormone levels and other symptoms that are present in both pregnancy and thyroid diseases, the disorders can be challenging to detect in pregnant women. Certain hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism symptoms are simpler to recognize and may encourage your doctor to do a thyroid disease test on you. Postpartum thyroiditis is a different form of thyroid condition that can develop after the birth of your child.

There’s still a lot more to understand and tackle the questions about Does Thyroid Disease Affect Pregnancy? Let’s discuss it in today’s blog.

How Are Thyroid Conditions During Pregnancy Diagnosed?

Unless you are at a high risk of having a thyroid disease or you show signs or symptoms of one, your doctor will rarely examine your thyroid before or during pregnancy. Nevertheless, inform them if you experience any thyroid issue symptoms, particularly if you’re pregnant. The symptoms of a condition are things that another person can observe in you or learn about you, such as a rash or a cough, sore throat, or a feeling of dizziness. Thyroid problem symptoms and signs might develop gradually over time.

To check for thyroid issues, your healthcare professional will do a physical examination and a blood test. The blood test will measure your body’s levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone (commonly known as TSH).

Basically, it’s not that difficult to understand how to control thyroid in female. From incorporating a balanced diet and reducing stress to engaging in regular physical activity and seeking regular check-ups with your doctor, there are many steps you can take to keep your thyroid functioning optimally.

Does Thyroid Affect Pregnancy: What Are The Risks Involved? 

In comparison to pregnant women, you have an increased chance of developing a thyroid issue if you:

1. Are undergoing treatment for a thyroid problem, or do you have a goiter or thyroid nodules? (A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland that can give the appearance of a bloated neck)
2. Possess a thyroid disease, including after giving delivery, or you had a child with a thyroid condition in the past.
3. Have an autoimmune condition or autoimmune thyroid disease in your family, such as graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s disease. The condition runs in your family if you have a family history of it 
4. If you have type 1 diabetes. Diabetes is a disorder when the blood contains excessive amounts of glucose, a type of sugar. Preexisting diabetes, or type 1 diabetes, is a condition that exists before becoming pregnant. You can no longer produce insulin in your pancreas if you have type 1 diabetes. A hormone called insulin aids in maintaining the proper level of glucose in your body.
5. Have undergone high-dose neck radiation or hyperthyroidism therapy. An example of energy is radiation. It moves through the air as rays or particles.
6. Ask your doctor about testing if you’ve ever had a thyroid condition or believe you may be at risk for developing one.

How Are Thyroid Conditions Treated During Pregnancy And While Breastfeeding?

Several medications used to treat thyroid issues during pregnancy are safe for your unborn child. Thyroid medications can assist in maintaining the proper level of thyroid hormones in your body. To ensure that your medication is being taken at the proper dosage, your doctor will ask for blood tests throughout pregnancy to assess your TSH and T4 levels (also called doses). Your thyroid produces the hormone T4.

Speak with your doctor if you’re planning for pregnancy and are currently taking medication for thyroid disease. To make sure your medicine is safe for your baby, your doctor might want to modify it or alter it. If you are currently taking thyroid medication when you become pregnant, continue taking it and contact your healthcare doctor or your expert dietitian for the right diet plan as soon as you can.

Does Thyroid Affect Pregnancy: Did You Know About Postpartum Thyroiditis?

In the first year following childbirth, the thyroid swells in 1 to 21 out of 100 women (1 to 21 percent). Postpartum thyroiditis is the name of the autoimmune disease causing this. Your thyroid may become hyperactive, underactive, or even exhibit a combination of the two.

If you have any of the following, you may be more prone to developing this condition:

1. Antibodies to the thyroid before becoming pregnant
2. Type 1 diabetes
3. Thyroid issues in the past
4. Thyroid issues run in the family

A significant amount of thyroid hormone is initially released into the blood when the thyroid becomes inflamed. As a result, hyperthyroidism occurs. It’s very important to also understand all about the foods to avoid for hyperthyroidism. You might be symptom-free during this period. Perhaps any symptoms you do have may be brief and minor.

You might entirely recover after this initial stage. You could also have thyroid damage. An underactive thyroid can happen. This condition could also become better. Alternatively, your thyroid could be underactive for the rest of your life. You might require replacement hormones in this situation.

Symptoms Of Postpartum Thyroiditis

If you’re confused or still doubtful about these symptoms? Let’s find out what a few are below.

1. Decreased Milk Volume

Thyroid problems frequently make it harder to produce milk and remove it from the body. It is advised to test mothers frequently because it is possible that throughout pregnancy and childbirth, their thyroid levels can alter. Your baby’s levels may need to be monitored postpartum depending on the medicine.

2. Painless Goiter

This autoimmune disorder causes the thyroid gland to be destroyed by the sufferer’s own immune system. Less thyroid hormone can be produced by the gland as the damage to it increases.

3. Depression

It can influence mood and lead to depression, yes. Anxiety or despair are typical thyroid illness mood-altering symptoms. The severity of mood changes tends to increase with the severity of thyroid illness.

4. Fatigue

The body’s metabolism slows down in those with hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid. Lethargy and fatigue are only two of the many symptoms that might result from this.

5. Hairloss

Thyroid hormones, however, have a direct impact on how hair follicles operate. So, if you have more follicles in the “resting period,” significant shedding or hair loss will follow.

Does Thyroid Affect Pregnancy: Tips If You’re Breastfeeding 

When you have an overactive thyroid, there’s no need to worry about breastfeeding your little one. You should be able to breastfeed your child as long as you visit your doctor for routine checkups and follow the guidelines.

1. An antithyroid medicine prescribed by your doctor may help your body produce less thyroid hormone. Because just a small portion of these medications’ active chemicals enter breast milk, they are safe to take while nursing.
2. Smoking is never safe or healthy, but hyperthyroidism sufferers may find that smoking will worsen their symptoms. If you’re nursing, your only true choice in this situation is to break the habit.
3. The signs of an overactive thyroid might also worsen under stress. Eat well, get enough rest, and try stress-relieving exercises like yoga for thyroid, meditation, or a hobby as a way to combat stress.
4. Your body might create more milk than what your baby needs up until your hyperthyroidism is under control, causing your breasts to enlarge. When your baby doesn’t finish the milk in your breasts after each feeding, pump it and conserve it, and apply cold compresses to your breasts if they become sore or puffy. 
5. You will obviously need to be away from your child during the thyroidectomy process if your doctor determines that it is essential to remove part or all of your thyroid. Nevertheless, once the surgery is finished you can breastfeed again.

Check Out Neha’s Hyperthyroidism Treatment With Ghar Ka Khana

Neha reached out to us in the middle of the second wave. Her concerns were increased weight due to a sedentary lifestyle, a sitting job, and lots of outside food which led to weight gain and especially belly fat. She set a goal for herself – to get in shape & was also looking for permanent hyperthyroidism treatment.

Hyperthyroidism treatment with Ghar ka khana

Summing It Up With Some Takeaways

Just a few checklists to tick.

• You may be unable to get pregnant if your thyroid is overactive or underactive. Soon after your thyroid function returns to normal, you may become pregnant.
• Eat a good diet and add wholesome fruits to your diet plan too. Although remember to get thorough research on which fruit is good for thyroid?
• If you are or have been, treated for Graves’ disease, there is a very small chance that your baby will develop transient hyperthyroidism, however, this can be monitored and treated during pregnancy and after the birth
• Do not change your antithyroid medication dosage if you have hyperthyroidism without first consulting your doctor.
• If you are prescribed thyroid medications, then there’s no need to worry. You are able to breastfeed without risk. Breastfeeding is normally safe if you are using antithyroid medications but see your doctor first.
• Usually, a transient condition that goes away on its own in a few months without any therapy, postpartum thyroiditis can occasionally require a course of levothyroxine tablets.
• Postpartum thyroiditis can lead to hypothyroidism in future pregnancies and return after successive pregnancies thus it is necessary to have a thyroid function test before you conceive and after each delivery

Fun Fact

Did you know? One glass of Maaza Juice is equal to a pint of beer (330 ml) and has close to 50 gm of Sugar in it. This can fairly lead to obesity, which puts you and your children at risk for developing high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and type 2 diabetes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does Thyroid Affect Pregnancy?

Ans. Not really. Yet, untreated thyroid issues during pregnancy and after delivery can harm both you and your unborn child. Also, remember to get your notes on certain thyroid foods to avoid.

Q. Can You Get Pregnant If You Have Thyroid?

Ans. Yes, you can. However, you must get it treated and managed well.

Q. Can Miscarriage Happen Due To Thyroid Disease?

Ans. Rates of fetal mortality and miscarriage can rise with even mild hypothyroidism. You can get it managed by following a Diet Chart For Hypothyroidism, too. 

Q. What Should The Thyroid Levels Be If You Want To Get Pregnant?

Ans. You want your thyroid hormone level to be between 1 and 2.4 if you’re attempting to get pregnant or thinking about regulating it while you’re pregnant.

Q. How Soon After Thyroid Surgery Can You Get Pregnant?

Ans. Approximately 80% of those women conceived within six weeks to a year after beginning appropriate hypothyroidism medication.

Contact Us Today

We’re never leaving you hanging with doubts, queries, as well as confusing questions. We understand how all this information gets really overwhelming as well as a little confusing on your way to a healthy lifestyle. Hence, you can always contact us at any time as our experts are here to guide you 24/7. Also, we will help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Disclaimer

This blog post was written to help you to make healthy and better food choices altogether. So, be aware and take care. The important thing to consider is your own health before starting a diet that is restrictive. Always seek advice from a doctor/dietitian before starting if you have any concerns.

Eat Healthy, Live Healthy as Well as Enjoy a Long Happy Life