Pregnancy is a special condition, throughout which doctors control the development of the fetus and the health of the expectant mother. Control is carried out by inspection, laboratory data, visual methods of research. In addition to monitoring blood, urine, it is necessary to control the concentration of thyroid hormones, which play a major role in the development of pregnancy.
Thyroid and its hormones
Even in ancient Egypt suspected of the value of the thyroid gland in the development of pregnancy, and even used its changes as a test for pregnancy. The girl who got married, tied the thread around the neck, and if the thread was torn, you could talk about the fact of conception. The filament rupture was due to the fact that the thyroid gland increases in size during pregnancy.
Thyroid cells produce the most important hormones that support normal body function. These hormones include: thyroxin, triiodothyronine. The main task of these hormones is to control the development of the fetus, its organs and systems.
After birth, hormones are also needed, they continue to monitor the work of the brain, the development of intelligence. Hormones support the functions of the central nervous system, organs and regulate metabolic processes throughout life.
Thyroid gland during pregnancy
Pregnancy causes double loads on the thyroid gland. There is a need to cover not only their own needs, but also the fetus. During pregnancy, the thyroid gland produces 30–50% more thyroxin. It is for these reasons that it increases in size.
Thyroid begins its formation in the fetus at 4-5 weeks of pregnancy, and already with 12 begins to accumulate iodine, which is necessary for independent functioning. The thyroid gland can work fully only from 16-17 weeks of gestation. If the pregnancy proceeds without pathologies, the thyroid gland of the fetus can work fully and perform all its functions.
Accordingly, normal concentrations of iodine in the maternal organism are necessary not only for the woman herself, but also for the fetus. Even if the thyroid gland is fully formed and can perform all its functions fully, the fetus receives iodine only from the mother’s body.
Every expectant mother should understand that most of Europe and Asia is an iodine deficient territory, and women who live in this territory need additional iodine intake, constant monitoring of its concentrations. This will help monitor the concentration of certain hormones, for example, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
If iodine deficiency has formed in the body, the corresponding symptoms of hypothyroidism in pregnant women will appear. At the beginning of pregnancy, thyroid function may be enhanced – hyperthyroidism. As a rule, such a condition does not require medical intervention, only control, and it is stopped by itself.
Hypothyroidism during pregnancy
With a reduced function of the thyroid gland, characteristic symptoms appear:
- fatigue and weakness;
- significant weight gain;
- apathy, mood swings;
- reduced concentration;
- deterioration of hair and nails;
- swelling.
Iodine deficiency can cause a decrease in hormone concentrations even before pregnancy. For these reasons, doctors say that it is necessary to visit a specialist at the planning stage of pregnancy, control hormone levels, and take appropriate measures if necessary.
If the condition is diagnosed on time, then during therapy, nothing can prevent the onset of pregnancy and its normal course. Doctors are prescribed thyroxine for hormone deficiency, because its deficiency may threaten spontaneous abortion, stillbirth or the development of anomalies in the baby, which may be incompatible with life.
Every pregnant woman should regularly undergo research to control the concentration of hormones. Elevated levels of hormone in the blood in the first trimester of pregnancy is not a pathology – this is the norm.
In pregnancy, free thyroxine deserves attention. Especially dangerous is a decrease in their concentration, in which case a hormone level correction is necessary.
Enhance thyroid function during pregnancy
To enhance the functions of the thyroid gland are also characteristic symptoms that should be alarming:
- weakness, fatigue;
- drastic weight loss;
- irritability, mood swings, tearfulness, unfounded fear;
- weakness in muscles, trembling in hands;
- appetite disturbances;
- infertility and problems with conception and carrying;
- bulging eyes, specific glitter in the eyes.
During pregnancy, a slight increase in thyroid function is considered a variant of the norm, so the body adapts to new conditions. But when anxiety symptoms appear, women are assigned a series of laboratory tests to make a diagnosis and monitor the condition.
If hyperthyroidism is quickly stopped, then the prognosis for pregnancy and the mother is favorable. If there is no complete treatment, the risk of gestosis increases significantly, the likelihood of fetal malformations and premature birth increases.
When monitoring the status of a woman, nothing threatens the course of pregnancy, there is a healthy baby ahead.
Hormones after childbirth
After giving birth, 3-5% of women have postpartum thyroiditis. Immunity returns to its normal functioning, and the body can produce antibodies to the cells of its own thyroid gland.
For such a condition is characterized by a change in a moderate increase and decrease in the functions of the thyroid gland. After 6-8 months after birth, this state passes on its own, immunity restores its normal operation.
Such drops in the work of the thyroid gland sometimes become the cause of difficulties in diagnosis. The fact of recent labor, symptoms that are characteristic of changes in thyroid function can help in making a diagnosis.
With a decrease in thyroid function, doctors prescribed replacement therapy, and with increased function, only symptomatic therapy is prescribed.
In order to ensure the normal course of pregnancy, it is necessary to be extremely attentive to the signals of your own body, to undergo all the necessary research in time and to control the level of hormones.