Pregnant Moms and Their Thyroids Need To Be Friends

on May 6, 2011 at 8:35 PM

thyroid disease You take so many tests when you are pregnant -- the nuchal fold scan, the 20-week sonogram, genetic testing. We all have to do that glucose test. We pee in so many cups, we could have a tea service for 50 at the end of it.

But one thing that isn't often talked about is your thyroid. That gland in the body that regulates a whole mess of things, including how the body handles hormones -- by producing the thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism and a bunch of other stuff. Okay, right, as you can tell I am not doctor, but I know the thyroid is a biggie and if it gets knocked off, that can mean trouble.

There's a new study out saying even before you get pregnant, you should have that thyroid checked out, as 1 in 20 women who give birth go onto have thyroid problems. But, oddly enough, not everyone is sold on this idea...

Researchers in Prague followed 200 women during and after their pregnancy -- half of them had no signs of thyroid problems but, through a blood screening, tested positive that they could be at future risk. Of that group, one-third went onto have thyroid problems within two years of popping that baby out.

What does this mean? That women could get earlier treatment for disease if they are screened ahead of time and are made aware of their potential future problems. That sounds good right? But many countries, the U.S. included, have rejected universal screening for this. Hmmm ... I know many moms who, after having their kids, had their thyroids totally get out of whack. They thought they were depressed, thought were just really tired but, as it turns out, they were really having serious health woes because if that dang thyroid. Perhaps if they had been screened, they would have been more aware of the symptoms and the impact of pregnancy on your thyroid -- and they wouldn't have suffered as long.

The bottom line: make friends with your thyroid. Even before getting pregnant, make sure yours is working as it should, that it is happy and healthy. Tuck this info away and ask your doctor about it after you give birth -- especially if you have a family history of thyroid disease. As GI Joe said, knowing is half the battle, folks.

Did you have thyroid problems during pregnancy or after?

Image via Hafdis H/Flickr

Filed Under: pregnancy health, tests, tests & procedures, the pregnant life, trying to conceive

Comments (10)

ArmyWifeAshlie

on May 6, 2011 at 8:51 PM

I had post partum thyroiditis after my son was born in 2009. It regulated after about 6 months on a synthetic thyroid. Between that and ppd losing weight was almost impossible and now I am 25 weeks pregnant with out second...my dr is aware of my thyroid issues after delivery the first time and we're on high alert.

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douxmusique

on May 6, 2011 at 10:54 PM

my OB/GYN was based from a university and i took part in a study that tested women and their thyroid during pregnancy and afterwards as well. Who knows, maybe sometime soon it will be routine but its not off the radar.

happy-go-lucky

on May 6, 2011 at 11:06 PM

My mom has thyroid problems, so I had mine checked, and mine was way out of control. It still is, when my medication is off I feel so out of control. It is a nightmare.

kjbugsmom1517

on May 6, 2011 at 11:43 PM

Mine devloped after my 2nd baby. Possibly the first but was never tested. I suffered for nearly 2 years in hopes it would just go away, but I had no idea what I was fighting. Alittle over a year after starting treatment I feel tons better, but ill be on medication the rest of my life.. Get ur thyroid checked ladies u won't regret it..

Facebook comment from Yolanda Faulk

on May 6, 2011 at 11:49 PM

i started having thyroid problems after i had my 3 baby like a month after i had her now it swalls i have had blood work and a ultra sound on it but every thing has come back normal but the doctor told me to let her no if it hurts to swallow other than that i have not been told anything else i was so scared cause i did not know what to expect but i knew it had to do with my thyroid

Johariz

on May 7, 2011 at 12:21 AM

I have hashimoto's thyroiditis. Which only surfaced after my daughter was born. Thankfully we have it under control now. I do suggest everyone get their thyroid checked every so often. I feel so much better now that i'm on my medication.

ErinPritt

on May 7, 2011 at 4:56 AM

My hyperthyroidism developed right after I had my son. It became so severe I had to have my thyroid removed. It was horrible! I feel a million times better now that I'm hypothyroid, ill take slightly sluggish any day over my body feeling out of control with the hyperthyroid.

Suzi

on May 8, 2011 at 12:23 AM

I had two babies in 96 and 99. Years ago (2006) my blood was tested and my TSH levels were elevated. They put me on Synthroid. I still get tired though.

Facebook comment from Desiree De La O

on May 9, 2011 at 10:40 AM

After my first daughter i went for my 6 week check up and my doctor found a nodule on my thyroid was gonna have surgery a few months later but found out i was pregnant with #2 and when i went for 6 week check up they found the nodule had grown. they ended up taking out half of my thyroid. i go for testing about every 6 months but have never had any problems and i dont have to take any medication.

Panda2778

on Aug 28, 2011 at 10:02 PM

I had a miscarriage at 9 1/2 weeks back in 2010. The nurse who intubated be for a D&C discovered an enlarged nodule on my thyroid.

Blood tests always came back normal. However, in June 2011, at 17 weeks pregnant, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I have since had my entire thyroid removed, been prescribed synthroid, and am expecting a premie C-section. The hurry for the delivery is due to the cancer- it is spreading. Within week of delivery, I will be isolated and have radiation treatment; while my 30-32 week premie will be spending time in the NICU... not something I am looking forward to at all.