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Pregnancy and Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a common disorder among women, and according to Ruchi Mathur, MD of Medicine Net, approximately 2.5 percent of pregnant women are diagnosed with it. When a woman knows beforehand that she has thyroid problems, she is better able to control the risks associated with the condition and pregnancy.

  1. What Is Hypothyroidism?

    • Hypothyroidism is a broad term for having an underactive thyroid. Women with underactive thyroids may have a variety of conditions, including Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Graves' Disease or thyroid nodules or goiter.

    Medications for Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy

    • Several drugs are available to help keep a woman's thyroid levels stable when she is first diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Some of these drugs include Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid and Armour. It's important for the woman to continue taking her thyroid medication regularly, as the thyroid of the fetus isn't developed until after 12 weeks of pregnancy, and it relies on the mother for thyroid hormones in the first trimester. All thyroid medications are a pharmaceutical category A, which means they're extremely low-risk for pregnant women.

    Thyroid Tests During Pregnancy

    • Thyroid testing throughout pregnancy--especially in the first trimester--is extremely important. The thyroid stimulating hormone test (TSH), T3 and T4 levels will make sure the woman is making enough thyroid hormone. Many health-care providers say to check the levels at least once a trimester. Early detection is key to preventing developmental problems. When T4 levels are maintained, there have been little or no adverse effects to the fetus.

    Untreated Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy

    • If hypothyroidism goes undetected during pregnancy or medication is discontinued, there can be developmental consequences for the fetus and a possibility of miscarriage, stillbirth or pre-term birth. According to a study by the "New England Journal of Medicine," infants born to women who were not treated for hypothyroidism had a lower IQ; however, infants born to women who were undergoing treatment for hypothyroidism fared about the same as other infants.

    Supplements and Hypothyroidism

    • Because the iron in prenatal vitamins can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication, it's important to take them separately. To help with absorption, thyroid medication should be taken on a an empty stomach, two hours after eating or one hour before.

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