Things to Consider Before Becoming Pregnant
Women being treated for
hypothyroidism should discuss their condition with their healthcare provider before becoming pregnant. This will allow everyone to be on the same page as it relates to what should be done not only to help a woman get pregnant, but also to decrease the chance for complications during or after pregnancy.
Impact of Uncontrolled Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy
Like many other conditions, hypothyroidism should be monitored during pregnancy. Uncontrolled or inadequately controlled hypothyroidism during pregnancy increases the chance of:
Untreated hypothyroidism during pregnancy may also affect the baby's growth and brain development.
Treatment for Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy
Treatment for pregnant women with an
underactive thyroid is similar for women who are not pregnant, and involves thyroid
hormone replacement therapy. These medications can help prevent problems and are safe to take during pregnancy.
About three out of four women will need to have their medication dosage increased during pregnancy. This can occur when a woman is just five weeks pregnant. Healthcare providers will test TSH levels and make any necessary adjustments to the dose. The goal is to have normal TSH levels during pregnancy. Each time the dose is adjusted, the blood is tested again.
Never adjust your dose without talking to your healthcare provider. Taking too much thyroid medicine can cause problems as well.
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