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HYPOTHYROIDISM, PREGNANCY, AND NURSING There is not much information on this topic in the literature, but I will search and add what I can find. If anyone has any experience in this area, please write the info to me at BU007@aol.com and I will post it here. Hopefully eventually we can get a good body of information together here. Maternal Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy Linked to Increased Risk for MiscarriageNovember 22, 2000Journal of Medical Screening/MedscapeWire
Pregnant women with hypothyroidism have a 4 times greater risk for miscarriage during the second trimester, according to a study published today in the Journal of Medical Screening, a specialty publication of the British Medical Journal. The study reported that of 9403 women with singleton pregnancies, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were 6 mU/L or greater in 209 women (2.2 %). The rate of late fetal death (miscarriage) was significantly higher in those pregnancies (8 of 209 [3.8%]) than in women with TSH less than 6 mU/L (83 of 9194 [0.9 %]). Furthermore, the rate of fetal death increased incrementally as TSH levels increased. Among the 37 women with TSH levels greater than 10 mU/L, fetal deaths occurred in 8.1%. In the study, 6 of every 100 miscarriages could be attributed to thyroid deficiency during pregnancy. "Because little is known about the cause of late miscarriages, our findings offer a new opportunity to possibly prevent some of these," said Dr. Walter Allan, MD, lead study author and director of clinical services at the Foundation for Blood Research (FBR) in Scarborough, Maine. "Further research may show that early detection and treatment for maternal hypothyroidism is the key to preventing these miscarriages." The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between certain pregnancy complications and TSH levels in pregnant women. Between July 1990 and June 1992, approximately 10,500 women from the state of Maine agreed to participate in a study of hypothyroidism during routine testing between 15 and 18 weeks' gestation to detect neural tube defects and Down syndrome. From this pool, it was determined that 9403 women were eligible for the study and underwent TSH testing. The women provided selected information about their pregnancy (eg, gravidity, parity, vaginal bleeding, and smoking status) at the time of enrollment. Information about pregnancy outcome (eg, viability, length of gestation, birth weight, and Apgar score) was obtained via a collaborative agreement with the state's Bureau of Vital Records. The serum TSH levels were measured at the New England Newborn Screening Program in Boston and additional thyroid function testing was performed on all serum samples with TSH levels at or above 6 mU/L (the definition of thyroid deficiency for the current study) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Thyroid function testing was also performed in a selected subgroup of controls. In a study published in the August 18, 1999, New England Journal of Medicine, the same researchers documented an association between undetected subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy and lower IQ in offspring. Women with untreated thyroid deficiency during pregnancy are 4 times more likely to have children with lower IQ scores. Nineteen percent of the children whose mothers had undiagnosed hypothyroidism during pregnancy averaged 85 or less on their IQ tests. Children who have an IQ less than 85 are more likely to have difficulties in school and may be less successful in their careers and interpersonal relationships. "Our current study indicates that a change in pregnancy screening practices may be warranted," said Dr. Allan. "Perhaps expectant mothers should get a TSH test before pregnancy or as part of the initial standard prenatal blood work." Other studies among pregnant women with hypothyroidism have suggested a connection between miscarriage, premature birth, low birthweight, placental abruption, and pregnancy-induced hypertension; however, these studies were limited to women attending high-risk or specialty clinics and might not have reflected the findings in the general population. Hypothyroidism is a deficiency in the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland just below the Adam's apple, that plays a critical role in regulating the most important functions in the body including heart rate, metabolism, growth, cognitive function and development, energy, and mood. Approximately 1 of every 50 women in the United States is thyroid deficient during pregnancy. However, this condition does not only strike during pregnancy. In fact, nearly 27 million Americans have thyroid disorder, yet more than half remain undiagnosed. The condition becomes even more prevalent as women age; by age 60 years, 1 in 5 women will suffer from a thyroid deficiency. Thyroid disease can be diagnosed through a simple blood test called TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). This highly sensitive test enables doctors to detect thyroid disorders early, and in many cases before the woman experiences symptoms. If left untreated, thyroid disease can lead to serious long-term complications such as heart disease, osteoporosis, infertility, impaired IQ in offspring, and now potentially, late miscarriage.
Subj: Re: [hyperthyroidism] to Michelle, re: pregnancy! |