Week by week we follow your baby’s growth and changes in your body. We advise you on health and diet during your pregnancy.
Hashimoto’s disease can cause problems getting pregnant and also threatens the developing foetus. How to become a mother and give birth to a healthy infant despite illness? Find out.
This is an autoimmune disease that is the result of an immune system disorder. It is chronic. The antibodies created by the patient’s immune system turn against the body, attack the thyroid gland and gradually damage it. The production of T3 and T4 hormones is stopped and that leads to hypothyroidism.
The disease can be asymptomatic. However, usually there are some symptoms. You can experience:
Hashimoto's disease is diagnosed by blood tests. High levels of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and presence of anti-thyroid antibodies are evidence of the disease.
Hashimoto's is a progressive disease and untreated affects the functioning of the entire body. Irregular menstrual periods, disturbed cycles, and thus ovulation cause problems with getting pregnant. If your efforts are not successful, sign up for an appointment with an endocrinologist. An endocrinologist will order appropriate tests, check your hormonal balance, and then, if necessary, implement appropriate treatment.
The disease is not a reason to avoid pregnancy. However, a mother with Hashimoto’s must control her hormone levels throughout the pregnancy.
Before conception optimize your levels of thyroid hormones and monitor them during whole pregnancy until labour. TSH levels should be checked, at least, every 4 weeks during the first half of pregnancy and at least once between 26 and 31 weeks gestation.
The beginning of pregnancy is a time during which the baby's brain develops very intensively. To develop brain properly, your baby needs thyroid hormones. Because his thyroid is just forming, he uses mom's hormones. Their deficiency caused by Hashimoto's disease can lead to abnormal growth and developmental disorders.
Hashimoto's disease also increases the risk of miscarriage. It can also lead to other complications such as:
One of the first tests you will do during pregnancy will be thyroid tests. Your doctor will direct you to the obligatory TSH check. Remember to consult your doctor, even if your TSH is within normal levels. The amounts given are optimal for women who are not expecting a child. The gynaecologist will assess whether the results are fine and in the case of irregularities will immediately direct you to a specialist.
It sometimes happens that Hashimoto's disease manifests itself only when a woman becomes pregnant. Sometimes the pregnancy becomes the trigger for the disease. If hypothyroidism appeared after conception, when you give birth, the problems are likely to go away and everything shall return to normal.
The decisive factor in starting treatment is the presence of antibodies in the blood. Before getting pregnant, check yourself regularly to control your hormones. Adequate hormone levels do not require medication. However, their level can change quickly, so repeat tests at least every 3 months.
As soon as you know you're pregnant, schedule your appointment with specialist. He will prescribe medication that will keep your hormones at the right level. The treatment for future mothers is different than for non-pregnant women. Even if you feel well and do not notice the symptoms of the disease, you need to maintain TSH levels at the appropriate level - 2-2.5 mlU/l. Thanks to this your baby will develop properly.
Hormone therapy does not affect the baby negatively. Drugs are safe because they are made of substances that are equivalent to compounds produced naturally by the thyroid gland.
Remember to supplement iodine. Iodine demand increases during pregnancy. If you want to avoid shortages, when buying vitamins for pregnant women at your pharmacy, ask for tablets with iodine.
No, but a properly composed diet can help. Proper nutrition reduces the risk of inflammation and has a positive effect on the digestive system. Prescribed hormones and nutrients are better absorbed, improving the patient's well-being.
Hashimoto's disease often coexists with other diseases, which is why the diet should be composed individually, taking into account such diseases, for example, celiac disease or diabetes.
The disease is caused by an immune system error. It is not known what are the causes of such error. And although it is usually run in family, it is difficult to determine if a child will inherit it.
Factors that increase the likelihood of disease include poor living conditions, selenium and iodine deficiency, stress, smoking, and environmental pollution.
Incidence also increases in people suffering from other autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, lupus, RA, inflammatory bowel disease or allergy. Hashimoto’s disease also affects women more often than men.
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Week by week we follow your baby’s growth and changes in your body. We advise you on health and diet during your pregnancy.