Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders in Pregnancy

Thyroid disorders (thyroid gland) 4-5 times more common in women than in men. Mostly occurs in women when pregnant because of hormonal and metabolic changes her chest. Good thyroid function is very important for the mother and the fetus. Especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy, when the mother is only a source of thyroid hormones to the fetus. Thyroid disorders in pregnant women is the most common deficiency of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism).

Thyroid deficiency in pregnant women is generally characterized by a high TSH values ​​were found in about 2.5% of normal pregnancies. 4-9% of women of childbearing age (18-45 years) known to have increased levels of TSH. High TSH levels affect thyroid function significantly, especially during pregnancy.

Individuals at high risk for thyroid deficiency during pregnancy is an individual who has:

• Tendency thyroid deficiency before pregnancy

• History of autoimmune thyroid disease in the family and yourself

• Diabetes mellitus type 1

• Other autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome

• Decrease in thyroid reserve (likely due to a history of neck and thyroidectomy iradasi in part) 

Thyroid disease and pregnancy have the same symptoms, so it is difficult to know what the symptoms first appear. It is important to distinguish because of changes in maternal thyroid function can cause severe complications in the mother and child, so it is necessary to know fatherly laboratory evaluation of thyroid status of pregnant women. 

Thyroid disease experienced by expectant mothers during pregnancy especially in the first and third trimester, are:
Feeling tired, nausea, weight gain, changes in skin, hair and nails, constipation, dizziness, mood changes (feeling) and headache.

Examination of Anti TPO can be used for:

• Help enforce diagnosisi autoimmune thyroid disease

• Determine the presence of risk factors, such as:

1. Autoimmune thyroid disease 
2. Thyroid deficiency in doen syndrome patients 
3. Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and post partum thyroiditis 
4. Miscarriage early failure of fertilization outside the womb or in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Anti-TPO examination for pregnant women conducted at weeks 12-20 of pregnancy, whereas in patients with other autoimmune thyroid dysfunction, time checks performed upon request of a doctor.

Early diagnosis of the thyroid gland and the lack of effective treatment is important, especially during pregnancy due to complications arising can cause fetal loss, hypertension in pregnancy, premature birth, and also cause abnormal brain development in infants. Screening with the specific laboratory evaluation of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti TPO) to help determine the proper diagnosis.