Thyroid Conditions During Pregnancy

Get Expert Care for Thyroid Health During Pregnancy at Our Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. It produces hormones that help the body to work. These hormones can affect the heart rate and metabolism. If it makes too much or too little hormones, it is a problem in either case. Most women have thyroid before pregnancy, and others develop during pregnancy or soon after delivery which should be checked by Obstetrics and Gynecology department. Untreated thyroid during pregnancy can cause serious problems, such as miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth. It is adviced to get tested for thyroid during your pregnancy proper guidance should be taken under the Best Gynaecologist in Abu Dhabi.

Thyroid Types

There are two thyroid types explained by Obstetrics and Gynecology department – hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

• Hyperthyroidism: It is caused when the thyroid is overactive and releases too many thyroid hormones. This type of thyroid during pregnancy can cause an autoimmune disorder known as Graves’ disease. It happens when antibodies attack healthy tissues. In Graves’ disease, the immune system makes antibodies that cause the thyroid to make excess thyroid hormone. In some cases, this type of thyroid is related to a severe form of morning sickness.
• Hypothyroidism: This condition arises when the thyroid doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is caused by an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s disease. In this disease, the immune system makes antibodies that attack and damage the thyroid.

Diagnosis of Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy

The best Obstetrics and Gynecology doctors in Abu Dhabi usually don't test the thyroid before or during pregnancy unless you are at risk of having this condition or have symptoms. If you have symptoms of thyroid in pregnancy, tell your expert in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Abu Dhabi. Signs and symptoms of thyroid in pregnancy can appear slowly over time. Most of the time, symptoms match other health conditions, so it doesn’t mean you have thyroid. Some of the common symptoms of hyperthyroid, as highlighted by experts in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Abu Dhabi, are:

• Nervousness, irritability, and anxiety
• Mood swings
• Hyperactivity
• Difficulty sleeping
• Muscle weakness
• Sensitivity to heat
• Diarrhea The common symptoms of hypothyroid seen by Obstetrics and Gynecology doctors are tiredness, weight gain, sensitivity to colds, constipation, depression, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, depression, and slow movements. If you have any of these symptoms inform your Obstetrics and Gynecology doctor right away. They may suggest blood tests and physical exams check thyroid conditions. In blood tests, the level of thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the body is tested. TSH is a hormone that tells the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones. Any woman is at risk of thyroid condition during pregnancy if she:
• Is she being treated for a thyroid condition or has goiter or thyroid nodules?
• Have a thyroid condition in the past or have a baby with a thyroid condition.
• Have a family history of autoimmune thyroid diseases, like Graves’ or Hashimoto’s disease.
• Have type 1 diabetes
• Have had treatment for hyperthyroidism or high-dose neck radiation from the best medical center in Abu Dhabi.

Hyperthyroidism problems for pregnant women and baby

Hyperthyroidism in women can cause:

• Preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that can happen after the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth. It’s when a woman has high blood pressure and symptoms that organs are not working normally.
• Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the lungs, arteries, and on the right side of the heart.
• Heart failure: This occurs when the heart can’t pump enough blood to the body.
• Placental abruption: It is a serious condition in which the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus before birth.
• Thyroid storm: It happens when symptoms get worse. However, it is a rare but life-threatening condition.

The problems that untreated hyperthyroidism can cause to a baby include:

• Premature birth: This birth happens too early, i.e., before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
• Low birth weight: The baby is born underweight and less than 5 pounds or 8 ounces.
• Thyroid problems: Antibodies that cause Graves’ disease can be passed onto the baby.
• Miscarriage or stillbirth happens when the baby dies in the womb before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Stillbirth is when a baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy. To treat this condition, you can visit gynaecology clinics, Adam & Eve Specialized Medical Center’s Obstetrics and Gynecology doctor in Abu Dhabi.

Effect of Hypothyroidism on pregnancy

It is advisable to get treated under the guidance of an Obstetrics and Gynecology doctor, as untreated hypothyroidism during pregnancy can cause several problems for babies and women. Problems that may arise in pregnant women are:

• Anemia: In this condition, pregnant women don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body parts.
• Gestational hypertension: This high blood pressure starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
• Postpartum hemorrhage: In this condition, women have heavy bleeding after delivery. It is a rare but serious condition. It happens within one day of delivery and can also happen up to 12 weeks after giving birth.
• Myxedema, heart failure, Preeclampsia, and placental abruption.

Problems for babies include infantile myxedema, low birth weight, thyroid problems, stillbirth, and problems with brain and nervous system development. To conclude, talk to the best Indian Obstetrics and Gynecology in Abu Dhabi at gynaecology clinics as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. You can book an appointment with Best Gynaecologist in Abu Dhabi of Adam & Eve Specialized Medical Centre and get the best treatment for thyroid in Abu Dhabi. We have put together a selection of our most popular blogs on a range of topics related to health, including mental health, nutrition, exercise, and more. Read through our other blogs to gain a better understanding of how to maintain good physical and mental wellbeing. With the right knowledge, you can make sure that you are taking the right steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

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