Thyroid Disorders During Pregnancy
What expecting mothers need to know for a healthy baby
During the first trimester of pregnancy, a developing baby relies entirely on the mother for thyroid hormones, which are absolutely critical for the baby's brain and nervous system development.
The Importance of TSH Screening
Every pregnant woman must have her TSH levels checked during her first prenatal visit. For pregnancy, the optimal TSH target is strictly lower than it is for the general population (usually kept below 2.5 mIU/L in the first trimester).
Adjusting Your Dosage
If you were already taking thyroxine before becoming pregnant, your dosage will almost certainly need to be increased (often by 30-50%) as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. You must inform your endocrinologist immediately upon a positive pregnancy test.
Postpartum Thyroiditis
Even after delivery, women are at risk of Postpartum Thyroiditis—an inflammation of the thyroid gland that causes it to briefly become overactive, followed by an underactive phase. Keep monitoring your symptoms in the months following birth.