Thyroid disease in pregnancy, everything you need to know (P1)

Thyroid diseases are considered a big obsession for many pregnant mothers. Thyroid tests in the early stages of pregnancy to timely detect and treat are essential .

Goiter during pregnancy is a fairly common disorder. Mothers who get goiter during pregnancy can pass it on to their babies. If not treated, the disease will worsen. Therefore, you need to be fully equipped with knowledge about all kinds of disorders of the thyroid gland in pregnancy to take measures to prevent and cure promptly.

What is the thyroid gland?

The thyroid is a H-shaped endocrine gland located in the front of your neck below the thyroid cartilage of the larynx (the largest cartilage protruding). The thyroid gland is about 5 cm long and weighs less than 28g. The thyroid produces, stores, and releases hormones into the bloodstream. The hormones secreted by the thyroid gland directly affect the function of the cells in the body.

There are two main hormones that the thyroid secretes, called T3 and T4. These hormones help with brain development, regulate the body's metabolic rate and other key functions. An increase in levels of thyroid hormones is called hyperthyroidism and if they drop it is called hypothyroidism.

Thyroid disorders vary widely from person to person, and can range from a simple, harmless goiter that doesn't require treatment to a disorder that releases an abnormal thyroid hormone that has a negative impact on muscles. body of both pregnant mother and fetus . This disorder, if not treated in time, can turn into a life-threatening cancer.

Effects of thyroid disorders during pregnancy

Disorders of the thyroid gland during pregnancy can affect the health of both mother and fetus. Thyroid disorders are common in most women of childbearing age . Thyroid dysfunction can also occur in the postpartum period and has many other negative health effects. Specifically, the disease affects the psychomotor development of your child from an early age.

There are two main hormones involved in this disorder during pregnancy, one is hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and the other is estrogen. These two hormones increase the levels of thyroid hormones. During the first trimester, the mother's body delivers thyroid hormones to the fetus through the placenta. As the pregnancy progresses around 12 weeks, your baby's thyroid will begin to work to maintain its function.

Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy

In our body, the immune system is responsible for protecting the body from external agents that cause infections when they enter the body. However, when autoimmune diseases such as Graves' disease (autoimmune toxic goiter) occur, the immune system attacks cells in the body on its own, called autoimmune, and destroys itself.

Graves' disease is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the thyroid, causing the thyroid to stimulate and increase secretion of thyroid hormones, causing hyperthyroidism. This condition is rare and usually occurs in the second half of the second trimester. The causes of this disorder are:

Graves' disease

This is a form of autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing the organ to produce more T4 (thyroxine). Thyroxine is a normal hormone secreted by the thyroid gland.

Thyrotoxic nucleus

Nymphs will grow inside the thyroid gland and begin to secrete thyroid hormones, thereby disrupting your hormonal balance.

Subacute thyroiditis

The inflammation of the thyroid gland causes it to release more hormones. Disorders of the pituitary gland or cancer cells that grow inside the thyroid will also increase secretion of this hormone.

To be assured of thyroid during pregnancy, you need to regularly check the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood and consult your doctor for timely preparation and treatment!