There are several issues with pregnancy and hypothyroidism. It is important that you discuss testing with your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Hypothyroidism can be managed during pregnancy but there are some risks to the fetus. For example, during gestation the baby depends on the mother’s thyroid hormone. If the mother has a thyroid disorder the baby is more likely to physically develop at a slower rate.
Pregnant women with hypothyroidism are more likely to have children with a slightly lower IQ than women without hypothyroidism. On a related note, children born of mothers with the disorder are more likely to repeat grades and have trouble in school. In other words, mothers with untreated hypothyroidism have children with lifelong problems.
The best way to avoid these consequences is to get screened. Women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant should get screened. If a woman is pregnant with hypothyroidism, she can take a low dose of the thyroid hormone to reduce negative side effects. If a woman is pregnant and taking thyroid hormone, her doctor will have to monitor her closely because of natural fluctuations of hormones during pregnancy.
It is very important to discuss testing with your doctor. You should make sure that you have a strong partnership with your doctor so that both of you can decide on the best course of action for you and your baby. Early action on the part of you and your doctor is critical. If you have already been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, you must let your Obstetrician know as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. This is important because it is critical that your thyroid hormone is kept in check during pregnancy in order to avoid side effects for the baby.
Many women are concerned about having a difficult pregnancy with hypothyroidism. Fortunately, most women with the disorder feel better during pregnancy. They do not feel as bone tired as they did before becoming pregnant. There is also less brain fog. Unfortunately, it is possible that a pregnant woman will develop gestational diabetes because of the hypothyroidism. It is also possible that the baby will have the disease, but it is rare.
The key points to remember for pregnant women with hypothyroidism are:
Get screened as soon as you know you are pregnant.
1.It is important to continue taking your medication even while pregnant.
2.it is important to have a good relationship with your doctor so the two of you can monitor your hormone levels.
3.Be vigilant about all of the above
Remember that there are risks involved with being pregnant and having hypothyroidism. If you pay attention and keep in front of the disease, it is likely that the baby will be fine. Stay vigilant. Take your medicine and communicate with your doctor.
It can be scary but at least it is manageable with early detection and carefully monitored medicine. Many OB/GYNs do not know much about hypothyroidism. Therefore it is important to tell your doctor if you have hypothyroidism.
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Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid is not making enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located in the front of the throat. The thyroid is important because it makes a hormone that affects the way the body uses energy. Therefore, having hypothyroidism makes you feel overly tired and depressed. It can cause weakness. It can also raise cholesterol levels. While this may sound very serious, it is important to remember that hypothyroidism is easily diagnosed and treated. The worst part about hypothyroidism is the symptoms.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism also include memory problems, dry skin, a yellowing of the skin. Many people with hypothyroidism have trouble dealing with cold temperatures. Some people also exhibit symptoms such as a slowness in movement and slight weight gain. Another symptom that may appear is an enlargement in the front of the throat. Sometimes it can take years for any of these symptoms to appear. If you are concerned that you may have hypothyroidism, it is best to get tested.
Your doctor will do a thorough exam including an extensive medical history. If your doctor believes that you have hypothyroidism he or she will perform a simple blood test. Sometimes a thyroid ultrasound may be performed as well. An ultrasound is usually only used if an enlargement of the throat is found during a physical exam.
It is especially important for children and pregnant women to be checked for hypothyroidism. Doctors are required to test newborns because hypothyroidism can cause retardation in infants. Doctors also recommend screening on a regular basis for people over 35. It is also important to get tested if you have a close relative with hypothyroidism.
Other people who should get tested are those with diabetes or arthritis. Women who show signs of postpartum depression should also get tested as hypothyroidism may be a partial cause. Remember it is best to ask your doctor about getting tested if you fall into any of the above categories or if you exhibit any of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
If you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, treatment is also simple. Hypothyroidism is treated with medication, a synthetic hormone that mimics the one that the thyroid is supposed to produce. Many people improve after a few weeks of taking medication. However, some people may have to take medication for longer periods of time. The elderly and those with immune disorders may have to take medication indefinitely. Other people that may have to continue taking hypothyroidism medication are those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
Remember, hypothyroidism is not a death sentence. It is an easily treatable condition. It is important that you talk to your doctor if you believe that you have hypothyroidism. Only your doctor can diagnose and treat you. Most people go on to live happy, normal lives after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Some are completely cured after a short period of time on the medication. Some people will have to take medication for the rest of their lives but the medication as minimal side effects so their quality of life should remain great.
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Hypothyroidism affects children just like it affects adults. Unfortunately it is often misdiagnosed in children because it is so rare. Most doctors do not check for the disorder except when the child is a newborn.
The consequences of children having hypothyroidism is much more dire than that of adults. A child’s brain is not fully developed causing the lack of thyroid hormone to affect their physical growth as well as mental growth. The key to preventing extreme side effects in children is making sure that you recognize the symptoms and seek care for them immediately. It is also important that you be advocate for your child. If you believe that your child has hypothyroidism, ask your doctor to do a test.
The thyroid gland is controls many systems in the body, it is located in the front of throat. Some of the things it can effect are heart rate, menstrual cycle, cholesterol, vision, strength, and mental state, as well as many other functions.
In children, it is important to look out for a bulging in the throat. This would show an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is difficult to diagnose a child under 2 years of age. Some symptoms they may present are trouble feeding, increased sleepiness and poor muscle tone.
Older children can exhibit numerous other symptoms. Those symptoms include an increased sensitivity to cold, tiredness, constipation, a hoarse voice, poor mental development, slow development of permanent teeth. Some other symptoms are a horse voice, a puffy face, loss of appetite, growth changes, depression. Pain or stiffness in joints, and frequent choking.
Most of these symptoms could indicate something else so it is important to tell your doctor if your child is considered to be at risk.
There are risk factors that help to determine if a child is more likely to have hypothyroidism. One such risk factor is if a close relative, such as a parent or grandparent has the disorder.
Diagnoses and treatment today is fairly simple. If it is suspected that a child has hypothyroidism, a simple blood test is administered. If the test comes back positive, a doctor will place the child on a synthetic thyroid tablet. The doctor may also place the child on hormone treatment if their growth is stunted. This helps the child become more like their peers.
If a child goes untreated, mental retardation would likely occur. The child’s physical growth will also be affected. It is imperative that early treatment is sought so that the horrible side effects can be kept at bay. The symptoms caused by hypothyroidism set children back mentally and physically.
It is critical that children get tested frequently, especially if they are exhibiting symptoms or if they are at risk. Without testing and proper treatment, children are likely to suffer from lifelong problems. However, if the disorder is caught early and treated consistently, most children will not have any lasting effects.
Often, the symptoms of hypothyroidism indicate to doctors that it could be something else. It is quite possible that if your child has the symptoms mentioned above, your doctor will assume it is something else entirely. It may well be something else, but isn’t it worth it to at least rule out hypothyroidism with a simple blood test?
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Hypothyroidism is a medical symptom caused due to abnormally low production of thyroid hormone resulting in many disorders in the human body. The disorders caused due to the hypothyroidism have the direct as well as the indirect influence on the thyroid gland. The inadequate production of the thyroid gland has far-flung consequence on the human body.
What exactly are thyroid hormones?
The thyroid gland of the human body produces the thyroid hormones. The actual location of the thyroid gland in the human body is in the lower part of the neck just below the Adam’s apple. The shape of the gland is very much similar to the shape of the butterfly constituted by the two wings (very much like the wings of the butterfly) called lobes connected by a central part called isthmus.
The thyroid gland consumes iodine which is available from foods having large contents of sodium chloride like seafood, pickles, all junk food etc. The two important forms of thyroid hormones are thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) that constitutes 99% and 1% respectively of thyroid hormones present in the blood. The T3 hormone results in all the biological activity. On the other hand when the T4 hormone is get released into the blood from the thyroid gland, the big amount of T4 hormone gets transformed into the T3 hormone. The T3 hormone is considered as the active hormone which exercises influence on the metabolism of cell in the body.
The various symptoms of hypothyroidism
Generally the symptoms of hypothyroidism are insidious. To be more precise the symptoms are not very explicit. The symptoms of hypothyroidism may resemble the symptoms resulting from other conditions also. These become more apparent when the condition worsens gradually as the symptoms are connected to the metabolic retardation of the human body.
The common symptoms resulting from hypothyroidism are as follows:
?Depression
?Fatigue
?Excessive sleepiness
?Modest weight gain
?Increased cholesterol levels
?Cold intolerance
?Dry, coarse hair
?Muscle cramps
?Dry skin
?Constipation
?Swelling of legs
?Vague aches and pain
?Decreased concentration
If the ailment becomes more chronic, it may result in puffiness around the eyes, dropping of body temperature and even slowing of heart rate thereby resulting in heart failure. In most of its intense form, acute hypothyroidism can be life threatening resulting in myxedema coma. An individual suffering from severe hypothyroidism may develop myxedema coma which is generally triggered by traumatic injury, stress, severe illness, complicated surgery etc. It’s a serious condition which requires prompt treatment and hospitalization in which it is adequately essential to inject the thyroid hormones. Correctly diagnosed hypothyroidism is completely curable and can be easily treated by the replacement of thyroid hormones which is not a very complicated surgery.
Ignoring hypothyroidism can prove to be fatal. It may result in the accretion of fluids all along the lungs, commonly termed as pleural effusion and the enlargement of the heart termed as cardiomyopathy which can even lead to heart failure. So if you are diagnosed with the hypothyroidism, it is always advisable to consult your doctor immediately.
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