Does hypothyroidism in early pregnancy have a big impact?

Hypothyroidism is a common disease. It has a great impact on the health of normal people. It will cause abnormal hormones in women's bodies. Severe cases may also affect fertility. Patients with hypothyroidism usually need active treatment. Some women also suffer from hypothyroidism after pregnancy. If a pregnant woman suffers from hypothyroidism, it will be particularly harmful to both the pregnant woman and the fetus.

Does hypothyroidism in early pregnancy have a big impact?

Maternal hypothyroidism may affect the intellectual development of children. If a pregnant woman suffers from hypothyroidism, the impact on the fetus is greater than hyperthyroidism, and the miscarriage rate and perinatal mortality rate of the fetus will increase.

What are the dangers of hypothyroidism during pregnancy?

1. Causes the baby's intelligence to decline

Experts believe that babies born to women with hypothyroidism have an increased risk of developing certain diseases, most of which are intellectual and developmental problems: a number of studies have shown that pregnant women with clinical hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, low T4 blood or TPOAb positivity will significantly increase miscarriage and pregnancy complications, and cause fetal brain development disorders, leading to a 6-8 point decrease in the IQ of offspring. Women with the above four diseases account for 10% to 15% of pregnant women.

It is currently believed that only by diagnosing hypothyroidism before or in early pregnancy and treating it early can intellectual impairment of offspring be avoided. However, hypothyroidism has no or only mild clinical symptoms, and these symptoms are easily confused with pregnancy reactions and are difficult to diagnose, resulting in a low treatment rate.

2. Increase the chance of birth defects in children

Hypothyroidism may increase the risk of birth defects in children. New research finds that women with thyroid disease are more likely to give birth to children with heart, kidney or brain abnormalities. This study from the United States shows that the proportion of babies born to mothers with thyroid diseases (including both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, with hypothyroidism being more common) who suffer from birth defects (brain, kidney, heart defects, cleft lip, cleft palate, polydactyly, etc.) is about 18%. In the general population, this proportion is only about 3%.

3. Reduce points for women’s health

Hypothyroidism not only affects the next generation, but also has a great impact on the health of women of childbearing age themselves. If female patients with hypothyroidism fail to receive early diagnosis and timely treatment during pregnancy, adverse birth events such as miscarriage, premature birth, placental abruption, and perinatal fetal death may occur.

Given the huge impact of hypothyroidism during pregnancy on the health of both mother and child, experts recommend that women of childbearing age actively check their thyroid function when preparing for pregnancy or in early pregnancy. If hypothyroidism is discovered before pregnancy, treatment should be given to bring thyroid function back to standard before conceiving. If hypothyroidism is diagnosed during pregnancy, drug intervention treatment should be initiated as early as possible to achieve the target as early as possible to ensure normal intellectual development of the offspring.