Pregnancy
During pregnancy a slight enlargement of the thyroid gland may occur, since during this time increased thyroid hormones must be produced. The increased production rate is reflected in a proliferation of the thyroid gland tissue. The pregnant woman also needs more iodine than usual during this time, instead of 200 micrograms per day, about 230 micrograms.
Finally, the child must also be supplied with iodine. During pregnancy, therefore, an enlargement is absolutely normal. Only if the enlargement becomes noticeably large and interferes with swallowing and breathing is more precise clarification indicated.In children, an iodine deficiency and the associated thyroid enlargement can have serious consequences: Even an insufficient supply of iodine during pregnancy can trigger an underactive thyroid in children.
An undersupply during and shortly after birth – leads with high probability to mental retardation, since the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are necessary for the formation of the brain. A delay in iodine substitution after and during pregnancy has been shown to result in a double-digit reduction in the intelligence quotient in children. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy and in children is considered the most common preventable cause of retardation worldwide. Therefore, especially during pregnancy, a precise control of thyroid gland values is important.
Conclusion
Thyroid enlargement does not necessarily have to be a life-threatening complication as long as it is cleared and treated quickly enough. Nowadays, the therapy has become very simple and without complications. This makes it all the more important to seek medical advice early on if an enlargement is detected.
Serious late effects, as retardation in children show, why in this case alternative concepts such as homeopathy should not be used, but a scientifically based treatment should be applied. For the prophylaxis of an enlargement of the thyroid gland, iodine-rich foods such as fish, dairy products and iodized table salt are recommended.
