Treatment
To compensate for the low hormone levels in hypothyroidism, the pregnant woman is given thyroid hormones in the form of tablets. This treatment is also considered safe during pregnancy and has no negative effects on the unborn child. In hormone replacement therapy, the thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Euthyrox®) is administered.
This is an active ingredient that corresponds to natural thyorxine (T4) and supplies the growing fetus with the necessary hormones. If the drug is administered in the correct dosage, no side effects occur. Pregnancy course of women suffering from hypothyroidism and taking the tablets is good.
Taking thyroid hormones during pregnancy should be done only on doctor’s orders. In addition, thyroid and blood levels must be checked regularly during pregnancy to ensure that they are at an optimal level. Depending on the severity of the hypofunction and the appropriate dose of tablets to be taken, irregular intake or premature discontinuation of the medication may lead to developmental disorders in the child.
However, if the taking of the medication has been forgotten once, this usually has no serious consequences. It is recommended that the child continues to take the medication at a normal rhythm and does not take the missed dose additionally. During pregnancy, the need for thyroid hormones increases, as both the mother and the child need to be supplied with them.
Maternal hypothyroidism can be compensated for by taking appropriate doses of thyroid hormones. These drugs should be taken regularly during pregnancy and the function of the thyroid gland should be closely monitored by a doctor. If the medication is forgotten several times or discontinued early against medical advice, this can have drastic consequences for the unborn child.
The lack of thyroid hormones in the fetus can lead to mental retardation and physical malformations. In addition, the risk of spontaneous miscarriage or premature birth increases. The risk that the placenta will detach prematurely and that the child will suffer damage as a result is increased. Untreated, hypothyroidism in pregnant women is also associated with
- A low birth weight,
- An increased risk of pre-eclampsia (pregnancy poisoning)
- And an increased mortality of the mother during birth is associated.
