Dr.

Rheze Serhati Morina


Endocrinologist


tel.

049667722

In fact, it is unsafe not to take the medication if you have been prescribed it

If you have hypothyroidism (an inactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism that is much less pronounced (an overactive thyroid), you will need to take medication and be monitored by an endocrinologist.

Some women may have thyroid disease before pregnancy, and others may develop it during pregnancy.

Medications for the treatment of hypothyroidism during pregnancy

The most common reason pregnant women take thyroid medication is to treat hypothyroidism - when your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones.

Levothyroxine is the standard treatment for hypothyroidism.

It is a synthetic form of thyroid hormone that poses no risk to your developing baby

During pregnancy, the thyroid gland should produce about 40% more hormone for you and your developing baby.

Women who either do not produce or do not get enough thyroid hormone during pregnancy are at greater risk for complications, including abortion, preeclampsia and premature birth.

Other risks include anemia, muscle aches, postpartum hemorrhage, and placental abnormalities.

Untreated hypothyroidism in pregnancy can affect your baby, as thyroid hormone plays a critical role in the baby's brain development.

If you are pregnant and have been given levothyroxine, keep taking it.

You will probably need to take an extra dose to make up for the extra need for thyroid hormone during pregnancy, so let your doctor know as soon as you know you are pregnant so your doctor can test your hormone levels and adjust the dose.

The correct dose of medication will be based on your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level.

The goal is to have a TSH of less than 4.0 mIU / L (ml international units per liter), although your doctor will try to keep your TSH below 2.5 during pregnancy and sometimes even before pregnancy to make pregnancy easier.

TSH level is the best way to show if you are getting enough thyroid hormone.

It is measured with a blood test.

In pregnancy, it is often important to test for free thyroxine, or "free T4".

The doctor will follow both of these levels to make sure they stay within the proper limits.

Thyroid function will be measured at least every trimester, although during the first half of pregnancy you may be tested more often until the correct dose of the drug is determined and gland function is adjusted.

Medications for the treatment of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy

A less common condition that occurs in 1-4 in every 1000 pregnancies is hyperthyroidism.

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition in which the body produces an antibody that causes the thyroid to release many hormones.

Slightly elevated thyroid hormone levels are often safe during pregnancy.

However, severe and untreated hyperthyroidism in pregnancy can cause problems such as miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, placental abruption, preeclampsia, the so-called "thyroid storm" and congestive heart failure.

Two antithyroid drugs - propylthiouracil and methimazole - are the main drugs used to treat Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism during pregnancy.

These drugs work to reduce the amount of hormone released by the thyroid gland.

The endocrinologist may prescribe propylthiouracil early in pregnancy, when most of the fetal development is taking place, and switch to metimazole later in pregnancy.

If you have hyperthyroidism, you will need to have an endocrinological check-up, in addition to the visits you make to your obstetrician.

They will work together to regularly test thyroid function levels during pregnancy and can help you make the best decision about using these medications.

When medication is needed, the endocrinologist will give you the lowest effective dose to normalize the value of thyroid hormones.

The symptoms of hyperthyroidism may improve during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, so the dose needed may be reduced as your pregnancy progresses.

Some pregnant women the endocrinologist may recommend that they discontinue all antithyroid drugs before giving birth.

In rare cases, the antibodies that cause Graves' disease can cross the placenta and affect your baby.

These antibodies can cause the baby's thyroid to produce a lot of thyroid hormones.

Women who have been successfully treated for Graves 'disease may still have this antibody and require special monitoring during pregnancy, so be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of Graves' disease or hyperthyroidism.

After birth your body changes, so the endocrinologist will continue to monitor you to make sure your medication is correct.

It is not uncommon for Graves' disease to appear in the postpartum period.

Antithyroid medications are considered safe to take in low doses during breastfeeding.

It is extremely rare, but the pediatrician will also monitor your newborn for thyroid problems which may be present at birth.

Examination of newborns for hypothyroidism should be standard for all infants, but infants born to mothers with Graves' disease will need additional testing.

/ Telegraphy /