Thyroid disease and pregnancy

  Among young patients suffering from thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism), some are afraid to get pregnant after the disease, mainly because they are afraid of affecting their offspring, and want to get rid of the disease before they get pregnant, which affects the treatment of the disease. The problem is that some people are afraid of having abortions or even multiple abortions after they get pregnant, and then seek medical help for infertility, which is costly and painful. In fact, it is only natural for people with thyroid disease to have offspring. In recent years, most of the children born to patients with thyroid disease are healthy and cute if they do not seek medical help and plan their pregnancy well under the guidance of a doctor. Whenever they bring their children to us to share their happiness, the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment for the doctor at this time is indescribable.  Therefore, how to plan a pregnancy in order to achieve eugenics is the main concern of patients and their families, and is also a question often asked by many Internet users.  I. Hyperthyroidism patients, when preparing for pregnancy must meet the following: 1, first of all, hyperthyroidism pregnancy requires treatment, the disease should be controlled relatively stable. In other words, the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are relieved, the blood FT3, FT4 and TSH are normal, and the oral medication has entered the maintenance period.  2. When preparing for pregnancy, propylthiouracil should be used because it does not pass through the placenta and can minimize the effect of drugs on the fetus. If you are treated with imidazole (Tabazol or Sage), you need to switch to propylthiouracil before you can get pregnant.  3, about a month before preparing for pregnancy, test TRAb, the TSH receptor antibody, if TRAb negative, that is, the second step in the preparation for pregnancy, because TRAb positive prone to neonatal hyperthyroidism.  4. During pregnancy, the levels of FT3, FT4 and TSH must be tested regularly (preferably once a month for the first few months), and the dose of medication should be adjusted correctly in time to ensure that the condition is controlled with the smallest dose of medication (at present, it is believed that taking medication for pregnancy is beneficial for the control of the condition and avoiding its exacerbation due to pregnancy).  5. It is best to deliver the baby in a general hospital and to consult an endocrinologist in time if there is any change in the condition. At the time of delivery, the umbilical cord blood should be tested for nail function and receptor antibodies (FT3, FT4, TSH, TRAb, etc.) to understand the condition of the mother and baby in time, and the above items should be rechecked after the child is full term.  6. Closely observe the baby’s daily life. If the baby refuses to take milk, is easily irritable, refuses to sleep, does not gain weight and other abnormalities compared with other babies, promptly consult a doctor.  7.After delivery, the mother also needs to monitor her nail function regularly. Generally, she does not breastfeed, and if she needs to continue to take medication, she only uses propyl sulfide (so the medication passes through the breast milk less).  Second, hypothyroid patients, should also pay attention to the following: 1, nail function must be normal (FT3, FT4, TSH) also pay attention to TGAb, TPOAb. 2, can not stop using hypothyroid drugs, such as pregnant women are still in hypothyroidism, fetal development will be affected, especially the development of brain and bone, there may be cretinism. However, if the pregnant woman’s A function has been stable and normal during pregnancy, the child can be completely normal.  3. Be sure to have regular checkups during pregnancy. For patients with hypothyroidism combined with pregnancy, as the gestational week increases, the body’s demand for thyroid hormone also changes, so it is necessary to regularly review FT3, FT4 and TSH and adjust the drug dose to ensure the normal development of the fetus.  4. It is best to deliver the baby in a general hospital, and to consult an endocrinologist in time if there is any change in the condition. At the time of delivery, cord blood should be tested for A function and antibodies (FT3, FT4, TSH, TGAb, TPOAb, etc.) to understand the situation of mother and baby in time, and the above items should be rechecked after the child is full term. As well as early screening and timely treatment of congenital hypothyroid children.  5.After delivery, we should continue to take medication according to the condition of A function and adjust the dose of medication in time.  6. After the birth of the fetus, the baby’s daily life should also be closely observed. If it appears drowsy, unresponsive, refuses to eat, etc., it should be promptly seen by a doctor.  In conclusion, women of childbearing age with thyroid disease must be under the guidance of endocrinologists and obstetricians and gynecologists for pregnancy and delivery in order to ensure the health of mother and child.