Subclinical hypothyroidism, which is characterized by changes in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels that aren’t severe enough to cause symptoms, is also particularly common during pregnancy — affecting up to 1 in 4 pregnant women — and can be a warning sign of full-blown hypothyroidism, which can have serious symptoms including fatigue, depression and heart problems, says Michael Varner, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Utah Health. This progression to overt hypothyroidism is more common in patients whose thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are more than twice normal..
the study 307 pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism and 229 pregnant women with confirmed hypothyroidism were followed for 1 to 5 years. The analysis reveals that:
- Pregnant women who have higher levels of antibodies against the thyroid enzyme, indicating that the body is mounting an autoimmune response against the thyroid, also have a greater risk of developing hypothyroidism within 5 years after giving birth than pregnant women whose antibody levels remain lower.
- Pregnant women who are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, a deficiency of thyroid hormone, before 21 weeks of pregnancy are not at increased risk of developing overt hypothyroidism after delivery.
These gynecologists conclude that these data provide further evidence that The postpartum period is a period when women are vulnerable to autoimmune diseases. However, it does not reveal any differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes in children at the age of five, After prenatal treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism or hypothyroidism.
