Risks of hypothyroidism in pregnancy

• April 26, 2024

The hypothyroidism is a condition that is generated when the thyroid gland it does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This disease is more frequent in women and in people older than 50 years.

However, what are the risks of hypothyroidism in pregnancy? In reality there are several, because there is a risk that the mother will suffer a spontaneous abortion , delayed growth of the fetus in the uterus, premature birth, hypertension , physical defects in the neonate, postpartum hemorrhage or even the death of the baby . 

During a press conference, the doctor Alejandro Sosa Caballero , president of the Postgraduate Association In Endocrinology and member of several international medical organizations, he pointed out that the timely diagnosis of diseases of the thyroid gland is crucial:

"For example, all pregnant women who notice that they lose weight and maintain a heart rate above 100 beats per minute should see their doctor immediately to rule out hypothyroidism ”.

According to the health expert, the hypothyroidism in pregnancy it is difficult to diagnose because many of the normal alterations that take place in this stage are similar to the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction; for example, the sensation of heat, excessive sweating, vomiting or accelerated heart rate.

On the other hand, Eduardo Mateos García , Medical Manager of Primary Care of Merck Group, announced that there is a specialized website on the thyroid and that has the approval and scientific research todoentiroides.org

The purpose of this website is to offer quality information on problems and health conditions related to the thyroid gland and is open to patients, family members, doctors, specialists, as well as health professionals and society in general.