What does a low thyroid mean to a pregnancy

TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels affect the function of many of the body's organs including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin. Untreated low thyroid function can contribute to high cholesterol levels, heart disease, infertility, muscle weakness and osteoporosis. Low thyroid function is relatively common in pregnancy affecting as many as five percent of pregnant women. If you are pregnant and have a low thyroid level, discuss this with your doctor and see what course of treatment (s)he would recommend. Good luck, Susu

ThyroChek®, the first rapid screening test to detect thyroid deficiencies in the convenience of the doctor's office, is now available from Healthcare Providers Direct, Inc. (OTCBB: HPRD), a growing company focused on the development and distribution of rapid diagnostic tests directly to physicians' offices. ThyroChek® quickly and accurately detects elevated levels of human thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), the primary indicator of low thyroid function commonly known as hypothyroidism.

"Thyroid disorders that affect pregnancy can be easily treated, but early detection is crucial. ThyroChek® is a fast, simple and accurate way to effectively test this large population of women," noted Norman Proulx, Healthcare Providers Direct Chief Executive Officer. "Until recently, young women of childbearing age were not considered for thyroid testing because it was thought to be a condition primarily experienced by older women. Now there is mounting medical data indicating that hypothyroidism during pregnancy is associated with miscarriages, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, placental abruption and developmental problems."

ThyroChek® is an easy test to use and provides results while the patient is still in the office, allowing the doctor to determine appropriate treatment levels at the earliest possible time. One drop of blood from a simple finger stick is placed on the ThyroChek® cassette - if two pink lines appear in 10 minutes, the patient is positive for elevated levels of TSH, the primary indicator of low thyroid function. ThyroChek® is a qualitative test.

"Classic symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, constipation, intolerance to cold, muscle cramps, hair loss, dry skin, weight gain and insomnia. These same symptoms are common and almost indistinguishable in pregnancy, leaving pregnant women with virtually no warning signs of low thyroid levels. We believe this further punctuates the need for routine thyroid testing in prenatal care," continued Mr. Proulx.

Thyroid hormone levels affect the function of many of the body's organs including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin. Untreated low thyroid function can contribute to high cholesterol levels, heart disease, infertility, muscle weakness and osteoporosis. Low thyroid function is relatively common in pregnancy affecting as many as five percent of pregnant women.
Listen though, all this sounds scarey, dont stress yourself out about it, I have hypothyroid and take medication for it. While I was pregnant I didnt have a problem with it, your doctor would just check your thryroid levels often and readjust the medication. Most times they would need to up the dose a little during pregnancy. But get checked out, it is important. Good Luck, Hope this helped