English
Ελληνικα
The thyroid is an endocrine gland, which is located in the lower part of the anterior surface of the neck and is shaped like a butterfly. The thyroid gland produces hormones that are essential for the organism’s proper function, i.e. the function of the brain, the heart, the muscles and other organ systems. In addition, it regulates the body’s temperature and manages the energy our body consumes.
In approximately 10% of pregnancies some form of thyroid disease already exists or occurs during gestation. It is crucial that the disorder is located and that the pregnant woman follows the indicated therapy. This is necessary because the hormonal imbalance, during such a vulnerable and critical period of intrauterine life, entails disorders during neonatal life, childhood or adolescence.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland is under-active.
It is related with adverse effects concerning the progress of the pregnancy, as well as fetal growth. If the disorder has been detected beforehand, it should be corrected before the onset of pregnancy. In the case it hasn’t been detected early enough, it should be managed promptly.
The mother’s condition is associated with impairment in the fetus cognitive development. This happens because not enough hormones are provided to the fetus through the placenta.
The mother’s treatment is the solution
Hyperthyroidism
In this thyroid function disorder, large quantities of thyroid hormones circulate in the blood, due to thyroid hyperactivity.
Hyperthyroidism must be managed because it causes adverse effects to both the mother and the fetus. If there is accompanying goiter (swelling of the neck or larynx), the woman must undergo screening for Graves’ disease. Neonates of mothers with Graves disease must be checked for potential thyroid disorder.
Thyroiditis
This is common in pregnant women and it suggests an inflamed thyroid gland. It also occurs in 5–10% of women after parturition. Its commonest form is Hashimoto thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disease, i.e. antibodies turn against the thyroid gland. Rarely, this condition can be caused by infection from a virus or a microbe (bacteria etc.).
Thyroiditis is associated with increased likelihood for missed abortion (retention of dead products of conception in the uterus) during the first trimester, therefore, thyroxine therapy must be carried out.
Thyroid nodes
If during pregnancy, nodes that are larger than 1 cm, or older ones that have been growing, are detected, we must examine them with fine needle aspiration aided by ultrasound.
Iodine and the thyroid gland
Our organism does not produce iodine, an element that is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. Therefore, we must receive iodine through nutrition.
Foods that contain iodine are:
- Iodized salt
- Fish
- Crustaceans
- Seaweed (kelp, nori, dulce)
- Soya (milk, sauce)
- Cow’s milk
- Cheese
- Yoghurt
- Eggs
- Certain types of bread
- Meat
In Greece........
We usually receive sufficient iodine through our nutrition but mainly through sea salt. On a world wide scale, however, iodine deficiency remains a big problem for public health
Iodine deficiency can lead to:
Goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland)
Hypothyroidism
A mother’s iodine deficiency and untreated hypothyroidism during pregnancy, can lead to severe mental impairments to the child. Caution is needed in cases where salt intake has to be reduced.
Due to the fact that even little iodine deficiency during pregnancy and breastfeeding can have adverse effects to the fetus and the newborn baby, we must ensure that our nutrition contains enough iodine.
Medicines that we receive during pregnancy, we continue to do so during breastfeeding, or we differentiate them according to our hormone levels.
