How to Treat Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy

Hypothyroidism will develop if your thyroid gland does not produce enough of the hormone that your body uses for energy. Women sometimes develop hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy. If it developed before pregnancy, it might become worse during pregnancy. Hypothyroidism must be treated to prevent, miscarriage, preeclampsia or problems with the developing fetus. Here is how hypothyroidism is treated during pregnancy.

Instructions

1. Make sure your endocrinologist and obstetrician are on the same page when figuring what your levels should be while you are pregnant. In most cases, you will need to see both doctors throughout gestation.

2. Take synthetic T4 orally to maintain a steady blood level of thyroid hormone within the normal range. If you were being treated for an existing hypothyroidism condition, the dosage of medication will probably need to increase during pregnancy.

3. Ensure your medication is properly absorbed by taking it on an empty stomach at least four hours apart from prenatal vitamins. Take either the medication or the prenatal vitamin in the morning and the other before bed.

4. Have your blood levels checked every month to determine if your dosage of medication is correct.

5. Follow your doctor's advice about diet, exercise and lifestyle that might help treat hypothyroidism during your pregnancy.

Tips & Warnings

• Carry a copy of your records just in case of an emergency where your regular doctors are not available to treat you.

• If you develop hypothyroidism during pregnancy, you may develop it again during later pregnancies.