Endocrine and metabolic changes in pregnancy-influence of TSH levels
Endocrine and metabolic changes in pregnancy-influence of TSH levels
When we talk about pregnancy hormones, the majority will be familiar with terms of progesterone and estrogen. While the first one is considered as a “keeper of pregnancy” and healthy baby’s development, the second is supportive and sometimes, too much of it can mess with balance so many doctors will prescribe progesterone to be taken even if a woman didn’t have any situation pointing on difficulties with the pregnancy. These two hormones, along with others, will keep balance and maintain perfect conditions for the baby’s development. Besides the lack of progesterone, hormones of the thyroid gland can also affect pregnancy development.
Recently, values for TSH hormones in early pregnancy were tested as one of the necessary parameters, even in healthy women who previously didn’t have thyroid disorders and it proved that many of them had increased values for TSH hormones. (In this group of testing women were not present in women who previously had problems with the thyroid, and who knew which medication to take in consultation with their doctors. For these women, it proved that taking the medication regularly had no negative impact on babies and pregnancy, as long as they monitored TSH levels.)
While desiring values are below 2.3, the tested group of women had these values well above, up to 8.00. Most of them were treated with medication. As a result, it proved that values were decreased in about one to two months after taking medicine and for women who choose not to take medicine, values were decreased in about 3-4 months. In the second group of women, who chosen not to take medicine, unfortunately, some had preterm (premature) labor. Next to the negative effect of TSH increased value, we have to take account of genetic influence, since the majority of preterm (premature) labors was caused by genetic disorders or cause cannot be clearly determined.
In order to prevent these situations, precautions must be taken. Precautions include a blood test, hormonal status, including progesterone, estrogen, TSH levels for all women.
