Experts, however, do not agree on whether testing is necessary for all expectant mothers or only in cases of increased risk. The results of numerous studies conducted since 1999 have shown that reduced activity of the thyroid gland can lead to various complications in pregnancy, reports AP.
While more severe cases are treated with hormonal pills, there is little evidence of changes caused by minor disturbances in the activity of this gland.
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American scientists reviewed data on half a million pregnant women. Of those tested, a surprisingly large number, as many as 15 percent, had an underactive thyroid, five times more than previous estimates.
These results are partly the result of changes in the diagnosis of this health problem, according to the study published in Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism.
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These findings set a task for science to answer the question whether in milder cases it is simply a matter of spending money on diagnosis, testing and treatment.
The thyroid gland, also known as the thyroid, is located in the neck and secretes hormones that regulate the metabolism of other tissues and plays an important role in maintaining health.
Increased activity of the thyroid gland accelerates body functions causing symptoms such as weight loss, nervousness, anxiety, heart failure and vision problems.
However, a more common problem is reduced activity of this gland, which leads to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, depression and dry skin.
Also, one of the consequences of improper functioning of the gland can be an increased level of cholesterol.
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While Dr. Elizabeth Pierce, a well-known endocrinologist at the Boston Medical Center, believes that regardless of whether it is a patient or a member of her family, she would always opt for medical treatment, obstetricians are more skeptical about treatment.
An estimated 20 million Americans have a thyroid disorder that, if severe enough, can affect heart disease, osteoporosis, and infertility.
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Problems with this gland get worse as the years go by, they affect women far more, and additional problems occur during pregnancy.
A sufficient amount of hormones secreted by the thyroid gland is important for the proper development of the fetus’s brain, especially during the first trimester, but also for the prevention of miscarriage and premature birth.
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Scientists generally agree that pregnant women with significantly reduced secretion of these hormones should be treated, and the treatment consists of a once-daily pill that has already been found to be completely safe for mother and fetus.
The subject of recent research is whether less serious cases carry a risk. At the same time, the preliminary results of a British study indicate that no increase in children’s intelligence was observed if the mother was treated.
The most important is the blood test, because even pregnant women with a serious problem may miss the symptoms
American doctors are eagerly awaiting the results of a similar study they conducted, which will be available to them in 2015.
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The Council of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends testing only those women who feel symptoms and who already had problems with the thyroid gland or diabetes before pregnancy.
The American Association for the Treatment of Thyroid Disorders, however, suggests testing all mothers-to-be over the age of 30, with enlarged glands, those who have had problems in previous pregnancies and those who are obese.
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Pregnant women should take care of iodine intake, which is very important for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland.
Source: www.sitoireseto.com
