Maintaining optimal thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy is very important. This is necessary in order for the baby to fully grow and develop in the mother's womb. A low TSH level during pregnancy is a dangerous condition that requires mandatory correction.
What it is?
There is quite a strong interaction between the thyroid gland and the pituitary gland. Both of these organs release hormones into the bloodstream, which are necessary for many reactions and vital processes in the body.
The pituitary gland is the structure of the brain. It releases a hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone into the systemic circulation. Its appearance in the blood leads to the fact that the thyroid gland begins to produce its hormonal substances.
Reduced levels of TSH in the blood contribute to the fact that a variety of pathologies begin to appear both in the body of the future mother and her developing baby.
Maintaining a balance between thyroid and thyroid-stimulating hormones is very important when planning a pregnancy. This situation is necessary in order for conception to occur successfully and the intrauterine development of the baby to begin.
TSH does not directly have a significant effect on the female body. The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 affect the processes taking place in it. They have an effect on the work of the cardiovascular, nervous system, as well as on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
A decrease in TSH promotes an increase in thyroid hormones in the blood, which leads to the fact that the expectant mother begins to develop certain adverse clinical manifestations.
Symptoms
The severity of clinical signs of reduced TSH in the blood is different. In many ways, it depends on how much the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 have become elevated. With their significant increase in the expectant mother, unfavorable symptoms begin to appear, which significantly worsen the quality of her life.
This situation leads to the fact that the woman begins to lose weight. In some cases, her body weight remains normal, but the doctors do not notice significant increases due to the timing of pregnancy.
The woman begins to lose weight against the background of increased appetite... Some mothers note that in this state they experience "wolfish" hunger and begin to consume a huge amount of food. At the same time, it can be quite difficult for them to get enough.
The woman sweats a lot. Moreover, she, as a rule, complains of the appearance of a large amount of sweat on almost all parts of her body. Such a systemic hyperhidrosis worries the expectant mother both during the daytime and at night.
Increase in blood T3 and T4 contributes to disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system. This usually manifests itself as changes and irregularities in the heart rhythm.
A frequent manifestation of this situation is the development of arrhythmia. In this case, the woman may feel “interruptions” in the work of the heart or an inconsistent heart rate. It is especially unfavorable if, against the background of such a situation, the expectant mother develops pronounced dizziness.
Blood pressure surges are another possible symptom that occurs with a decrease in TSH in the blood. Often a woman complains of a persistent increase in blood pressure. In this case, as a rule, the "upper" or systolic blood pressure rises. With an unfavorable course of pathology, its numbers can even reach 160-180 mm. rt. Art. and higher.
The increasing concentration of thyroid hormones in the blood leads to neurological disorders. This is usually manifested by the appearance of severe pathological tremors (tremors) of the hands.
This symptom makes it difficult for a woman to insert a thread into a needle or even write with a pen on paper.
Some expectant mothers who have a reduced concentration of TSH in the blood complain to their doctors that they have a constant feeling of "heat". This leads to the fact that the woman chooses inappropriate clothes for walking on the street and catches a cold. Excessive sweating also contributes to the development of colds.
Behavior change is one of the most characteristic symptoms that occur with this pathology. It manifests itself in the fact that the expectant mother develops severe anxiety, nervousness.
Many women with these disorders increase their aggressiveness. They can "flare up" over trifles, often quarrel with their husbands and close relatives, they can "break out" on children.
Excessive activity and the desire for vigorous activity are also a characteristic feature of this pathology. Despite her position, a woman tries to lead a very active lifestyle, she is constantly on the move. Her day, literally, is scheduled by the minute. Against the background of such vigorous activity, she does not feel any fatigue.
The increase in blood T3 and T4 contributes to the fact that the woman starts to speak faster... Quite often, this is manifested by the fact that she begins to "talk" and even confuse words. It is important to note that the expectant mother does not notice these violations in her behavior.
If her relatives tell her about this, then the reaction to criticism is extremely aggressive.
Norms
The concentration of thyroid hormone in the blood varies throughout pregnancy. This is due to the fact that the hormonal background of the expectant mother is undergoing constant changes. The jump in the concentration indicators in her blood of hCG, prolactin and other specific pregnancy hormones leads to the fact that the level of TSH also changes.
In the very first days from the moment of conception of the baby, the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone in his mother's blood is very low. Then it starts to increase gradually. In the first half of pregnancy, the average blood concentration of this hormone, as a rule, is from 0.1 to 3 mIU / ml... In the future, the level of TSH only increases. In the second half of pregnancy, its normal values are from 0.2 to 4 mIU / ml.
It is important to note that the reference limits for this indicator may differ slightly from laboratory to laboratory.
It depends on what equipment the analyzes are performed on, as well as what units of measurement a particular medical institution uses. You can pass such a laboratory test in the direction of the endocrinologist of the antenatal clinic or on your own.
Consequences for the fetus
If the TSH in the blood of the expectant mother is significantly and for a long time reduced, this can lead to rather dangerous complications for her child. Quite often, this situation leads to the fact that the baby's natural processes of intrauterine development are disrupted. This pathology is also dangerous by the development of unwanted anomalies and defects that can form in the fetus in different periods of its growth.
The most critical situation is spontaneous miscarriage. It usually develops very early in pregnancy. This situation is accompanied, as a rule, by the development of severe bleeding and the appearance of a pronounced pain syndrome in the abdomen in the expectant mother. In this case, an emergency hospitalization of the woman in a hospital is required for her intensive treatment.
A persistent decrease in TSH in the blood in late pregnancy can contribute to the formation of various pathologies of the placenta. This leads to disruption of blood flow through the uteroplacental blood flow system, which is dangerous for the fetus by the development of persistent and severe hypoxia.
Treatment
Revealing a decrease in thyroid hormone in the blood is an obligatory reason for referring the expectant mother to a consultation with an endocrinologist. This doctor will palpate the thyroid gland, as well as a full clinical examination.
If necessary, the specialist can prescribe additional tests, as well as an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland. These tests are necessary to establish a correct diagnosis.
A significant decrease in TSH in the blood of the expectant mother is an indication for prescribing her antithyroid drugs... These drugs lower T3 and T4 levels, helping to relieve the woman's adverse symptoms.
The selection of these medicines is carried out strictly individually. For this, the initial state of the woman, her weight, the nature of the course of pregnancy, as well as the potential risk that such drugs may have on the fetus are assessed.
To eliminate unwanted symptoms from the cardiovascular system, the expectant mother is prescribed medications aimed at correcting the violations that have arisen.
You can eliminate arrhythmia with beta blockers. These drugs should be used as needed.
They can be used constantly only with the permission of a cardiologist.
Monitoring of the prescribed therapy is carried out using regular ECGs. Such studies help doctors assess how much the heart rate has changed and whether any disorders remain with the use of drugs.
Conservative therapy with drugs - the basic measure that is used in pregnant women. If it is ineffective, surgical treatment is usually required. However, during pregnancy, doctors try not to resort to this method of therapy.
These operations are performed only under general anesthesia. All drugs are extremely toxic to the fetus. Surgical treatment of pathologies of the thyroid gland is carried out only for strict medical reasons and when the life of a pregnant woman is at risk.
The endocrinologist monitors the patient's condition during pregnancy. It is this specialist, and not an obstetrician-gynecologist, who can select drugs, as well as the choice of their required dosage.
If necessary, a woman is referred for a consultation with an endocrinologist - a surgeon to determine further tactics of her observation.
For information on what to do with low TSH, see the next video.
