Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy Loss: What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You

There may be a connection between hypothyroidism and pregnancy loss that many women are unaware of until it affects them directly.

Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid does not make enough thyroid hormone for the body to function optimally.

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Women provide all of the thyroid hormone for their babies during the first trimester, so they need about 50 percent more hormone in order to handle these needs, an endocrinologist from the American Thyroid Association tells Fit Pregnancy.

Thyroid hormones are responsible for fetal brain and nervous system development, so problems with development may occur when babies don't get enough thyroid hormone during their early development, according to The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ Thyroid Awareness page. Increased incidence of miscarriage can occur when fetal development is severely impacted.

Women with pre-existing hypothyroidism need more medication during pregnancy, but many cases of hypothyroidism go undiagnosed prior to a woman becoming pregnant.

Symptoms of underactive thyroid include extreme fatigue, weight gain, constipation, and always feeling cold. Women having unusual symptoms can be tested and treated to help prevent problems early in the first trimester of pregnancy.

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Although about 60 percent of miscarriages are due to genetics, hypothyroidism is a common cause of nongenetic miscarriages, fertility expert Dr. Hugh Melnick writes for Hypothyroid Mom.

According to Melnick, even a slightly elevated TSA level, a condition labeled subclinical hypothyroidism, has shown increased risk of miscarriage or even an inability to conceive at all. Melnick’s work with fertility seems to indicate that many pregnancy problems can be prevented if hypothyroidism, however slight, is treated.

Hypothyroidism is typically treated with levothyroxine sodium or with natural supplements, both of which are completely safe for use during pregnancy, so treatment poses no risks to the developing fetus.

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