Hypothyroidism, Thyroid Disease
I miscarried my child at 12 weeks needlessly from maternal hypothyroidism. I knew deep inside me that something was wrong with my pregnancy. I should have gone for a second medical opinion but I didn’t. I was of the belief that doctor knows best and I have to live with that regret for the rest of my life.
Despite mounting evidence of the dangers of maternal thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy, there is still NO universal thyroid screening in pregnancy and this enrages me.
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Thyroid hormones play a critical role in fetal brain development. The fetus depends entirely on maternal thyroid hormones for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, until the baby’s thyroid begins to produce thyroid hormones on its own. For the first trimester the baby is completely dependent on the mother for thyroid hormones necessary for brain development. Babies born to mothers with undiagnosed or inadequately treated hypothyroidism are at risk for lower IQ scores and learning disabilities. Despite the mounting evidence, thyroid screening is currently NOT mandatory in pregnancy. It is SHAMEFUL that countries around the world do not set health policies to protect our babies.
Thyroid screening should be required for every pregnant woman worldwide. [Read more…]
