Thyroid and Pregnancy

Did you know that the American Thyroid Association has issued multiple public health statements to warn about the dangers of hypothyroidism and pregnancy? Hypothyroidism, an under-active thyroid, increases the risk of pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage, still birth, infertility, maternal anemia, pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, premature delivery, low birth weight, and deficits in intellectual development in infants. Despite the warnings, not all doctors know the ramifications of an undiagnosed or under-treated thyroid condition on a mother and her fetus.

I lost my unborn baby needlessly. What I want other women to know about thyroid disease

I lost my unborn baby needlessly. What I want other women to know about thyroid disease.

If you knew you weren’t feeling well during your pregnancy, why didn’t you get a second medical opinion? [Read more…]

Thyroid Hormone, Birth Defects, and the Developing Brain

Thyroid Hormone, Birth Defects and the Developing Brain

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.
[Read more…]

Infertility, Miscarriage, and Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Infertility, Miscarriage, and Subclinical Hypothyroidism

I wish more than anything I had found a good thyroid doctor before I miscarried my baby unnecessarily to hypothyroidism. My child may be alive today.

I hope this article by New York City reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Hugh Melnick finds all the women struggling with infertility and miscarriage. [Read more…]

In Memory of the Premature Babies Lost to Hypothyroid Moms on World Prematurity Day

In Memory of the Premature Babies Lost to Hypothyroid Moms on World Prematurity Day

November is Prematurity Awareness Month and November 17 is World Prematurity Day. This post is written in memory of all the preemie babies lost to hypothyroid moms across the globe.
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Help Save Babies! Universal Thyroid Screening In Pregnancy

Help Save Babies! Universal Thyroid Screening in Pregnancy

I wonder if I am crazy to think I can change the world, but something deep inside me tells me that this is what I am supposed to do. I launched my blog Hypothyroid Mom on October 1st, 2012 in memory of the unborn baby I lost to hypothyroidism and in dedication to my two boys who beat the odds and made it to the world. When I wrote that first post Have You Suffered A Miscarriage? Your Thyroid Could Be To Blame the words poured out on the page as if someone other than me wrote it. Somehow I knew my unborn baby was watching over me. I know my mission to bring about UNIVERSAL THYROID SCREENING IN PREGNANCY is my destiny. I lost my unborn baby so needlessly. I will ensure my baby did not die in vain by saving babies all across the globe. With your help I will make this happen.

[Read more…]

Maternal Hypothyroidism And Fetal Brain Development

Maternal Hypothyroidism and Fetal Brain Development

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…]