Thyroid gland greatly affects pregnancy
During pregnancy, thyroid hormones participate in regulating metabolism, energy and supporting brain and nervous system development of the fetus. In the early stages of pregnancy, the baby is almost completely dependent on thyroid hormones from the mother.
Riny John - health writer at BoldSky (India) - said that even mild thyroid disorders during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, gestational hypertension or low birth weight babies.
According to the World Health Organization, hypothyroid or hyperthyroid hormones can affect the nerve development of the fetus. Therefore, early screening and periodic thyroid function monitoring are considered necessary for pregnant women with a history of endocrine diseases.
Iodine, selenium and iron are important nutrients
Iodine is an important component for the body to produce thyroid hormones T3 and T4. During pregnancy, the need for iodine increases because the mother's body must meet it simultaneously for herself and the fetus.
According to the National Institutes of Health, iodine deficiency during pregnancy can affect brain development and cognitive abilities of children after birth. However, supplementing too much iodine can also cause thyroid dysfunction, especially in people with autoimmune thyroid disease.
In addition to iodine, selenium also plays an important role in thyroid hormone metabolism and protects cells from oxidative stress. Some studies show that selenium can support thyroid activity in people with Hashimoto thyroiditis.
Iron is also a necessary nutrient because iron deficiency not only causes anemia but also reduces the activity of enzymes involved in producing thyroid hormones. This condition can make pregnant women more tired and make hypothyroid symptoms worse.
Experts recommend that pregnant women with thyroid disease should not arbitrarily supplement micronutrients. The use of drugs, vitamins and minerals needs to be monitored by doctors to avoid the risk of excess or nutritional imbalance during pregnancy.
