PREGNANCY-BIRTH Messages for January, 2002: Re: What Can Happen to a Fetus if Mom has Untreated Hypothyroid Disease?

search:

Re: What Can Happen to a Fetus if Mom has Untreated Hypothyroid Disease?

From: Richard Chudacoff, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 5 Jan 2002 16:48:51 -0600 (CST)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Richard Chudacoff, MD: "Re: What if I don't treat my gestational diabetes ? (I hate needles!!)"
Previous message: Richard Chudacoff, MD: "Re: question about dilation"
In reply to: Daphne: "What Can Happen to a Fetus if Mom has Untreated Hypothyroid Disease?"

At Sat, 5 Jan 2002, Daphne wrote: >
>I am 38 and 5.5 wks pregnant. This is my first pregnancy. I'd been
>having trouble conceiving, and was scheduled to get a standard day-3
>blood workup that would have included a TSH test, when I took an HPT and
>found out I was pregnant (yea!). My OB ordered a blood test to confirm
>the pregnancy, but all he ordered was the HCG. A friend of mine who is
>at 16 weeks was tested as soon as she found out she was pregnant and put
>on synthroid immediately. She is very concerned bc she thinks that my
>doc should have ordered a TSH test along with the HCG bc --according to
>her-- untreated hypothyroidism can lead to developmental defects in the
>fetus like low brain function, etc. Is this true?
>
>About 7 years ago (before I was seeing my current OBGYN), I was treated
>for a few months by an endo for hypothyroidism and eventually went off
>of the synthroid bc my levels went back to normal. I know that at 8
>weeks, I will be getting a full blood workup that will probably include
>TSH levels, but given my age and my background, should I call my doc (I
>hate bothering him) and ask for a TSH test right away? What are the
>risks to the fetus if the Mom has low thyroid?
>Thanks, as always for your time and for your excellent advice.
>
>--
>Daphne
>

It is true that there is a potential for hypothyroidism in the mother to affect the unborn fetus. In my new ob panel I do check TSH. At 5.5 weeks estimated gestational age, your level of the thyroid is not going to affect the embryo, but it may affect the pregnancy. If there was a suspicion that you were hypothyroid, I probably would have ordered at TSH and a free T4, which measures the unbound thyroid hormone.

-- Richard Chudacoff, MD, FACOG Chudacoff Obstetrics & Gynecology, PLLC Sugar Land, TX

Note: opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.

**Private emails cannot be entertained due to time constraints; consequently, they will receive no response.

**Thank you for understanding :).**

Next message: Richard Chudacoff, MD: "Re: What if I don't treat my gestational diabetes ? (I hate needles!!)"
Previous message: Richard Chudacoff, MD: "Re: question about dilation"
In reply to: Daphne: "What Can Happen to a Fetus if Mom has Untreated Hypothyroid Disease?"

recommended search...

OBGYN.net forums endometriosis zone Web

use when must restrict search to only the pregnancy & birth forum...
Enter search keywords:
Returns per screen: Require all keywords:

Return to Report TECHNICAL Problems ONLY to: webmaster@obgyn.net
Last Updated: Thu Jun 18 13:56:23 2009

Women's Insurance Checklist from Auto Insurance Quote