Why should pregnant women in the first 3 months of pregnancy have a thyroid screening test?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Ly Thi Thanh Nha - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec International General Hospital Da Nang.
Research suggests that pregnant women are at increased risk of thyroid dysfunction, including hypothyroidism. Gestational thyroid disease is very dangerous for the development of pregnancy and the health of the mother, especially in the first trimester. Therefore, screening for thyroid disease in the first months of pregnancy is very important. So why is it important to have a thyroid screening test in the first 3 months of pregnancy? And what benefits does this bring to the pregnant mother and the development of the fetus? Let's find out in the article below.

1. How dangerous is thyroid disease during pregnancy?

Obstetricians said that in the first 13 weeks, the fetus does not have a thyroid gland, so it is completely dependent on the amount of thyroid hormone provided by the mother through the placenta. This is an important period for the formation and division of organs on the fetus's body, having enough hormones is very important, which means if a pregnant woman has thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. will affect the fetus during this period and can cause very dangerous complications for the baby.
Specifically, when a pregnant mother has hypothyroidism along with high blood pressure, it will easily lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, placental abruption, even because there is not enough hormone to provide for the growth of the fetus. Children may be born dull, mentally retarded. Pregnant women with hyperthyroidism will cause complications for the fetus such as miscarriage, low birth weight, premature delivery, pre-eclampsia syndrome... and especially dangerous, hyperthyroidism at birth will affect affect the lives of both mother and baby.

Pregnant women with thyroid disease will cause dangerous consequences. In which, if the mother has hypothyroidism, she will face many risks:
Miscarriage rate doubles The risk of birth defects increases by 20% And 1⁄2 of babies are born with mental retardation. god of movement

2. Who should be screened for thyroid disease in pregnancy?

Pregnant women have a high risk of thyroid diseases and have been diagnosed with thyroid diseases before such as basedow, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, simple goiter, thyroid nodule... Have a family history of the disease. Thyroid disease Pregnant women who have had thyroid disease in previous pregnancies Pregnant women with poor obstetrics such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, birth defects... Women with type 1 diabetes Women with autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis... Women being treated for hypothyroidism Women with a history of thyroidectomy, radiation treatment of the same neck, head... Doctor recommended Report the above subjects need to perform screening tests for gestational thyroid disease, which are TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) and FT4 (Free Thyroxine) tests to evaluate thyroid function and during pregnancy, should be monitored regularly.

3. Pregnant women should be screened for thyroid disease

Pregnant women need to check their thyroid function through the necessary tests, even if they are not at high risk or have no symptoms. Pregnant women need a TPO antibody test to screen for thyroid function because of the risk of hypothyroidism causing miscarriage. Test for TSH before planning a pregnancy, during the first 3 months of pregnancy, and again when the fetus is 6 months old.
Thyroid disease screening tests for pregnant mothers are designed by Vinmec International General Hospital in the maternity package package. Besides, pregnant women will be clinically examined by specialists for goiter, do T4, T3 and TSH hormone tests, and perform necessary tests when indicated.
Maternity packages at Vinmec from the first months have been tested for thyroid disease screening and monitored for treatment care if problems are detected. Doctors will have a treatment plan to keep the thyroid hormone levels in balance and stabilize the health of both mother and baby during pregnancy.
It is very good to diagnose and screen for thyroid disease in pregnant women at the earliest during pregnancy and should be done early. Ideally, before planning a pregnancy, women need to have a screening test for thyroid disease to make sure it is in normal condition to ensure the best health for both mother and fetus. When knowing the status and possible risk of thyroid disease, pregnant women need to follow the treatment prescribed by a specialist.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.