Women Can Develop Thyroid Issues During Pregnancy

Thyroid issues during pregnancy can lead to serious health complications for both mother and baby - but can usually be treated with medication.

Expecting mothers need to pay particular attention to their thyroid health, according to Carolyn Cokes, M.D., MPH, a board certified OB/GYN with Metropolitan OB/GYN, a Baltimore based OB-GYN practice affiliated with The Family Childbirth and Children's Center at Mercy.

"Thyroid issues can cause problems in pregnancy," Dr. Cokes said.

Dr. Cokes explained the symptoms of hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones.

"With a low-circulating thyroid hormone, things like weight gain and fatigue are all typical symptoms. Your hair and skin may tend to dry out," Dr. Cokes said.

She also discussed hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid produces an excess of hormones.

"Early in pregnancy, people will experience nausea and things like that, and that can be an early symptom of an overactive or too much thyroid hormone," Cokes said. "Additionally to that, you can feel heart palpitations, you can have weight loss, and things like that would be more of warning symptoms and wouldn't be normal for an early pregnancy."

Dr. Cokes warned of the serious health complications that can arise without treatment.

"Pregnant moms with thyroid issues may develop preeclampsia, pulmonary hypertension or even heart failure; it can also cause problems for your unborn baby," Dr. Cokes said.

However, Dr. Cokes reassured that these conditions can usually be treated with medication.

View Mercy OB/GYN Dr. Carolyn Cokes' interview regarding thyroid issues and pregnancy.