Pregnancy & Thyroid Health
Pregnancy is an incredible time, but can come with some wild changes in the body. With hormones rising, energy demands increasing, and the body working harder than ever, it’s so important to support your thyroid through this journey.
Let’s dive into three reasons why your thyroid health matters more than ever when you’re pregnant (or trying to be) and explore some important stats on how common thyroid issues actually are in pregnancy and postpartum.
1. Thyroid Health is Essential for Baby’s Development
During the first trimester, your baby’s only source of thyroid hormones is you! These hormones are key for brain development and growth. If the thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones, it can impact the pregnancy and your baby’s health. Research shows that hypothyroidism in pregnancy can increase risks of low birth weight, premature birth, and even developmental delays for the baby.
2. Thyroid Disorders During Pregnancy Are Surprisingly Common
Many women don’t know they have thyroid issues until they’re already pregnant. According to studies, roughly 2-3% of pregnant women are diagnosed with thyroid disease during pregnancy, but the number is likely higher due to under diagnosis. Pregnancy can be the body’s “stress test,” revealing underlying thyroid dysfunction that might have gone unnoticed before. Autoimmune thyroid diseases, like Hashimoto’s (hypothyroidism), can also flare up during or after pregnancy. Lastly, you can have an under active thyroid without a full blown disease which means you can still suffer from the symptoms.
3. Postpartum Thyroid Issues is also VERY common
Postpartum thyroid issues is very common since you just grew and birthed a HUMAN. The symptoms can look a lot like typical “new mom” exhaustion—fatigue, brain fog, low mood—but are actually signs of a thyroid imbalance. If you can just feel it in your bones that something is off, keep searching for answers (Hi, I'd love to help you!) Your body may be deprived of nutrients, struggling to digest or need extra resources to produce more energy. All of this can be addressed with a root cause approach.
Taking Control: What You Can Do for a Healthier Pregnancy and Postpartum
Get a full thyroid panel: If you're planning to get pregnant or are already pregnant, get a full thyroid panel, especially if you have a family history of thyroid disease. When I am ordering this panel for clients, I order far more than just TSH. We get into the nitty gritty of the thyroid!
Ensure adequate iodine intake: Iodine is a crucial nutrient for thyroid health, and pregnancy increases your body’s need for it. Make sure you’re getting enough through prenatal vitamins or foods like seafood, dairy, and iodized salt. This is a hot topic, but when done with care it can be extremely beneficial!
Don’t ignore symptoms: Extreme fatigue, changes in mood, brain fog, or hair loss can all be part of postpartum life but could also signal thyroid issues. Trust your gut—if something doesn’t feel right, reach out to your healthcare provider. Or another way I like to put it: It is normal to be sleepy, but it is not normal to be totally exhausted all the time.
Keeping an eye on thyroid health is just one way to support both you and your growing baby, but it can make a world of difference in energy, mood, and overall wellness. It’s empowering to know that with the right support, your thyroid can help you feel your best throughout pregnancy and beyond!
