The thyroid gland plays an important role in the healthy functioning of the entire human body. The endocrine system is in close connection with others. Therefore, a malfunction of one leads to consequences in all systems interconnected with it.
What do you need to know?
With insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones, organs such as, for example, the heart suffer. Patients often complain of palpitations, shortness of breath, rapid fatigue.
A hormone deficiency has a particularly negative effect on the human nervous system. This is manifested in behavioral changes, inconsistency of mood, the inability of a person to control their own emotions.
The hormonal background is disturbed, since the thyroid hormones are directly related to the hormones of the genital organs. In women, this is manifested in menstrual irregularities. In the complete absence of menstruation, the possibility of conception is excluded.
Distinguish between hyperfunction and hypofunction of the thyroid gland. Any deviation from the norm is a pathology. Hyperfunction, or an increase in hormone production, affects the increase in arterial and intraocular pressure. A prominent symptom is bulging eyeballs. During pregnancy, an excess of thyroid hormones can lead to the threat of premature birth, spontaneous abortion.
Hypofunction, on the contrary, is characterized by a decrease in the level of hormones. This disease is called hypothyroidism. This condition in rare cases is the cause of infertility, and during pregnancy can cause fetal malformations and intrauterine death. Therefore, treatment must be started immediately, as the problem was discovered. Since there is a lack of thyroid hormones, the appointment of replacement therapy is appropriate. Widely used "L-Thyroxine" and "Iodomarin" during pregnancy.
When is it prescribed?
This medication is indicated for the treatment of diffuse euthyroid goiter. Used as a prophylaxis for relapse of nodular goiter. Also with malignant neoplasms, such endocrinological diseases as myxedema, cretinism. "L-Thyroxine" is vital for partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland.
When "L-Thyroxine" is prescribed during pregnancy:
- If a woman was sick before she became pregnant, and underwent a course of treatment, then the drug continues to be prescribed further.
- During pregnancy, various disorders of the thyroid gland are possible. The reason for this is the adaptation of the woman's body to new conditions. The restructuring of all systems for the formation of the embryo can lead to disruption of the normal life of the pregnant woman. Then it is advisable to start taking "L-Thyroxine." The drug does not harm the embryo. It has no toxic, mutagenic effect. It does not penetrate the placental barrier. All this contributes to the calm use of the drug.
Features of taking "L-Thyroxine"
According to reviews, "L-Thyroxine" during pregnancy helps well. The drug is a synthetic hormone. The active substance is levothyroxine. In the body, he does the work that normally the missing hormone should do. It regulates metabolism, affects the development of cells, helps in the work of the cardiovascular system, and also stimulates the central nervous system.
In the first trimester of pregnancy, L-Thyroxine takes part in the development of the embryo. In the following months, it helps the already formed fetal thyroid gland.
Take "L-Thyroxine" is necessary only as directed by the endocrinologist. You cannot set or change the dose yourself.
Recommendations
There are some features of taking the medicine. When using "L-Thyroxine" during pregnancy, the instructions are as follows:
- It is necessary to take the pill half an hour before meals.
- Drink plenty of water, other drinks are not advisable.
- For breakfast, it is forbidden to drink coffee, milk, meat should be postponed until the afternoon.
- It is more convenient to buy tablets with the full and necessary dosage. This will minimize the risk of taking an inappropriate dose.
- If the morning dose is missed, then it is recommended to drink the medicine no later than 3-4 hours after eating.
- It is acceptable to divide the administration of the drug several times a day, if there is poor tolerance to the drug.
Dosage aspects
"L-Thyroxine 50" during pregnancy does not go well with many other medicines, so you must immediately tell the doctor a list of the drugs you take. It can change the effect of antidepressants, sugar-lowering drugs, anticoagulants. It is advisable not to use any iodine-containing additives, vitamins, complexes of minerals at the same time. Calcium preparations can be consumed several hours after taking L-Thyroxine.
If the dose of L-Thyroxine is only selected during pregnancy, it is important to control the level of hormones in the blood. The frequency of analysis is once every two months. At the established dose - once every six months.
Due to the fact that during pregnancy, even in a healthy mother, there is a large consumption of hormones for the development of the fetus, then with a critical decrease in hormone levels, the full dose of L-Thyroxine is prescribed immediately. This is very important, because the healthy development of the baby is at stake.
The effect of thyroid hormones on the body of a pregnant woman
The thyroid gland is responsible for the production of hormones such as thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), calcitonin.
When a woman is pregnant, many systems are rebuilt in her body. This is due to the fact that the development of the child needs the resources of the mother. These hormones go to the formation of different systems of the fetus. As a result, the amount of free thyroxine in the mother’s blood decreases.
Also, during pregnancy, the amount of a special protein, globulin, increases, which binds thyroxine. This is due to an increase in estrogen.
During the first months in the blood of a woman, chorionic gonadotropin is detected. Due to the increase in its concentration, the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) decreases. There is a risk of hyperthyroidism. But estrogen is stimulated by globulin, which protects against an excess of thyroxine.
Pregnancy affects kidney function. The filtration rate increases, and as a result, the output of iodine from the body is accelerated. Therefore, all women in position are prescribed iodine preparations.
What for?
The use of "L-Thyroxine" during pregnancy is necessary if physiological processes in the body are disturbed, and this leads to a deficiency of thyroxine. If you do not adjust the indicators, the situation can lead to fetal abnormalities, even miscarriages. The formation of the nervous system is disrupted, which will further affect the neuropsychiatric complications.
In the first trimester, even when the indicators are not critical, "L-Thyroxine" is still used. At the fifth week, the fetus forms its own thyroid gland. The function of iodine accumulation develops at the twelfth week, but only at the sixteenth body is considered formed. And then you can reduce or cancel the dose. Only at very high rates the use of "L-Thyroxine" continues.
After the birth of the baby, the drug is continued to be taken if the woman was diagnosed and took L-Thyroxine before pregnancy.
During the bearing of the baby, the dose increases, it is forbidden to independently reduce it. After birth, after about two and a half months, it is necessary to pass tests for hormones. Depending on the result, the endocrinologist prescribes a dosage.
If thyroid dysfunctions appeared during pregnancy, then after the baby is born, the doctor will cancel the drug. This is necessary in order to determine the causes of the pathology. If the level of hormones normalizes, this will indicate temporary violations.
Contraindications
It must be remembered that "L-Thyroxine" is a hormonal drug. Take it carefully.
This medicine increases the amount of the hormone in a person’s blood, therefore consumption with healthy indicators or with elevated ones is strictly prohibited. In pregnancy, carelessness can lead to fatal consequences.
If there is an allergic reaction to levothyroxine or some auxiliary substance, the drug is prohibited. For example, if you were allergic to lactose, you need to take this into account.
The presence of acute adrenal insufficiency, the pituitary gland is also a contraindication to the use of the drug. Only after treatment of these conditions can we talk about the appointment of "L-Thyroxine".
Also, a medicine is prohibited if acute cardiovascular diseases occur: acute heart attack, acute myocarditis.
For small children and the elderly, L-Thyroxine is prescribed with caution.
But the main contraindication is only allergic intolerance to the drug. In other cases, in consultation with an experienced doctor, the appointment is permissible with constant monitoring by the endocrinologist.
Possible consequences
An overdose of hormonal drugs can lead to symptoms of hyperthyroidism. This is a violation of the nervous system - irritability, sleep disturbance, irritability.
Also:
- Heart suffers: rhythm disturbance, tachycardia are noted.
- Renal function worsens, there may be swelling.
- Possible hair loss, excessive dryness of the skin.
- Increases appetite, which leads to weight gain.
- Weight gain is a frequent consequence of hormone treatment. Therefore, you must monitor your own weight. This is not an easy task, but within reasonable limits is feasible.
- Severe cases of chronic diseases are possible, especially of a neurological nature.
Conclusion
To maximize the elimination of undesirable effects, a dosage adjustment of "L-Thyroxine" is carried out. Or a temporary break is made. In case of severe overdose, appropriate treatment may be prescribed.
It is important to remember: the consequences of "L-Thyroxine" during pregnancy are not as terrible as ignoring hypothyroidism.