Hyperthyroidism In Pregnancy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that develops when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones help control body temperature, heart rate, growth, and how you gain or lose weight.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Treatment for hyperthyroidism during pregnancy may carry certain risks for you and your child. Medicines for hyperthyroidism may cause itching and redness of skin, fever, sore throat, and pain in your joints. Medicines or surgery may damage thyroid gland cells and cause hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone). This may make you gain weight, feel very weak, and slow down your thinking. Medicines may cause birth defects or even the death of your baby. During surgery you may bleed more than usual or get an infection. Nerves in your thyroid gland may get nicked or cut and give you a hoarse voice. Even after successful treatment and surgery, your signs and symptoms may still remain or return.
  
  
• If left untreated, your signs and symptoms may get worse. You may get very thin and weak, have problems thinking, and go into a coma. Your heart may be affected and stop beating completely, and you may die. You may also have a thyroid storm, a condition when hyperthyroidism gets very bad. Your temperature may go very high, your heart may beat very fast, and you may have problems thinking. You may go into a coma or die if you do not get medical care quickly. You may have increased blood pressure and have vomiting, blurring of vision, and very bad bleeding in your womb. Your child may be born with birth defects, have a low birth weight, or even die inside the womb. You may also give birth earlier than expected and may cause you to lose your baby. .

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent

is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Rest:

You may need to rest in bed until your heart rate is under control. Your caregiver will tell you when it is OK to get out of bed. Call your caregiver before getting up for the first time. If you ever feel weak or dizzy, sit or lie down right away.

Echocardiogram:

This test is a type of ultrasound. Sound waves are used to show the structure, movement, and blood vessels of your heart.

Heart monitor:

This is also called an ECG or EKG. Sticky pads placed on your skin record your heart's electrical activity.

Intake and output:

Caregivers will keep track of the amount of liquid you are getting. They also may need to know how much you are urinating. Ask how much liquid you should drink each day. Ask caregivers if they need to measure or collect your urine.

An IV (intravenous)

is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Food:

Your body uses a lot of energy when it has too much thyroid hormone. You may need to eat more to give your body the extra energy it needs. High protein and high calorie foods will help prevent weight loss. Ask your caregiver which foods are high in calories and protein.

Medicines:

• Antianxiety medicine: This medicine may be given to decrease anxiety and help you feel calm and relaxed.
  
  
• Anti-thyroid medicine: This medicine decreases the amount of thyroid hormone made by your thyroid gland. This medicine can also cause your thyroid to stop making thyroid hormone completely.
  
  
• Heart medicines: Your caregiver may give these to help slow down and make your heart beat properly again.
  
  
• Medicines to treat pain, swelling, or fever: These medicines are safe for most people to use. However, they can cause serious problems when used by people with certain medical conditions. Tell caregivers if you have liver or kidney disease or a history of bleeding in your stomach.

Tests:

• Biopsy: This is a procedure where a very small piece of your thyroid gland is taken and sent to a lab for testing. Your caregiver uses this to check for other problems with your thyroid gland. For this procedure, a small needle may be used to get a sample of your thyroid gland. Your caregiver may use numbing medicine so that you may not feel any pain during the procedure.
  
  
• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Contraction stress test: This test shows your baby's heart rate during a contraction. A contraction is when the muscles of your uterus tighten and loosen. This test may help caregivers see how your baby is doing.
  
  
• External fetal heart monitoring: Caregivers may use this to monitor your baby's heartbeat, and the contractions of your uterus. A small metal disc (monitor) with gel on it is placed on your abdomen. A belt will be fastened around your waist to hold the monitor in place. The monitor may need to be moved as your baby moves inside you. It may also be put on and taken off, or left in place. The monitor is attached to a machine with a TV-type screen, or a printer. The screen or the paper print out shows a tracing of your uterus contracting, and the baby's heartbeat.
  
  
• Fetal ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to show pictures of your baby (fetus) inside your uterus. Jelly-like lotion is put on your abdomen, and a small handle is gently moved through the lotion. As this is done, pictures of your baby can be seen on a TV-like screen. Caregivers can learn the age of your baby, and see how fast he is growing. The movement, heart rate, and position of your baby can also be seen. Caregivers can see your placenta, and can tell if you have more than one baby.

Treatment:

• Surgery: Some people with hyperthyroidism may need surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. By reducing the size of your thyroid gland, the amount of thyroid hormone produced will also decrease. Your caregiver may do surgery during your pregnancy if he feels that you and your baby can handle it. You may be given antithyroid medicine for several months before surgery. This medicine will decrease your symptoms and make the thyroid gland smaller before surgery.
  
  

Vital signs:

Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

Learn more about Hyperthyroidism In Pregnancy (Inpatient Care)