Thyroid indicators during pregnancy

Pregnant women have many physical problems, so they should have regular physical examinations. The data from their physical examinations are actually different from those of normal people. At this time, their bodies are relatively weak, and changes in indicators are normal. There are many indicators to monitor, including the thyroid indicator. So what is the thyroid indicator during pregnancy?

What is the normal range of thyroid values ​​during pregnancy? TSH is controlled at 0.1-2.5mIU/L in the first trimester, 0.2-3.0mIU/L in the second trimester, and 0.3-3.0mIU/L in the third trimester.

The normal value of thyroid hormone during pregnancy is different from the reference value during the non-pregnancy period. Generally, five thyroid function tests will be checked when the file is established in the early pregnancy. Those with abnormalities are recommended to take medication under the guidance of an endocrinologist. Thyroid index screening is best done before pregnancy.

The "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases during Pregnancy and Postpartum (2012)" recommends that hospitals and maternal and child health departments with the conditions conduct thyroid disease screening for women in early pregnancy. The screening indicators are serum TSH, FT4 and TPOAb, and the screening should be selected before 8 weeks of pregnancy. It is best to have a thyroid index screening before pregnancy. Once the disease is confirmed, you can choose to get pregnant after effective treatment before pregnancy.

Experts say that during pregnancy, expectant mothers experience elevated levels of estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in their bodies, which increases thyroid hormone levels, thereby inhibiting the secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and reducing serum TSH levels by 20% to 30%. A decrease in TSH levels usually occurs between 8 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, with the lowest point being between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy. At the same time, serum free thyroxine (FT4) levels in early pregnancy are 10% to 15% higher than those in non-pregnancy. Due to the maternal immune compromise on the fetus, the titer of thyroid autoantibodies (TPOAb) gradually decreases after pregnancy and drops to the lowest titer at 20 to 30 weeks of pregnancy.

"Therefore, clinicians can judge thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and whether treatment is needed based on changes in the three major indexes: TSH, FT4, and TPOAb. Changes in these three indexes have a good predictive effect on thyroid diseases during pregnancy." said the expert.