New Research Findings Extend the Understanding of Pregnancy-Related Thyroid Risks, Outcomes

It has long been known that women are particularly vulnerable to thyroid disorders during pregnancy, but recent research findings have begun to shed new light on the possible causes and consequences of pregnancy-related thyroid disorders. This week, we’ll review some of the most significant conclusions and groundbreaking discoveries that scientists have made in a series of recent studies analyzing the pregnancy-thyroid connection.

Link Between Pregnancy, Infant Neurolocial Development Probed

Pregnancy is a period of significant hormonal fluctuations for most women. Because the thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system, which regulates the creation and distribution of hormones in the body, the thyroid can often been impacted by the sudden influx of hormones that accompany conception and gestation.

Although the link between proper thyroid function and human growth has been studied for decades, scientists have only recently begun to make significant breakthroughs in unraveling this complex relationship. In recent years, attention has begun to focus on the role thyroid function has upon the development of fetuses during pregnancy.

It has also been found that many more women are impacted by pregnancy-related thyroid disorders than was once thought to be the case. As the diagnostic tests that are used to identify thyroid dysfunction have grown more sophisticated and sensitive, the number of pregnant women diagnosed with thyroid disorders has increased.

One recent study posited that babies born to women who have suffered from pregnancy-related thyroid disorders may experience a series of developmental delays, including diminished cognitive performance. This troubling suggestion has led researchers to delve further into this issue. In fact, researchers are currently recruiting participants to join a study assessing the degree to which treating pregnancy-related thyroid disorders impacts the neurological, cognitive, and intellectual development of infants and children. If this sounds interesting to you, click here to see whether you’re eligible to sign up.

Researchers in England Investigate Impace of Pesticides

Another recent study that sought to assess the implications of pregnancy-related thyroid disorders and their impact on fetal development was conducted by researchers in the UK. In the course of analyzing data for a large-scale longitudinal study, it was found that babies who were conceived during the summer months typically scored lower on academic tests than did their counterparts conceived during non-summer months.

Although the reason behind this disparity has not yet been definitively accounted for, it was hypothesized that low-level thyroid dysfunction could either cause or contribute to the problem. It is suspected that several commonly-used pesticides and nitrate-based fertilizers promote slower thyroid function. Pesticide and fertilizer use often reach their peak in the summer months, when crops are nearing full growth.

At the same time, the most critical phase of fetal brain development occurs soon after conception in the first trimester. Exposure to hazardous elements during this period can cause serious developmental problems.

Taking all of these factors into consideration, the researchers who conducted the study speculated that women who become pregnant during the summer months heightened exposure to pesticides may be at greater risk for developing thyroid problems. Because these children were just conceived, their mothers’ thyroid imbalances during the critical first trimester could account for their lag in academic and intellectual development when compared to peers who were conceived at other times of the year.

The researchers pointed to this possibility to underscore the importance of carefully assessing both the short- and long-term impacts of the substances that are dispersed widely into the environment for farming, manufacturing, and other industrial purposes. They contend that subtle effects such as this may not be readily apparent for decades, and by the time they are discovered, it may be too late to prevent widespread harm.

If you have had past problems with thyroid disorders, or if you have a family history of thyroid diseases, it is very important to consult with your physician during the family planning process. A team of medical professionals that is well-trained in the reproductive implications of endocrine system imbalances will be able to help you plan the healthiest pregnancy possible.

For further reading:

• http://www.endocrineweb.com/pregnancy.html
• http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/thyroid/pregnant.html
• http://www.tsh.org/disorders/pregnancy/problems.html