Hashimoto’s disease, which we have heard of frequently in recent years, is an autoimmune disorder. The immune system tries to destroy harmful antibodies such as viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites by directing them to the thyroid gland. In other words, the disorder occurs as a result of recognizing one’s own protection mechanism (thyroid tissue) as foreign. Hashimoto’s can cause hyperthyroidism, but in the long term it can also lead to thyroid hormone failure, which we call hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease
- Change in sound
- Skin dryness
- Fatigue, chronic fatigue
- Forgetfulness
- Constipation
- Slowing of speech
- Edema
- Difficulty conceiving
- Joint and muscle pain
Hashimoto’s disease is a disease that occurs when environmental factors stimulate the autoimmune process. Factors such as age and gender are also influential. It is especially common in women. Risk factors include estrogen and genetic predisposition. When the history of people with Hashimoto’s disease is examined, thyroid or other autoimmune diseases (Vitiligo, Rheumatoid arthritis, Addison’s Disease, Type 1 diabetes, Graves’ disease, Pernicious anemia, Lupus) can be found in families.
How is Hashimoto’s Disease Diagnosed?
Thyroid hormone tests in the blood are needed to diagnose Hashimoto’s Disease. ( Thyroid function tests and Thyroid antibodies )
Pregnancy and Hashimoto’s
If an expectant mother is diagnosed with Hashimoto’s during pregnancy, a number of problems can arise, affecting only the mother, only the baby or both. Today, with a careful approach and appropriate treatment, the disease can be treated with a high degree of success.
If the disease is left untreated, the expectant mother will develop problems. Some of these can include bad outcomes such as heart failure, coma, death. In addition, the reproductive health of the expectant mother can be adversely affected, leading to infertility, miscarriage or birth defects in the baby. Therefore, when you decide to become pregnant or in the early stages of pregnancy, I recommend that you consult your doctor and have your Thyroid Function Tests done.
Can People with Hashimoto’s Disease Get Pregnant?
People with Hashimoto’s disease can get pregnant. However, it would be the healthiest and most accurate method for her to make all her pregnancy plans together with her doctor and to have her thyroid functions checked in the controls performed before conception.
Source :
- Stagnaro-Green, A., Roman, S.H., Cobin, R.H., el-Harazy, E., Alvarez-Marfany, M., Davies, T.F. Detection of at-risk pregnancy by means of highly sensitive assays for thyroid autoantibodies. Journal of the American Medical Association 1990 Sep 19;264(11):1422-5
- Stagnaro-Green, A. Thyroid Antibodies and Miscarriage Where Are We at a Generation Later? Journal of Thyroid Research 2011 May 12;2011:841949
- Stagnaro-Green, A., Abalovich, M., Alexander, E., Azizi, F., Mestman, J., Negro, R., Nixon, A., Pearce, E.N., Soldin, O.P., Sullivan, S., and Wiersinga, W. Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and Postpartum. Retrieved from http://thyroidguidelines.net/pregnancy
