Check-ups during pregnancy tend to focus around the waist. But there’s growing debate about which mothers-to-be should have a gland in their neck tested, too.

Numerous studies since 1999 have found that an underactive thyroid can raise a woman’s risk of miscarriage, premature birth, or a lower IQ for her baby — even if it’s so mildly sluggish that she feels no symptoms.

The problem: while serious cases are treated with a hormone pill, so far there’s little evidence that treating the milder cases makes a difference. So guidelines about who should be tested vary widely.

Now a peek at prenatal testing from one of the country’s largest medical labs suggests that nearly a quarter of pregnant women are getting the simple thyroid blood test regardless of whether they have symptoms.

Researchers at Quest Diagnostics examined records for half a million pregnant women. of those who got tested, a higher-than-expected number — 15 percent — had an underactive thyroid. That’s five-fold higher than some previous estimates, partly because the way in which the condition is diagnosed has changed recently, says the study published by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

The vast majority of those women were in the gray zone, with milder cases where no one knows for sure if a diagnosis helps or wastes money on testing and thyroid medication.

The finding adds pressure for science to settle this long-running controversy.

“We still don’t have perfect answers,” says Dr. Elizabeth Pearce, a well-known endocrinologist at Boston Medical Center, where a recent survey found widespread prenatal thyroid testing. But, “if it’s my patient in my office, or it’s me or my family member, I’m going to treat every time.”

Obstetricians seem more wary.

“There are studies on both sides of the fence,” says Dr. Dena Goffman of New York’s Montefiore Medical Center, which tests only women at high risk. “If you don’t know what to do with the results, you probably shouldn’t order the test,” she said.

The unassuming thyroid — a small bow tie-shaped gland nestled in the front of the neck — plays a big role in good health for everyone. it produces hormones that regulate metabolism and can affect almost every type of tissue in the body. About 20 million Americans are estimated to have a malfunctioning thyroid that, if serious enough, can contribute to heart disease, bone-thinning osteoporosis and infertility.

An overactive thyroid, called hyperthyroidism, speeds up bodily functions, causing such symptoms as weight loss, nervousness, anxiety and increased heart rate and vision problems.

Much more common is an underactive thyroid, called hypothyroidism. it slows body functions, causing such problems as fatigue, weight gain, depression, constipation and dry skin. it even can contribute to high cholesterol, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Thyroid problems increase with age, but they affect far more women than men — and pregnancy puts extra stress on the gland.

Having enough thyroid hormones is important for fetal brain development, especially during the first trimester, when the fetus depends solely on the mother for them. the hormones also play a role in avoiding miscarriage or premature birth.

Mothers also may harbor immune system cells called antibodies that subtly attack the gland and likewise are linked to miscarriage and prematurity. Italian researchers found that treating those women lowered their risk of encountering this problem.

There is broad agreement that women with overt hypothyroidism — a seriously underactive gland — should be treated, most likely given a once-a-day hormone pill long known to be safe in pregnancy. But it takes blood testing to diagnose overt disease because even those women don’t always report the vague symptoms.

Those $25 blood tests are sure to uncover women with mild hypothyroidism, too, the people in the so-called gray zone. Some research has raised questions about whether mild cases really pose a pregnancy risk, and preliminary results from a large British study recently found no overall IQ benefit to the resulting children if their mothers had been treated.

But the damage might already have been done by the time treatment began late in the first trimester, notes Boston’s Pearce. in the U.S., doctors are anxiously awaiting a similar National Institutes of Health study; results aren’t expected until 2015.

What’s the advice until then? the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends testing only pregnant women who have thyroid symptoms, have had previous thyroid problems, or have similar autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes — those considered at risk for overt disease.

The American Thyroid Association goes further. last summer it advised also testing all pregnant women age 30 and older, and those with enlarged thyroids, previous pregnancy problems or those who are obese, says Pearce, who co-authored the guidelines.

Most guidelines cite the lack of evidence for treating mild cases. the thyroid association does urge treatment if those women harbor the worrisome antibodies.

A final tip: Pregnant women should check that their prenatal vitamins contain iodine, important for proper thyroid function, Pearce says. not all do. Most Americans get enough iodine from dairy products, bread, seafood and iodized table salt. But women need extra during pregnancy.

hu ??? that makes no since, so try and re word your question

if your asking what signs and symptoms of a pregnancy that is full term is… well a baby is the main one.

i had weird stomach flu symptoms, but now i am having some heavy crampings from time to time. my belly is just so dodgy. i am just wondering if i have stomach flu but i dont know if stomach flu involved cramps, or if this stomach flu is associated with pregnancy.

Your cycle may be changing.

thats how my pregnancy started. take a test.

the flu can involve cramps. but also it could mean pregnant. when i feel pregnant. right away withing the week and for 3 weeks on i was sick with the flu. kept me in bed. go straight to the doctor and see what is really going on. and ask for a blood test to see if you are pregnant as well.. good luck x

I'm a little confused.. I got a bad case of strep throat but my strep test (throat culture) came back showing that I have group B strep. I thought this was something related to pregnancy and not the strain that can cause strep throat..? How could I have it in my throat.?

ampAuthorBabybirthbodyBookCalciumchildconceptionConditiondevelopmentdietearly pregnancy symptomsexerciseFertilityguidehealthhealth guruhealthy pregnancyinfertilityinformationISBNLossmillion booksMiraclepainperiodpositive feedbackPregnancypregnancy advicepregnancy healthpregnancy pregnancypregnancy symptomspregnancy tipsPregnantPUBLISHERsigns of pregnancySymptomstestTipswaterwayWeekWeightWomen

I'll be 14wks on Sunday. I know. that meansI'll be in my 2nd tri & it's normal, but I'm so paranoid at the decrease in symptoms that I ordered a fetal doppler to reassure myself that all is ok. it hasn't come in yet. anyone feel or felt the same way?

THANKS!

Congrats & Good Luck!

I am in the same boat as you. I am currently 11 weeks 5 day, and go in to the OB in 5 days. this pregnancy so far actually has been pretty symptomless.I have bloating/swelling and headaches, but other than that, nada. I can't remember what my previous pregnancy was like due to the fact it was 13 years ago!! lol Good luck on the rest of your journey.

Yes Yes Yes thank god theres someone out there although I never had morning sickness I was quite tierd alot of the time Im 12 weeks on Sunday and actually feel normal other than a tight tummy…but I'm really nervous for my first scan,that it might just have dissapeared lol but now I know that there are poeple out there like me I feel more content :0) Congratulations xxxx

Yes! Im in my third trimester, so I know it's rare that anything would probably happen to my baby. But the fact that somedays I actually feel perfectly fine scares me sometimes. Guess we're so used to feeling like crap 24/7 lol

Awwwwwwww! *huggles* Don't panic!!! it came and went all the time with me and was constantly freaking out to my husband. I'd actually start crying and not that he started laughing, but he was like, "Honey, this is perfectly normal. Don't worry. . . our baby will be fine." But I was a worry wart. well, my son is now 10 months old. so, that means my husband was right and YES the Mommy was the worry wart.

If you ever get scared you can speak to your doctor about it. Okeeees? they will help relieve you of your worrying. Best of luck to you and congratulations! xxx

I think that feeling nervous during pregnancy is perfectly normal. I was pregnant 4 times and each time I was nervous when things changed. I think you will see that your symptoms have not completely gone away but instead have just changed. I'm sure that everything is ok. I wish you all the luck. I'm sure you and the little one are perfectly fine and healthy. as hard as it may be, try to relax and enjoy it. they grow up so fast. mine are all aged 13 to 7 now. Lol.

I was quite lucky that I never had any symptoms during my first trimester so I was actually more worried when I started to feel aches and pains in my 2nd trimester. I got so used to pregnancy not being any different from normal life that I had a shock when I realised I couldn't wear normal clothes and my nipples got darker and my stomach started ballooning and then the heartburn started.

It is normal to worry about these things though so you are not alone in feeling this way!

Welcome to my web site,This blog site is about Digital camera technology or what digital camera really should i acquire.

preconception care|WHY IS PRECONCEPTION Care Required?

preconception care needs the commitment of the parents-to-be to adhere to the system, whilst modifications in diet plan and life style as needed, and make certain herbs and dietary supplements are taken as necessary. Charting the feminine menstrual cycle is of essential significance, the two as a diagnostic instrument, and for the timing of conception. The couple really should also be accountable for acquiring the required exams eg for GUIs.

Foods:

it is for potential dad and mom to consume a diet program high in nutrients for at minimum three months prior to pregnancy crucial. Foods additives, colorings and preservatives should be eliminated from the diet regime and specific nutrients for a healthy principle to be launched.

allergy symptoms / malabsorption:

Foods allergy symptoms can decrease nutrient absorption and lead to malnutrition and deficiencies that impact the well being of the couple and the probability of conception. By addressing these allergy signs and symptoms are diminished or eliminated, resulting in an overall improvement in wellbeing and effectively-currently being, are far more probably to conceive.

Life-style:

Pressure hormones interfere with sex hormone manufacturing, delay conception. With cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine or other medications, can decrease pressure a huge affect on health and the likelihood of conception and can lead to well being in children.

Exercising is important to enhance fitness and lessen anxiety, but excessive physical exercise may lessen fertility.

environmental chemical compounds may have effects on sperm count and motility. Pesticides have to be altered hormone amounts, bad sperm high quality and pregnancy loss.

been connected

Electromagnetic radiation can affect all elements of the reproductive method and has led to miscarriages and stillbirths. introduced

connected wellbeing checks:

genitourinary infections can affect fertility. Some of them can be sexually transmitted, and many may possibly be with no signs or symptoms present. If left untreated, can lead GUIs recurrent miscarriages or the well being of the child.

Fertility Awareness:

understand

diagram of the menstrual cycle and in recognition of the fertile time is crucial to increase conception. In the course of the time of prejudice is normal fertility awareness for birth control use, and can then be utilized when the mother and father are ready to grasp.

Tags : Care, care|WHY, NECESSARY, preconceptionCategories : Preconception Care

I've heard of this before, I don't think it's that unusual. I'm 32 but some of the women I work with are in their 40's and 50's and have been on it for this reason….

I don't think so, in the packet that comes along with my birth control it says for the prevention of pregnancy a treatment of certain symptoms blah blah, something about pre menopausal

Arbonne skin care is fantastic for your problems, check it out, you will have to find a "seller" in your area, but it would be well worth it, the before and after pictures i have seen are unbelievable! good luck!

Hi,
I recommend Vitamin E will help a bit.
Vitamin E is a powerhouse vitamin when it comes to beauty. Pure Vitamin E used directly on the skin has a number of benefits for the skin. It softens skin without leaving a greasy residue. It is often used to treat itchy skin rashes and conditions like Eczema. Doctors often recommend using pure Vitamin E to help reduce the appearance of scars and other blemishes on the skin.
Vitamin E has also been used successfully to treat stretch marks. If you have some stretch marks from weight loss or pregnancy that you really want to get rid of skip the cocoa butter and go straight for the Vitamin E. Lotions and creams containing Vitamin E can cost $75 or more, so get some pure Vitamin E capsules from the drugstore
or health food store, open a capsule and apply that directly to your skin.

I went to my doctor because i get red itchy dry skin on my face he gave me 3 creams really good so far
Hydrocortisone cream
Ultrabase
Betamethasone valerate cream

Try herbal remedies from serenaskin.com, it's natural, no steroids.
I used anti-psoriasis ointment and spray to clear my skin and scalp and now take anti-psoriasis extract to prevent flare-ups. It works very well for me. They also have anti-eczema treatment.

What were they? how long after the symptoms did you actually confirm the pregnancy?

I went down to my GP with cramps and pains in my side and he gave me tablets, my periods were only a couple of days late so i didnt think i was pregnant. Then a couple of days i went back to him and told him the pain was there and the tablets didn work.. He did a test and it came up positive.. He sent me for a scan straight away to see if everything was ok and the person doing the scan told me i was only 4 weeks gone and that the crapms i was feeling was only my womb stretching.. At bout 5 weeks i stated getting morning sickness and my breasts were really sore.. they were the only symptoms that i had..

I didn't start feeling anything until 6 weeks. That's when the morning sickness hit! I believe it was 6 weeks to the day as well…and I thought I had stomach flu. I went to the doc 2-3 days after I started getting sick and that's when I took the test!

right at 6 weeks one day. I woke up one morning and had my usual cup of coffee. it made me throw up. I took a test minutes later and I was pregnant. later I realized that I must have been 6 weeks along at the time.

every one is different as to what they feel and when they feel it. but most common is morning sickness and it's usually in the first trimester

Go to this link:
americanpregnancy.org/getting…

Hope it helps.