Both gynecologists and endocrinologists know well how important it is to control the level of hormones in a woman, especially during pregnancy. At this time, almost all organs and systems of the body change the course of their work, tuning in a new way. Indeed, over the course of nine months, their main task will be to ensure the normal development of the child and maintain the healthy state of the future mother. Of course, these changes and the functioning of the thyroid gland are affected. Violation of the level of hormones produced by it, in many respects affects the development and course of pregnancy.
The level of the hormone TSH allows you to determine whether the pregnancy is developing normally or if there are any abnormalities. This indicator is determined by blood tests taken from a vein. If TSH is lowered or, conversely, elevated, the doctor will prescribe additional studies. They will help to find out what caused the deviation of the hormone level from the norm.
What is TTG?
To know what is at stake, you need to consider the hormones that are produced by the human thyroid gland. Thyrotropic hormone is responsible for the normal functioning of the anterior pituitary gland. It controls the development and functioning of the thyroid gland, as well as the production of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones are very important for the normal functioning of the reproductive and cardiovascular systems, participate in metabolic processes and affect the psychoemotional state of a person.
Why research TSH levels?
Any fluctuations in the amount of hormones in the blood can cause various adverse health effects. It is very important to keep under control all significant indicators during the bearing of the child. Often there are situations when during this period the hormonal background changes. It happens that TSH is lowered during pregnancy. It is especially important to pay attention to such fluctuations if a woman has previously encountered diseases of the thyroid gland or had sad experience associated with a miscarriage or a fetal freeze.
The fact is that this hormone reacts very sensitively to pathological changes in the endocrine system. This is due to one of the basic rules of medicine - the principle of negative feedback. If TSH is low, what does it mean? This indicates an increase in the level of free thyroxine. Conversely, with an increase in TSH, T4 decreases. Thus, knowing the basic parameters of hormones produced by the thyroid gland, you can monitor the health status of a woman, especially in an "interesting" position.
Norms of TSH during pregnancy
The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone determined by the ELISA method (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) in a womanโs blood should be from 0.4 to 4 mU / liter. During pregnancy, these indicators may deviate slightly from the norm. During this period, the level of TSH is constantly changing. Therefore, it is very difficult to derive any average parameters that it should correspond to. It is believed that TSH is most strongly lowered by 10-12 weeks. But there are times when it remains low for all nine months. Often, TSH is lowered during multiple pregnancy. However, minor deviations from the norm in one direction or the other are not considered pathology.
The effect of thyroid hormones on pregnancy
The endocrine system plays an important role. The thyroid gland produces triiodothyronine and thyroxine, and the pituitary gland leads this process. In its anterior lobe, TSH is produced, which controls the level of T3 and T4. Together with the blood stream, they enter almost all the cells of the human body and take an active part in their life.
The main function of triiodothyronine and thyroxine is the regulation and maintenance of basic metabolism. These hormones help regulate cell reproduction. During pregnancy, they have a stimulating effect on the corpus luteum, preventing the likelihood of miscarriage in the early stages. In the same way that T3 and T4 affect the female body, they participate in the development of the fetus, especially in the formation of the brain.
Now that we know the importance of the normal level of hormones produced by the thyroid gland for the mother and the unborn baby, we can understand why it is necessary to control the levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The doctor should be alerted to the situation when T4 is lowered (and TSH is increased). In this case, a detailed study is assigned.
TSH during pregnancy planning
It would be a mistake to believe that studying the hormonal background is important only when a woman is already carrying a child under her heart. As mentioned earlier, thyroxine, triiodothyronine and TSH play an important role in human health. They affect the reproductive system. So, if the hormone TSH is lowered, it is not very scary. But if its level is increased simultaneously with a decrease in T3 and T4, the doctor may suggest a malfunction of the ovaries. And this, in turn, leads to a decrease in the probability of conceiving and carrying a child.
The processes of follicular production, the formation of the egg and the corpus luteum are disrupted. Therefore, if a woman goes to the doctor with complaints about the inability to become pregnant, the endocrinologist must prescribe an analysis for thyroid hormones. An ideal indicator when planning conception is considered a TSH level of 1.5 ฮผMU / ml. This is the average level for an adult.
TSH lowered: what does this mean?
Unfortunately, it is rarely the case that all analyzes are normal. Most often, at least one of them, but has deviations. For example, TSH is lowered. What does it mean? As a rule, such a test result should not alert the doctor. A slight decrease in the production of this hormone during pregnancy is absolutely normal. But in some cases, this can be a consequence of pathological conditions:
- If TSH is lowered during pregnancy, it is necessary to check the pituitary gland.
- There is a small likelihood of Plummer's syndrome.
- Benign thyroid tumors.
- Pituitary necrosis after childbirth.
- Elevated levels of hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
- Nervous overexcitation and overstrain.
Thus, if you are wondering, "TSH is lowered, what does it mean", do not look for information in the literature, it is better to immediately contact an endocrinologist. He will find out the cause of the changes and prescribe adequate treatment.
If TSH is low, a woman may notice some symptoms, such as headache, palpitations, fever, and indigestion. But most often, such changes are almost asymptomatic.
TSH increased
If the tests showed that the level of this hormone during pregnancy is increased, then doctors may prescribe several additional studies, as this may be a sign of the following conditions:
- The adrenal gland is disrupted.
- There are mental illnesses.
- Problems with the pituitary gland.
- Elevated levels of thyroid hormones.
- Pituitary tumor.
- Renal failure.
- Preeclampsia in a severe stage.
Symptoms of elevated TSH are low temperature, weakness, general fatigue, insomnia, pallor and poor appetite. Visually, the neck looks thickened.
Hormone T4: norms and deviations
Thyroxine is closely associated with TSH, therefore, tests are usually prescribed to study their level in aggregate. T4 is one of the most important stimulants of cell division and regeneration in the body. The weight of a person largely depends on its quantity, since thyroxine is able to affect metabolic processes and protein synthesis. It is this hormone that determines the body's need for vitamins, and also improves the digestibility of carotene by the liver. In addition, it lowers blood cholesterol and prevents plaques in the vessels of the brain. It is also very important for the work of the female reproductive system. In cases where the T4 level is lowered or increased, problems often arise with the planning and course of pregnancy.
The norm of thyroxine is 9-22 picomoles per liter. These indicators are applicable only to women, since in men they are higher. Deviation from the norm is not always a symptom of a serious illness, it is possible that temporary malfunctions have occurred in the body. If you undergo a course of treatment, then the probability of having and having a healthy baby is very high.
The relationship between TTG and T4
Indicators of the level of hormones that are produced by the thyroid gland are closely intertwined. There are situations when TSH is lowered, T4 is increased. With normal operation of the pituitary and thyroid gland, this should not be. Usually, if TSH is low, T4 is normal. This means that thyroxin suppresses the production of thyrotropin too much.