Hyperthyroidism Slideshow Pictures Take the Thyroid Disorder Quiz Thyroid Symptoms and Solutions Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Stephanie L Lee, MD, PhD, FACE

Coauthor:

Sonia Ananthakrishnan, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Related Health Complications of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism may contribute to the development of heart disease. Blood cholesterol levels may be increased, with some studies suggesting an increase in heart disease and heart attacks as a result. L-thyroxine treatment of hypothyroid patients is of value and lowers blood lipid levels by 10%-40%. Moreover, the efficiency of the heart's ability to contract may be reduced with hypothyroidism. Again, treatment with L-thyroxine treatment can reverse these changes.

Thyroid hormone requirements increase during pregnancy. For example, 25%-50% of pregnant women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis require an increase in L-thyroxine dose during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Fifty to seventy percent of pregnant women who have a history of thyroid surgery or treatment with radioactive iodine require an increase in the L-thyroxine dose.

Management of hypothyroidism in pregnancy is critical because untreated hypothyroidism can cause complications in pregnancy. Hypothyroid mothers have an increased risk for high blood pressure, low blood counts and miscarriages, and babies born to hypothyroid mothers are at risk for a lower IQ.

Screening for hypothyroidism during pregnancy with a TSH level test is recommended in women with a previous history of thyroid dysfunction, a family history of thyroid disease and/or other autoimmune disease, or a history of recurrent miscarriages.