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Preeclampsia and Hypothyroidism
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Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy. (See related press release, http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/preeclampsia_endoglin.cfm.)
Women who experience preeclampsia were more likely to develop hypothyroidism (reduced thyroid function) more than 20 years after they have given birth. (See http://www.nih.gov/news/health/nov2009/nichd-17.htm.)
Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed by elevation of a blood test known as TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). Hypothyroidism is readily treated by prescription of thyroid tablets, such as levothyroxine, Synthroid, Levoxyl, etc. The TSH is monitored while the patient takes thyroid hormone, the dose of which is adjusted according to the TSH level: TSH too high, give more thyroid pills, TSH too low, give less thyroid hormone--all under the control of the doctor.
A study including 7,121 women who had given birth to a first child in 1967 or later in Norway were checked in their county for TSH levels in the 1990s. Women who had preeclampsia in their first pregnancy were 1.7 times as likely to develop a high TSH, evidence of reduced thyroid function. Women who had preeclampsia in both their first and second pregnancies were 6 times as likely to develop a high TSH. Thus, a history of preeclampsia increases the risk of developing lower thyroid function years later.
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