{"id":629793,"date":"2024-09-26T09:30:43","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T13:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629793"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:43:32","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:43:32","slug":"synthroid-and-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/synthroid-and-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take Synthroid during pregnancy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Synthroid<\/span><\/a> (a brand name for the generic drug levothyroxine) is a prescription medication used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition in which the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine is an artificial thyroid hormone meant to replace what your thyroid gland would make on its own if it were functioning normally. If you took levothyroxine pre-pregnancy, good news—you can continue to take the medication safely starting in the first trimester of pregnancy and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take Synthroid while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Not only is <\/span>levothyroxine <\/span><\/a>treatment safe during early pregnancy if you already have hypothyroidism, but it’s actually dangerous to <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> take it. This is because higher levels of <\/span>thyroid hormone<\/span><\/a> are often needed in pregnant women in order to prevent miscarriage. According to the American Thyroid Association, <\/span>a 2016 study<\/span><\/a> of women with hypothyroidism who were being treated with Synthroid before becoming pregnant shows there is an increased risk of miscarriage when the thyroid blood test TSH is abnormal, and the dosage of Synthroid is not appropriately increased during pregnancy. Of the women with hypothyroidism and an abnormal TSH level participating in the study who did not increase their medication after becoming pregnant, 36% experienced a miscarriage. The rate of pregnancy loss in the group of women who increased their medication was only 2.4%. There is <\/span>no increased risk of congenital disorders<\/span><\/a> when a pregnant woman is taking Synthroid.<\/span><\/p>\n

“It’s safe to take levothyroxine during pregnancy,” confirms <\/span>Michael A. Reed, MD<\/span><\/a>, a California-based board-certified OB-GYN. “In fact, maintaining proper thyroid function is crucial for both your health and your baby’s development,” he says. A woman’s body needs more thyroid hormone during pregnancy, so it’s very important to continue taking levothyroxine to keep thyroid hormone levels in check. If you are taking levothyroxine and have become pregnant, consult with your healthcare provider, “but this medication is generally well-studied and widely recommended for pregnant women,” says Dr. Reed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hypothyroidism diagnosis<\/span><\/h3>\n

A thyroid function test is the first step to determining your thyroid health. A blood test can screen for levels of <\/span>thyroid-stimulating hormone<\/span><\/a> (TSH). If the TSH level is abnormal, then the next step is a blood test to check for total T3 (triiodothyronine) and free T4 (thyroxine) levels to gauge the health of your thyroid gland. The results will indicate whether you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Your TSH and free T4 levels let your healthcare provider know whether you need to be treated with synthetic thyroid hormones like levothyroxine. <\/span>Pregnant women<\/span><\/a> with an abnormally high TSH level and low free T4 levels have overt hypothyroidism and should be treated with levothyroxine. <\/span><\/p>\n

In a pregnant woman who does not have hypothyroidism, there will be an increase in naturally produced thyroid hormone. In women who have hypothyroidism, taking Synthroid or another brand of levothyroxine becomes more important in order to produce enough thyroid hormone to continue a healthy pregnancy. Note that <\/span>reference ranges for a healthy TSH level<\/span><\/a> change in the first, second, and third trimesters. That’s why it’s important to have levels monitored by a healthcare professional throughout your pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be sure to consult with your OB-GYN and endocrinology specialist with any concerns about levothyroxine treatment and thyroid hormone replacement therapy during pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Synthroid dosage<\/span><\/h3>\n

When addressing thyroid dysfunction with medication, it’s important to use the correct dosage. The standard <\/span>levothyroxine dosage<\/span><\/a> for adults with hypothyroidism is 50-200 mcg once daily, long-term. The maximum Synthroid dosage is 300 mcg once daily. Consult with your healthcare provider and have your thyroid levels <\/span>tested regularly<\/span><\/a> throughout your pregnancy to determine if your Synthroid dosage needs to be adjusted in order to manage your hypothyroidism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Subclinical hypothyroidism vs. overt hypothyroidism<\/span><\/h3>\n

In discussing hypothyroidism, it’s important to note that this type of thyroid disease varies in severity. Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are the <\/span>two thyroid hormones<\/span><\/a> released from <\/span>the thyroid. Together, they are the thyroid hormone that is found in Synthroid. <\/span>Subclinical hypothyroidism<\/span><\/a> is when thyroid function is a bit low, causing the blood level of thyroxine to be within the reference range, but the blood level of TSH is elevated. This would indicate mild thyroid failure. Subclinical hypothyroidism may not always require medication, and sometimes, treating the condition with levothyroxine may cause more harm than good due to medication overtreatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overt hypothyroidism presents with below-normal levels of thyroxine, which may cause symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, cold intolerance, dry skin, and an increased risk of cardiac issues. Overt hypothyroidism, however, typically requires daily thyroid medication to manage.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the risks of taking Synthroid while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Managing thyroid disorders during pregnancy is very important for the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus. “The risks associated with taking Synthroid during pregnancy are generally minimal,” explains Dr. Reed. “The biggest ‘risk’ would be not taking it if you need it,” he says. “Synthroid is well-tolerated, and most side effects, like slight changes in appetite or heart rate, are rare,” he explains. “The benefits of Synthroid far outweigh the risks when it comes to ensuring your thyroid levels are where they need to be for a healthy pregnancy.”<\/span><\/p>\n

While side effects of levothyroxine are rare, overuse of the medication “can lead to negative impacts on the body’s homeostasis,” says <\/span>Kecia Gaither, MD<\/span><\/a>, a double board-certified OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist and director of Perinatal Services\/Maternal Fetal Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals\/Lincoln in the Bronx. Overuse of thyroid medication means getting more thyroid hormone than your body actually needs. The dosage is often weight-based, and of course, weight changes throughout pregnancy. For this reason, it’s very important to have your thyroid hormone levels monitored for the duration of your pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

The side effects of overuse, according to Dr. Gaither, include an <\/span>increased risk<\/span><\/a> of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n