New research shows that asymptomatic thyroid disease in pregnancy is a strong predictor of full-blown hypothyroidism years later The risk rose fourfold for women with 'subclinical' hypothyroidism detected in pregnancy There was no such link when it came to hypothyroxinemia, a deficiency in the thyroid hormone thyroxine TUESDAY, Aug 6, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Women who develop subclinical thyroid issues during pregnancy, meaning symptoms haven't surfaced, could face real thyroid trouble within five years, a new study finds. Pregnant women who were diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism, pointing to an under-active gland, before 21 weeks of gestation had four times the odds of developing symptomatic hypothyroidism later, a team at University of Utah Health discovered. These women also had a fourfold greater odds of requiring thyroid replacement therapy within five years of delivering a child, the team reported recently in the journal Thyroid .
The researchers noted that subclinical hypothyroidism has long been known to be common during pregnancy, with as many as 1 in every 4 pregnant women thought to be affected. Subclinical hypothyroidism isn't by itself harmful, but symptomatic "overt" hypothyroidism can be linked to fatigue, depression and even heart problems, said a team led by Dr. Michael Varner , a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the university's school of medicine.
Their study included 307 pregnant women who'd been diagnosed with either subclinical hypothyr.