Thyroid and Pregnancy

Written By Dr. Pamela Thornton, B.Sc., ND

Are you thinking about getting pregnant? Have you had your thyroid tested? 

If the answer to #1 is yes but the answer to #2 is no, this may be an important article for you to read. 

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Thyroid disease has a staggering prevalence in North America. Recent studies indicate that 1 in 10 Canadians suffer from some form of thyroid disease and as many as 50% are undiagnosed. The thyroid gland is a master gland located in your neck just above your collar bone that is important to every human being, but it’s role in pregnancy and infant health are of particular interest here. 

The hormones produced by your thyroid gland exert control over your body’s metabolic function so when the gland slows down its production, your metabolic rate begins to slow down. The affects of this can be felt in many aspects of your health but are critical in having a healthy pregnancy. 

The brain and nervous system of your unborn baby rely heavily on the thyroid gland to properly develop. Poor thyroid function or autoimmune thyroid disease known as Hashimoto’s disease can lead to many problems including miscarriage, anemia, preeclampsia and birth defects. Hashimoto’s disease is more common in women than men and is the most common cause of hypothyroidism (low thyroid function). 

Symptoms of poor thyroid function or Hashimoto’s disease include but are not limited to weight gain, fatigue, depression, dry skin, depression, heavier-than-normal periods, feeling chilly and constipation. Some women have no symptoms at all but many if not all of these symptoms are easily attributed to other things so many women ignore them and are never tested or treated. 

So how do you know? 

Under-active thyroid is not something we can just guess at. A complete thyroid blood workup is necessary and should not be limited to just a TSH in women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. If you have had fetal loss, please have your thyroid tested before you become pregnant again. Having these tests done is something that you can discuss with your doctor, naturopath or midwife and the sooner we test the better. Here is my list of basic lab tests I like to see in women who are embarking upon parenthood: 

  • CBC (complete blood count) 

  • TSH 

  • Free T4 

  • TPO (thyroid peroxidase antibody test to check for autoimmune thyroid disease) 

  • Ferritin (a test to determine iron stores that will be critical in pregnancy) 

These tests are the bare minimum for me. If you are working with a care provider who will not run these tests for you or is unclear why or what to do with them, you should be expanding your circle of care to include a provider who will help you with this aspect of your health. The more we learn about your overall health before you become pregnant, the better we can support you through a happy healthy pregnancy. Every mama and baby deserve the very best we can provide for them. The human body is miraculous in its function but sometimes needs a little support. We at the WOMB Woodstock are here to support you.

For more information or to book an appointment with Dr. Thornton, please contact us at hello@thewombwoodstock.ca.

Dr. Pamela Thornton, B.Sc., ND

Pamela earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph in human biology. She then graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine's four-year Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program in 1998. Pamela has served on the boards of both the Ontario and Canadian Associations of Naturopathic Doctors.

She completed her Therapeutic Prescribing exam in 2016 to add the controlled act of prescribing to her clinical tool box.  She followed this by becoming a Graduate of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy Essential Elements of Prescription Hormone Compounding.  The addition of bio-identical hormones has vastly expanded Pamela’s ability to untangle the complex endocrine web that so many women find themselves entangle in.

Pamela is an integrative practitioner and passionate leader in the field of women’s hormonal health issues and fertility.  She does many public lectures on topics of integrative medicine and alternative approaches to health. With over 21-years of clinical experience, Pamela believes that what it takes to be well is not merely the absence of disease but rather a balance of physical, emotional and spiritual health.  As a result, she has also continued her wellness journey becoming a HeartMath certified practitioner and a Hoffman Process International graduate.

As a mother of three children, Pamela is keenly interested in the health and wellness of women and children and our planet and in building community resources to make education and collaboration available to everyone who seeks it.

Pamela is known for her keen listening skills and her ability to see the whole picture when creating a wellness plan.  Born and raised in Woodstock, she is delighted to be joining Tiffany and Ashley in bringing the WOMB to our community.

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