Armour Thyroid: Safe For Pregnancy?

Armour Thyroid is a natural product made from animal thyroid glands. It is used to treat hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and to treat or prevent goitre (enlarged thyroid gland). It is also given as part of a medical test for thyroid disorders. While there is limited data on the use of Armour Thyroid during pregnancy, current information suggests that it may be safe for use during pregnancy. Thyroid hormones do not easily cross the placenta, and clinical experience suggests that there are no adverse effects on the fetus when thyroid hormones are administered to pregnant women. However, it is always recommended to consult a healthcare provider to ensure that any medication use during pregnancy is safe and appropriate.

Armour Thyroid is safe to use during pregnancy

Thyroid hormones are crucial for the normal development of your baby's brain and nervous system. During the first trimester, your baby relies on your supply of thyroid hormone, which comes through the placenta. At around 12 weeks, your baby's thyroid starts to work on its own, but it doesn't make enough thyroid hormone until 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to ensure that pregnant women have sufficient thyroid hormones for the healthy development of the fetus.

Pregnant women with thyroid conditions can still have a healthy pregnancy and protect their baby's health by having regular thyroid function tests and taking any prescribed medications. The most common reason for pregnant women to take thyroid medication is to treat hypothyroidism when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine is typically used as it poses no danger to the developing baby.

According to Drugs.com, animal studies have not indicated any adverse effects on the fetus when thyroid hormones are administered to pregnant women. The US FDA pregnancy category is A, indicating that controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy, and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters.

In summary, Armour Thyroid is considered safe for use during pregnancy, but it is important to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure that you are receiving the appropriate dosage and monitoring for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Thyroid hormones are crucial for a baby's brain development

Thyroid hormones are essential for brain development and maturation. They influence neurogenesis, neuronal and glial cell differentiation and migration, synaptogenesis, and myelination. Conditions that lead to reduced levels of thyroid hormone, such as iodine deficiency, congenital hypothyroidism, maternal hypothyroxinemia, and prematurity, are associated with different degrees of mental retardation and neurological symptoms. Fetal and neonatal hypothyroidism leads to hypomyelination, and to defects of cell migration and differentiation. Most actions of thyroid hormones are due to interactions of triiodothyronine (T3) with nuclear receptors, which are present in the rat from embryonal day 14, and in the human at least from the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. Brain T3 is, in great part, produced from thyroxine (T4) by the action of type II deiodinase.

Untreated thyroid issues during pregnancy can lead to complications

Thyroid issues during pregnancy can pose serious health risks to both the mother and the baby if left untreated. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces hormones, which play a crucial role in controlling how the body uses energy. These hormones are essential for the normal development of the baby's brain and nervous system.

Untreated thyroid issues can lead to an increased risk of miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and stillbirth. Additionally, mothers may experience anemia, muscle pain, postpartum hemorrhage, and placental abnormalities. The baby's development may also be affected, leading to potential issues such as low IQ and problems with normal growth.

It is important to note that thyroid issues can be challenging to diagnose during pregnancy, as the symptoms may overlap with those of pregnancy itself. However, regular thyroid function tests and proper medication can help ensure a healthy pregnancy and protect the baby's health.

For pregnant women with hypothyroidism, the standard treatment is levothyroxine, a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone that is safe for the developing baby. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism during pregnancy is usually treated with antithyroid medications such as propylthiouracil and methimazole, which help reduce the amount of thyroid hormone produced.

Thyroid medication is safe to use while breastfeeding

It is safe to take thyroid medication while breastfeeding. Both thyroid hormone replacement and antithyroid drugs are considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. However, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking any medication while nursing, as certain medications may be ill-advised for breastfeeding mothers.

Thyroid medication is crucial for managing thyroid disease effectively and safely while breastfeeding. Untreated or under-treated thyroid conditions can have consequences for both the mother's health and her breastfeeding journey. For example, untreated hypothyroidism in mothers may lead to a decrease in milk supply and subsequently impact the baby's weight gain.

While some medications can pass into breast milk, it is generally understood that drugs used to treat hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are safe to take while breastfeeding when used as directed. This may involve modifying the dosage or regimen to ensure the medication does not negatively affect the nursing child.

It is worth noting that natural desiccated thyroid hormone, often prescribed by alternative medicine practitioners, is not recommended for women of childbearing age. If a woman is taking this form of thyroid medication, she should consult her healthcare provider about switching to a different prescription.

The American Thyroid Association recommends treating subclinical and overt hypothyroidism with levothyroxine in lactating women intending to breastfeed. Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of thyroid hormone that does not pose any danger to the nursing child. Adequate levothyroxine treatment can normalise milk production in hypothyroid mothers with low milk supply.

Thyroid medication may need to be adjusted during pregnancy

It is safe to take thyroid medication during pregnancy, but adjustments to the dosage may be necessary. In fact, it can be unsafe not to take it if it has been prescribed to you. If you have hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), you will probably need to take medication and be monitored by your doctor.

Thyroid levels are typically not tested during pregnancy unless you have a known thyroid condition, have had one in the past, or show symptoms of one. If you are taking thyroid medication, your doctor will monitor your thyroid function levels regularly and can help you adjust your dosage. The exact dose will be based on your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. The goal is a TSH of less than 4.0 mIU/L (milli-international units per liter), though providers may try to keep your number under 2.5 during pregnancy. Your TSH level is measured by a blood test.

During pregnancy, the thyroid gland needs to produce about 40% more thyroid hormone for both the mother and the developing baby. Women who do not produce or receive enough thyroid hormone during pregnancy are at greater risk of complications, including miscarriage, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery. Untreated hypothyroidism in pregnancy can impact your baby, as thyroid hormones play a critical role in a baby's brain development.

Armour Thyroid is a brand name for natural thyroid tablets made from animal thyroid glands. It is used to treat hypothyroidism and may be used during pregnancy, according to current information. However, it is important to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, as your dose may need to be adjusted.

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