TOO MUCH thyroid hormone can cause maternal risks, a new research shows.
According to Dr. Maria Honolina Gomez and Dr. Mary Flor Gafate of the UST Hospital (USTH) Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, hyperthyroidism, too much thyroxin in a pregnant woman’s body is associated with poor maternal and fetal outcomes. Thyroid hormones are responsible for body metabolism, growth, and development.
The paper, “Maternal and Fetal Outcomes of Pregnancies Complicated by Hyperthyroidism,” won first prize in the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists in Washington DC last May 18 to 22.
Gafate said that while the thyroid gland controls body metabolism, too much thyroid hormone in the body can harm the mother and the child. Symptoms include feeling warm, hard or fast heartbeats, nervousness, insomnia, and nausea coupled with weight loss.
“Most common are pregnancy-induced hypertension and small gestational age (the appropriate age to avoid premature birth) among babies,” said Gafate, who trained at the University for two years.
Gafate and Gomez made a descriptive study and reviewed the past records of patients from 2000-2005.
Gomez said she thought of doing the study after many pregnant women with hyperthyroidism were referred to her section in the Clinical Division of the USTH.
The paper also won in the 35th Annual Convention of the Philippine College of Physicians last May. Marie Ghiselle V. Villorente
