Hormone may Cause Miscarriage

Pregnant women beware, a natural hormone you produce may actually be harmful to your baby.

According to a recent study by the University of Chicago Hospitals, abnormal levels of the thyroid hormone can be toxic to a developing fetus. Thyroid hormone plays a major role in the development of a fetus.

In some cases, a woman can have high levels of thyroid hormone and still be normal because of thyroid resistance. Yet, these affected women may carry fetuses that have been exposed to high thyroid hormone levels.

Researchers studied extended members of a large family in which both parents were unaffected, or either the mother or the father had high levels of the hormone but was thyroid resistant.

Results showed affected mothers had an increased rate of miscarriage or a higher chance of having an underdeveloped child if they carried their baby to term.

Researchers say, “The data presented herein show, for the first time in humans, that high levels of thyroid hormone can exert a direct toxic effect on fetal development.”

Researchers hope that this study will emphasize the importance of accurate thyroid replacement for pregnant women with low thyroid levels, because over replacement can be dangerous to the well being of mother and child.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2004;292:691-695