Up to 30% of the UK population suffer from thyroid disorders, hypo- or hyperthyroidism and they are 20 times more common in women. However Dr Durrant-Peatfield, endocrine specialist, believes that two-thirds of thyroid problems are undiagnosed,, and this poses a particular threat to pregnant women and new mothers.
Recent research has shown that pregnant women with untreated hypothyroidism, or under-active thyroid, have an increased risk of developing complications such as; pre-eclampsia, anaemia, miscarriage, premature labour, low birth weight, still birth and serious bleeding after birth.3 Those suffering from thyroid disorders are also more likely to have babies with birth defects including cleft lip or palate and were also at increased risk of heart, brain or kidney problems4.
Dr Barry Durrant-Peatfield, , explains: "In the early part of pregnancy the developing foetus is entirely dependent on the mother 's thyroid hormone, so it is vitally important that the pregnant woman 's thyroid hormone levels are adequate." In his new book, "Your Thyroid and How to Keep It Healthy," Dr Durrant-Peatfield, explains the working of the thyroid gland and why its proper function is so essential to health. He explains how and why it goes wrong, how to correctly diagnose the problem as well as offering advice on treatment, particularly using natural and nutritional approaches.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroxin, a chemical or hormone made by the thyroid gland in the neck. Thyroxin is carried around the body in the bloodstream and helps to keep the body 's functions, particularly the metabolism, working at the correct pace. Too little thyroxin causes many of the body 's functions to slow down and too much (hyperthyroidism) causes the body 's functions to speed up.
Hypothyroidism is also common in women who have recently given birth with about 1 in 20 women having thyroid imbalance for up to one year after having a baby5. Symptoms of hypothyroidism caused by a low level of thyroxin include: tiredness, weight gain, constipation, aches and pains, feeling cold, dry skin, mental retardation, memory loss, low sex drive, irritability and depression.
Although new mothers expect to feel tired, continual fatigue and insomnia can be a symptom of an underlying thyroid problem and mothers whose baby is at least six months old but are still feeling constantly tired, should see their GP. The treatment is straightforward and involves taking thyroxin tablets to rebalance the amount of thyroxin in their system. Dr Durrant-Peatfield suggests eating a diet rich in iodine, zinc, copper and vitamin A to help rebalance thyroxin levels after birth naturally.
Dr Durrant-Peatfield 's book, "Your Thyroid and How To keep It Healthy" is published by Hammersmith Press
|
30 Something and the Clock is Ticking
