Pregnant women at high risk of thyr

Pregnant women at high risk of thyroid problems (see box on page one) should have a thyroid function test even if they do not have symptoms of an under active thyroid. Ideally, this screening blood test should take place by the ninth week of pregnancy or at the first prenatal visit.Because of the dangers of untreated thyroid disease, some experts advise screening all newly pregnant women for abnormal thyroid function. You should ask your health care provider early in your pregnancy whether you need thyroid function blood tests.Women who have known high levels of TPO antibodies need extra thyroid function screening. They are at increased risk of hypothyroidism and pregnancy problems such as miscarriage. Therefore, they should get a TSH blood test before they try to become pregnant, and again during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy (first six months).