Guest Author - Krissi Danielsson

First, I'd like to add a disclaimer, and this applies to any articles you'll find on this site that deal with medical issues. I am not a doctor and I cannot offer medical advice, but this is just some commentary on medical news that's crossed the wire recently.

That said, there have been some very interesting headlines lately for women who are dealing with miscarriage. It's been known for some time that hypothyroidism can have an impact on pregnancy. Studies suggest that pregnancy women with a deficient thyroid have as much as a four times higher risk of miscarriage than those with normal thyroid hormone levels, particularly in the second trimester. Women with autoimmune diseases, which are also another risk factor for miscarriage, may be as much as 25% more likely to develop hypothyroidism during pregnancy. You can read more about this in the related links section below.

If this weren't a good enough reason already to ask your doctor to check your thyroid levels, over the past two weeks another story has hit the wires. Apparently, hyperthyroidism is also linked to increased rates of miscarriage. Women with an overactive thyroid may be three or four times as likely to miscarry as those with normal levels.

Obviously, this news means that it's worth paying some attention to your thyroid. Estimates suggest that as much as 10-15% of the US population may have a thyroid condition, diagnosed or not. It's hardly a reason to panic, but if you have any of the symptoms of hypo or hyperthyroidism, it's worth mentioning it to your doctor and requesting a screening. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for, as quoted from www.endocrineweb.com:

Hyperthyroidism

Palpitations
Heat intolerance
Nervousness
Insomnia
Breathlessness
Increased bowel movements
Light or absent menstrual periods
Fatigue
Fast heart rate
Trembling hands
Weight loss
Muscle weakness
Warm moist skin
Hair loss
Staring gaze

Hypothyroidism

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido

If you turn out to have either of these conditions, they're manageable...you just need to have it diagnosed by your physician and then follow his or her instructions. Thyroid problems can also put you at a higher risk for other health issues, so if you have any doubt in your mind, it's best to ask. Good luck!