English for PTA

Pregnancy and the Thyroid Gland

Abbildung © Larysa Dodz /www.iStockphoto.com © Larysa Dodz /www.iStockphoto.com

Any form of thyroid disorder, either hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or Hashimoto’s autoimmune syndrome, may all have an adverse effect on a pregnancy and therefore need to be especially carefully monitored.

As the foetus does not start to produce its own thyroid hormones until the onset of the second trimester, it is completely dependent on the mother for thyroid hormones until this phase. Patients who have been diagnosed as having hypothyroidism need to be monitored by their GP or gynaecologist at regular intervals: in the first trimester blood tests help the doctor to determine if the thyroid hormone is at a level comparable to the natural increase found in a normally functioning thyroid gland.

In any case, it is essential to be closely monitored at all stages of the pregnancy to ensure that the thyroid is functioning as it should. Untreated hypothyroidism can cause a whole list of complica - tions for both mother and baby. In the mother’s case, severe fatigue, depression, and even heart failure in severe cases. In the case of the foetus, it may cause foetal abnormalities, low weight at birth, miscarriage and even stillbirth. Severe untreated hypothyroidism in the mother can lead to impaired brain development in the foetus.

Pharmacy customer: Hello.
PTA: Hello, Mrs Jones.

Here’s my usual prescription for L-thyroxine. I have to be really careful and be sure to take it regularly now that I’m pregnant!
Oh! You’re pregnant! Congratulations!

Thank you! I’m so happy! It’s quite early but I’m being very careful about what I eat and drink etc. Yes, that is sensible. This your first pregnancy, isn’t it?

Yes, it is. Why?
You see, you don’t just have to be sensible about your nutrition, you also have to make sure that you get the correct amount of thyroxine.

Really? I didn’t know that!
It’s not just essential for your health, it’s also very important for the baby’s development.

What should I do? Increase the amount of levothyroxine that I take?
No, only a doctor can do that. You should make an appointment as soon as possible with your GP or gynaecologist. I see here in your customer account with us that you have been taking 100 micrograms for several years. The GP usually increases the dose by about 25 to 50 micrograms – the exact dosage depends on the amount that you are now taking and the results of the blood tests that the doctor is likely to take.

I see. Okay, I’ll make an appointment straightaway. It’s a good thing that I’m a regular here, isn’t it?
Yes, it does help sometimes! So, here’s your L-thyroxine.

Thank you, bye!
Bye

VOCABULARY
pregnancy Schwangerschaft
thyroid gland Schilddrüse
adverse effect nachteilige Auswirkung
onset Beginn
dependent abhängig
comparable to vergleichbar mit
ensure vergewissern
untreated unbehandelt
severe schwerwiegend
fatigue Ermattung, Ermüdung, Ermüdungserscheinung
heart failure Herzversagen
birth Geburt
miscarriage Fehlgeburt
stillbirth Totgeburt
impaired beeinträchtigt
brain Gehirn, Hirn
development Entwicklung
pregnant schwanger
congratulations Glückwünsche
sensible vernünftig
increase Erhöhung
amount Menge, Quantität
appointment Termin
several mehrere
results Ergebnisse
straightaway sofort
regular (ugs.) Stammkunde