A new study has shown that pregnant women who have during the end of pregnancy have a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level above 2.5 -- a level that is considered within the "normal range" or reference range for the TSH test -- are at higher risk of for their baby to be in a breech position (The term breech refers to a baby that is not in the head-down position.)

According to the study, about 11% of the women with a TSH above 2.5 had breech presentation, vs. 4.8% in women with a TSH level less than 2.5.

Some thyroid experts feel that these findings emphasize the importance of thorough screening and followup during pregnancy in women who have hypothyroidism.

More On Pregnancy and Thyroid Disease

• Fertility, Pregnancy & Thyroid Disease Information Center
• Managing Thyroid Disease During and After Pregnancy: Guidelines
• Pregnancy Site at About.com

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Kuppens, SM, "Increased TSH levels increased risk for breech delivery," Clinical Endocrinology 2009;doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.2009.03729}

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A new study has found that the risk of placental separation during labor -- a condition also known as placental abruption -- is three times higher than usual in pregnant women who have elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies. (Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are sometimes abbreviated anti-TPO antibodies.)

Placental abruption is rare, but can be fatal, and involves the separation of the placenta from the uterus prior to or during labor.

The researchers still need to determine whether thyroid treatment will help reduce the risk, or whether screening would be useful.

The study will be published in the August 2010 issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Read more about placental abruption here at About.com.

More On Pregnancy and Thyroid Disease

• Fertility, Pregnancy & Thyroid Disease Information Center
• Managing Thyroid Disease During and After Pregnancy: Guidelines
• Asymptomatic Thyroid Problems in Mother Can Harm Newborn

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The Environmental Health News is reporting on a study showing that pregnant women who live closer to facilities that recycle electronic waste have higher levels of toxic chemicals in their bloodstream, and lower levels of thyroid hormones than normal.

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Environmental Health News}

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It's no secret that many thyroid patients end up hypothyroid, with an underactive or non-functioning thyroid, and that may contribute to weight gain, or make it more difficult to lose weight.

But with thousands of different diet programs to choose from, it can be confusing for those of us who want to lose weight to know which direction to turn.

If you have followed a nationally-known diet program or plan, share your own story and/or a review of the weight loss program you used -- including the pros and cons of the program -- from your unique perspective as a thyroid patient.

And read what other thyroid patients have experienced using popular diet programs in their own efforts -- successful and not -- to lose weight.

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