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Thyroid Disease and Pregnancy: Doctors Need to Understand the Link

(HealthCentersOnline) -- Many physicians, including obstetrician-gynecologists are often unaware about new research findings in thyroid disease during and after pregnancy, according to a new survey. The survey was conducted by researchers from the New Jersey Medical School at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).

A thyroid disorder is any condition affecting the thyroid, a small gland in the neck. The thyroid gland influences many functions of the body, such as growth and development, puberty, organ function, fertility and body temperature. These metabolic functions depend on hormones released from the thyroid gland.

The two most common thyroid disorders are hypothyroidism, which is caused by having too little thyroid hormone, and hyperthyroidism, caused by having too much thyroid hormone. These disorders are common in the United States, with more than 20 million Americans affected by thyroid disease, according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE).

Thyroid disease is more common in women than in men. During pregnancy, nearly one out of every 50 women is diagnosed with lack of thyroid hormone, and 6 percent of miscarriages are associated with thyroid deficiency. In addition, recent research has linked thyroid disease during pregnancy with increased risk of premature birth and cognitive impairment in newborns. Thyroid disease in pregnant women can be difficult to treat due to the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy.

For this study, the researchers created a questionnaire to assess doctors' knowledge about thyroid disorders during pregnancy. The questionnaire was completed by 400 physicians, evenly divided between the medical fields of endocrinology (branch that specializes on disorders of hormonal imbalance), obstetrics/gynecology, internal medicine and family medicine.

Results from the survey found that only two-thirds of physicians answered the questions correctly. Endocrinologists scored the highest on the survey, followed by obgyns, and internists and family practitioners had the lowest scores.

Findings from the survey also indicate that physicians' degree of knowledge about thyroid disease and pregnancy is related to their area of expertise, current medical position, years of training and experience treating pregnant patients with the disorders. Doctors' confidence in their knowledge of thyroid disorders and pregnancy were also found to have an effect.

"Our study highlights the need for an educational initiative devoted to disseminating the recent findings on thyroid abnormalities in pregnant women. More physician training on thyroid disease during pregnancy would ultimately result in increased detection of the disease and better patient care," the researchers said in a recent press release.

The results of this study were presented earlier this month at the 77th annual meeting of the American Thyroid Association in Phoenix, Arizona.

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