A 31-year-old member asked:
What happens to the baby if the father is hypothyroid and the mother is hyperthyroid?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Melissa Younganswered
Endocrinology 11 years experience
During pregnancy?: Do you mean during the pregnancy? The risk of preterm labor is higher if mom if hyperthyroid. If her thyroid antibodies are high, baby can be temporarily hyperthyroid at birth. Meds used for hyperthyroid can sometimes cause birth defects. If you mean long term effects on baby, having 2 parents with thyroid disease increases the likelihood baby will someday get it too.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Susan Wingoanswered
Endocrinology 35 years experience
Hard to predict: First, I agree with Dr Young's answer, and recommend very close followup for you thyroid condition during pregnancy. As far as the baby's chances for having thyroid problems, it would be nice if the hypo from dad & hyper from mom canceled each other out, but that is not how it works. Most likely both parents make antibodies targeting thyroid proteins, (continued)
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
1 comment
Dr. Susan Wingo commented
Endocrinology 35 years experience
Provided original answer
so that the baby will have a higher-than-average chance of someday making antibodies to thyroid proteins and having thyroid disease herself. Early on, that could result in slow growth or developmental delays. Thyroid problems could happen in infancy, in childhood, in adulthood, or never. Make sure you pediatrician knows the family history, and that your future young adult child knows this as well
Mar 7, 2015
Last updated Mar 7, 2015
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