Shop Plans
Health
Find a Health Plan
We offer a complete choice of plans to meet your coverage needs and fit your budget.
More Plans
Travel
Cancer
VIP
Dental
Get a Dental Plan
We offer three Traditional plans and three Certified plans to meet your needs.
Medicare
Pick a Medicare Plan
Thinking about your Medicare options? Find out which plan is right for you.
Find Doctor or Drug
Find a Doctor
Find a Doctor or Drug
Pick a directory to search or find other helpful information about drug resources, quality programs and more.
Directories
Louisiana Provider Directory
Quality Blue Directory
National Provider Directory
BlueDental Advantage Plus Directory
Davis Vision Directory
Hospital Based Physicians
ER/OR Information
Are you planning a hospital stay? If you just found out that you need surgery, or if you will be admitted to a hospital or ambulatory surgical center for any reason, you will most likely receive some care during your stay from a hospital-based physician. Learn more.
Other Directories
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core
Federal Employee Program (FEP)
Rx Drug Resources
Manage your medicine, find drug lists and learn how to save money.
Quality Programs
Quality Blue Programs
We work with doctors, hospitals and clinics around Louisiana to make sure you have a better healthcare experience.
Save Money
$25 Gym Memberships
Find a Gym
For just $25 a month and a $25 enrollment fee, you'll have access to 9,000 participating fitness locations around the state and nation.
More Money-Saving Tips
Find Discounts
Lower Drug Costs
Preventive Care Services
Primary Care Doctor
Pick a Primary Care Doctor
Picking a primary care doctor is an important step to staying healthy and saving money.
Choose the Right Care
Where you and go and who you see for treatment is a big part of getting quality healthcare while saving money.
Wellness
Discounts
Get discounts on gym memberships, fitness gear, healthy eating, prescriptions and more.
More Wellness Tips
Tools
Member Programs
Find a Program
Whether you want to quit smoking or find the right doctor, we have many programs to help.
Wellness Library
Learn About Wellness
Read articles, take quizzes, watch videos and listen to podcasts about many health topics.
Learn
Insurance 101
Learn the Basics
Understand your plan, learn about health savings accounts, and watch helpful videos.
Social
Find Us on Social Media
Join the conversation and stay connected with us for exclusive content.
Straight Talk
Get Straight Answers
If you're looking for a straight answer to your healthcare questions, this is the place.
My Account
My Account Information
Claims
Benefits
Costs
Statements
Pharmacy
Manage Account
Manage Your Account
Pay your bill, view your statements or update your email or password.
Forms
Other Coverage Questionnaire
Authorized Delegate
Health Assessment
Hypothyroidism is a condition that is caused by an underactive thyroid gland. It may happen during pregnancy. Many symptoms of the condition are similar to pregnancy symptoms. For example, they can both cause fatigue, weight gain, and changes in menstruation. Having low thyroid hormone levels can also cause problems with becoming pregnant. It can also be a cause of miscarriage, as well as raising the risk for a cesarean birth and increased bleeding after delivery.
Hypothyroidism is a common condition. The thyroid doesn't make enough thyroid hormones. Symptoms may be mild and may start slowly. It can go undetected if symptoms are mild. The most common symptoms include:
Feeling tired
Inability to stand cold temperatures
Hoarse voice
Swelling of the face
Weight gain
Constipation
Skin and hair changes, including dry skin and loss of eyebrows
Brittle nails
Carpal tunnel syndrome (hand tingling or pain)
Slow heart rate
Shortness of breath with activity
Muscle cramps, weakness, joint pain
Trouble concentrating
Irregular menstrual periods
The symptoms may be like other health problems. Talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
During the first few months of pregnancy, the baby relies on the mother for thyroid hormones. These hormones are vital for normal brain development and growth of the baby. Hypothyroidism in the mother can have long-lasting effects on the baby.
You will have blood tests that measure thyroid hormone (thyroxine, or T4) and serum TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels. TSH levels that are above normal and T4 levels that are below normal may mean you have hypothyroidism.
Routine screening for hypothyroidism during pregnancy is not advised. You should be tested if you are pregnant and have symptoms of hypothyroidism, a history of the condition, or other endocrine system conditions. The American Thyroid Association recommends that all pregnant women in the U.S. supplement their diet with 150 mcg of iodine in the form of potassium iodide. This is the amount often found in prenatal vitamins. If possible, begin taking this supplement 3 months before becoming pregnant. (This doesn't apply to women already taking thyroid hormone for hypothyroidism.)
Thyroid hormone replacement is used to treat the mother. The amount of thyroid hormone given is based on the mother's levels of thyroid hormones as well as her symptoms. Thyroid hormone levels may change during pregnancy. The hormone replacement dose will likely change over time. Thyroid hormone levels need to be checked every 4 weeks in the first half of pregnancy. The levels may be checked less often during the second half of pregnancy as long as the dose does not change. The treatment is safe and vital to both mother and baby. Thyroid hormones should not be taken at the same time as prenatal vitamins. This is because the minerals in the vitamins may stop the absorption of the thyroid hormone. All newborns are screened at birth to check thyroid hormone levels.