Thyroid Hormones in Pregnancy
Thyroid Hormones in Pregnancy; The thyroid gland is known as the thyroid or shield gland. It is a butterfly-shaped multivascular gland that surrounds the front and sides of the neck (larynx and trachea). It helps regulate many functions in the body. Therefore, thyroid monitoring during pregnancy is a very sensitive issue.
If the production of the hormone is reduced (hypothyroidism) or the thyroid glands are overactive (hyperthyroidism), various disorders occur in the body. For this reason, thyroid is often the source of various problems such as forgetfulness and weight gain.
Thyroid, which is basically related to energy metabolism, affects protein synthesis, growth and development, neurological activities, psychological problems, skin and bone health, ovulation as well as cellular energy production.
With these effects on the body, it also has an important role in the development of the child in the womb. These values should be monitored regularly during pregnancy.
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Thyroid in Pregnant Women
In the first 3 months of pregnancy, the baby needs the thyroid hormone secreted by the mother for healthy body and brain development. Because the baby’s thyroid gland starts to secrete hormones after the 3rd month of pregnancy. However, it is possible for it to fully fulfill its function from the 5th month onwards. For this reason, especially in the first months of pregnancy, the mother’s hormone levels should be kept under control.
If thyroid diseases are not treated during pregnancy, miscarriage, premature birth, pregnancy poisoning (preeclampsia), hypertension, inadequate development in the baby and newborn hyperthyroidism may occur.
Expectant mothers who have thyroid disease or have a hereditary risk of thyroid disease should mention these conditions in their pre-pregnancy controls, which will provide an advantage in the follow-up and treatment of the condition.
What are the harms of hypothyroidism during pregnancy to mother and baby?
Thyroid Hormones in Pregnancy; Hypothyroidism that is not recognized during pregnancy or delayed in its treatment, i.e. a decrease in thyroid hormones in the blood, may not show any symptoms. However, it can leave effects during or after birth. The most common consequences;
- Anemia
- Heart failure
- Placenta anomalies,
- Muscle weakness
- Bleeding during labor

Thyroid Hormones in Pregnancy 2025
Conclusion;
Thyroid Hormones in Pregnancy; Thyroid hormones are very important for the brain development of the baby. Babies with congenital hypothyroidism may develop perceptual and mental disorders, neurological and developmental anomalies. However, it is possible to prevent all these problems with early diagnosis.
It is not possible to make definitive statements about the effects of maternal hypothyroidism on the brain development of the baby. It can be said that developmental delay is often seen as a result of pregnancies with hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency. For this reason, thyroid hormones and TSH monitoring should not be neglected before and during pregnancy, especially in the at-risk group. Since the need for thyroid hormone will increase by 20-25% during pregnancy, it may be necessary to increase the drug doses of patients receiving drug treatment, sometimes up to twice as much.
Thyroid control should be performed at 6-8 week intervalsduring pregnancy. If the dose of thyroid hormone is changed, the next check is 4 weeks later. Prenatal vitamins, vitamin preparations that are given to support pregnancy and that also contain iron, reduce the absorption of thyroid hormone. Therefore, it may be necessary to leave a 2-3 hour interval between two medications. After delivery, the mother’s need for medication will decrease and the pre-pregnancy doses will be restored in a short time.
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Thyroid Hormones in Pregnancy