Thyroid Disorders during Pregnancy

The thyroid diseases, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are relatively common in pregnancy and important to treat. The thyroid is an organ located in the front of the neck which releases hormones that regulate the metabolism, weight, body temperature, heart and nervous system, and many other processes in the body. Thyroid hormones are necessary to assure healthy development of the brain and nervous system of the fetus during the first three months of pregnancy since the baby depends on the hormones from the mother, which are delivered through the placenta. At around 12 weeks, the thyroid gland in the fetus will begin to produce its own thyroid hormones.