The thyroid gland is butterfly-shaped and located at the base of the neck. The thyroid gland has an enormous impact on your health. Every aspect of your metabolism, from your heart rate to how quickly you burn calories, is regulated by thyroid hormones. You cannot live without your thyroid gland or the thyroid hormones.

Occasionally, the thyroid may not produce enough of the hormone thyroxine. This is called hypothyroidism. Sometimes, there is an overproduction of the hormone. This is called hyperthyroidism.

Diagnosis of thyroid disease

Blood tests are done to measure TSH and free T4. If the TSH is raised and the free T4 is low, then you have hypothyroidism. Decreased TSH and raised T4 are indicative of hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism

This is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Since the main purpose of thyroid hormone is to regulate the body's metabolism, people with this condition will have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism.

Causes of hypothyroidism during pregnancy

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Inadequate treatment of a woman already known to have hypothyroidism or over-treatment of a hyperthyroid woman with anti-thyroid medications can also result in problems .

The risks of hypothyroidism to the mother

Most women with mild hypothyroidism may have no symptoms. Untreated, or severe hypothyroidism has been associated with anaemia, muscle pain and weakness, low birth weight infants, and postpartum hemorrhage (bleeding).

The risks of maternal hypothyroidism to the baby

Thyroid hormone is critical for brain development in the baby. Do not stop your thyroid medication when you find out you are pregnant.The effect of maternal hypothyroidism on the baby’s brain development is not clear. It is important that hypothyroidism be adequately treated in pregnancy. TSH and free T4 levels must be checked regularly in pregnancy to monitor if you are getting enough hormone replacement.

Children born with congenital hypothyroidism (no thyroid function at birth) can have severe cognitive, neurological and developmental abnormalities if the condition is not recognized and treated promptly. It is recommended that babies of mothers with hypothyroidism be tested for thyroid function on the 3^rdor 4^th day of life. In fact, it would be ideal for all newborns to be tested for thyroid function.