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Thyroid diseases affect hormone levels and may cause overall hormonal imbalances that ultimately can have an impact on a woman’s fertility. Additionally, women have been found to develop either hyperthyroid or hypothyroid during pregnancy. However, it is untreated thyroid diseases that may have more of a negative impact on a pregnancy and not medicine-regulated thyroid conditions.

What is the difference?

Hyperthyroidism: refers to an overactive thyroid, when your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. It usually heightens your metabolism, causing an irregular fast heartbeat and often accompanied by unplanned weight loss.

Hypothyroidism: as the name suggests, this is when your thyroid gland is less than regularly active, thus producing less of the hormone thyroxine than your body needs. It may initially not cause any symptoms, but if left untreated hypothyroidism may lead to obesity, infertility, and heart disease.

Thyroid Risks & Pregnancy

You may be at a higher risk for a thyroid condition during pregnancy if:

• You are currently being treated for a thyroid condition.
• Have already had a thyroid condition or have had a child with a thyroid condition.
• Have a family history of thyroid autoimmune conditions, such as Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s disease.
• Have an autoimmune condition or Type 1 diabetes.

Hyperthyroid and Pregnancy

Untreated or inappropriately treated hyperthyroidism can lead to the following issues during pregnancy, especially affecting the baby:

1. Premature birth, before the 37^th week of pregnancy.
2. Low birthweight, with the baby being born under 5 pounds.
3. Goiter, the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland as well as general thyroid problems.
4. Miscarriage or stillbirth.

Hypothyroid and Pregnancy

Some of the problems untreated hypothyroid can cause for the baby are the same as in the case of untreated hyperthyroid—such as thyroid problems, miscarriage or stillbirth—but there are a few that are different:

1. Problems with nervous system developmenta and brain growth, especially when untreated hypothyroid happens during the first trimester.
2. Infantile myxedema, which is linked to severe hypothyroid can lead to dwarfism (when an adult person is less than 4ft tall) as well as lower-than-average intelligence and a lack of skills necessary for daily life. 

Thyroid Medicine

Whether you are experiencing hyperthyroid or hypothyroid, thyroid medicine is meant to balance thyroid hormones in your body and keep them at the right level. If you are taking thyroid medicine and planning to become pregnant, consult with your doctor for possible adjustments. If you are taking medicine and become pregnant, do not stop taking your medication—as untreated thyroid problems lead to more severe issues than taking the medicine—but do get in contact with your doctor as soon as possible to ensure your and your baby’s health.

Remember that since thyroid diseases are a hormonal imbalance, lack of medicine and proper treatment is what leads to severe, or even fatal, issues during pregnancy; thyroid medication is not likely to harm an expectant mother or her baby.