Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know About Thyroid Health During Pregnancy

When you're pregnant, your body changes in ways you can't always feel — one of the biggest is how your thyroid, a small gland in your neck that controls metabolism and energy use. Also known as thyroid gland, it works harder during pregnancy to support both you and your growing baby. If your thyroid isn't producing enough hormone — a condition called hypothyroidism, when the thyroid doesn't make enough hormones to keep your body running right — it can raise risks for miscarriage, preterm birth, or developmental delays in your child. Many women don’t know they have it until it’s already affecting their pregnancy.

That’s why checking your TSH levels, a blood test that measures thyroid-stimulating hormone to assess thyroid function early in pregnancy is critical. Normal TSH ranges change during pregnancy — what’s normal for you before might be too high now. Left untreated, even mild hypothyroidism can slow fetal brain development. The good news? It’s easy to fix. Most women take a daily dose of levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone used to replace what the body isn’t making, which is safe and essential during pregnancy. Your doctor will adjust your dose as your pregnancy progresses, often needing more by the second trimester.

Some women start feeling tired, gain weight without reason, or get cold easily — symptoms that are easy to blame on pregnancy itself. But if you’ve had thyroid issues before, or if your family has a history of them, don’t ignore these signs. Blood tests are the only way to know for sure. And if you’re already on thyroid medication, never stop or change your dose without talking to your doctor. Many women need higher doses during pregnancy, and skipping doses can hurt your baby’s development.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from doctors and patients who’ve been through it. From how to track your medication schedule during morning sickness, to what lab results mean, to how to avoid dangerous drug interactions — every article here is about keeping you and your baby safe. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what works.