Healthy Thyroid Gland Function

Failing to treat thyroid disease during pregnancy can increase your risk of miscarriage, premature birth and developmental delays. Low thyroid function is also implicated in post-natal depression.

Healthy thyroid gland function is vital in pregnancy as the baby relies on a surge of maternal thyroid hormones to provide the essential fuel for higher brain development and optimal genetic expression.

If you are pregnant, breast feeding or considering having a baby it is suggested that you supplement your daily diet with iodine in the form of potassium iodide. Professor Eastman, who conducted a Australian iodine study in 2006, recommends that pregnant women consider taking 250mcg of potassium iodide per day.

Most health professsionals now recommend 250mcg of iodine daily along with a comprehensive multivitamin and mineral supplement that also supplies at least 500mcg of folic acid. It is best not to exceed the upper tolerable limit of 1100mcg of iodine daily.

Read more about thyroid health in pregnancy in the Natural Thyroid Help e-book.