ABSTRACT
Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) control the metabolic process of cellular activity and therefore influence a range of body functions including heart rate, heat production, response to stress and mental processing. Women may have pre-existing thyroid conditions that may cause too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). Hypothyroidism, due to autoimmune destruction of thyroid tissue or iodine deficiency, can impact fetal neurological development and for this reason needs to be treated prior to pregnancy. Midwives need to be aware of the features of thyroid hormone imbalance and make appropriate referral for assessment and treatment.
