Q&A: I May Have a Thyroid Condition; What Should I Do Before TTC?

Your first step: Don’t ignore the problem. If you do have the disease and leave it untreated, you and baby face a variety of risks and complications, including mental problems for baby, heart failure for you, and preterm birth. But the good news is, as long as the disease is properly treated, women with thyroid disease can have healthy babies. Thyroid tests aren’t a common part of prenatal diagnoses, so make sure to ask your doctor for a test if you have any symptoms of hyper or hypothyroidism. Many thyroid meds are fine for you and baby, but some (like radioactive iodine) are actually harmful for baby and should be avoided. Your doc will be able to steer you in the right direction in terms of the best treatment for you and help monitor your levels of thyroid hormone throughout your pregnancy; so speak to your doctor ASAP about getting diagnosed and what your options are.