Urinary Iodine Level Assessment and its Relation to Thyroid Function during Pregnancy

Abstract

hyroid disease in pregnancy is common. At least 2–3% of women are affected by thyroid dysfunction and around 10% suffer from autoimmune thyroid disease despite euthyroidism. In the last years, the understanding of thyroid physiology in pregnancy and the association between thyroid dysfunction and obstetrical/neonatal adverse outcomes have greatly improved and, as a result, the scientific community has released specific guidelines. Pregnancy influences thyroid function and untreated thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) is associated with increased rate of adverse outcomes. This raises the need for an awareness of thyroid disease in pregnancy with the aim of reducing the rate of complications.