Pregnancy has an important impact on the thyroid gland and its function. Thyroid activity
changes as a consequence of the novel physiological state of pregnancy and requires
a complex hormonal and metabolic adaptation, which is possible only in the presence
of a perfectly functioning thyroid gland. In fact, thyroid function is crucial for
the success of the implantation and the progression of pregnancy. Abnormal thyroid
function is very common among childbearing age women, explaining the high incidence
of thyroid diseases that occur during pregnancy. Aim of this work is to analyze the
adaptive events that characterize the thyroid function during pregnancy, exploring
their hormonal, metabolic and molecular mechanisms. Moreover, the interpretation of
the laboratory data necessary to monitor the thyroid functioning during normal pregnancy
or in the presence of thyroid abnormalities will be discussed.
