The thyroid gland is known as the “engine of the body” and affects the body’s energy metabolism by secreting the right amount of thyroid hormones. Among thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the most common. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are more obvious and manifest as prominent eyes, increased meal size and abnormal weight loss. Hypothyroidism, or hypothyroidism, is characterized by low energy, lethargy, weight gain, fear of cold, constipation and memory loss. It is caused by a dysregulation of the autoimmune system, which results in the body not having enough thyroid hormones, resulting in weakened energy metabolism levels in other parts and organs of the body. Because the initial symptoms of hypothyroidism are hidden, similar to what is often referred to as “suboptimal health”, it is often easy to miss screening and treatment. What are the risks of hypothyroidism to the mother-to-be and the fetus? When a mother-to-be has hypothyroidism, the fetus will compete with the mother for thyroid hormones. If the thyroid hormones needed for fetal brain development are not supplied properly, the fetus will have abnormal brain development, which will affect intelligence and growth disorders. Hypothyroidism also increases the risk of premature birth, stillbirth and placental abruption. Even if the pregnancy is successful, the mother will be at a higher risk of developing postpartum thyroiditis. How far is thyroid disease from us? The Chinese Medical Association has conducted a large scale screening of thyroid function in women in early pregnancy in Shenyang. Of the 4,800 mothers who were screened, about 10% were suffering from diseases related to hypothyroidism, so experts recommend that thyroid screening should be part of the pregnancy check-up when planning a pregnancy. Who needs thyroid screening? Where is it done? In addition to women who are planning to get pregnant, mothers-to-be should also go to the endocrinology department of a hospital if they have checked more than five items on the “Hypothyroidism Self-Check Sheet” because their thyroid function may change during pregnancy. Check up once every 5 years. It is easy to check the thyroid function, which is to check the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood test, and if there is any abnormality, then the detailed examination of blood and ultrasound will be carried out, and the cost of the two tests is about 200 yuan.