Thyroid health and iodine use during pregnancy

During pregnancy, thyroid activity increases to meet the demands of both the mother and the baby, stimulated by the HCG hormone produced by the placenta. This can lead to visible enlargement of the gland.

While the American Thyroid Association recently recommended iodine supplementation for women planning to become pregnant or who are already pregnant, specialists note this may not apply to the Brazilian context. Because Brazilian law requires salt to be iodized, the country maintains sufficient iodine levels for most of the population.

Supplementation in Brazil may only be necessary for specific groups with restricted iodine diets, such as vegans, or individuals with severe heart failure or hypertension who consume very little salt. Experts also warned against using Lugol's solution, as excessive iodine intake can interfere with the fetal thyroid function.