What is the interaction between the thyroid function of the mother and the baby?
For the first 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is completely dependent on the mother for the production of thyroid hormone. By the end of the first trimester, the baby’s thyroid begins to produce thyroid hormone on its own. The baby, however, remains dependent on the mother for ingestion of adequate amounts of iodine, which is essential to make the thyroid hormones. The normal diet in the United States contains sufficient iodine so additional iodine supplementation is rarely necessary.
Thyroid.org: Radioactive Iodine Uses for Thyroid Disease FAQ …radiation exposure to others, particularly to pregnant women and small children. The amount of radiation exposure markedly decreases as the distance from the patient increases. Patients who need to travel in the time immediately after I-131 RAI treatment are advised to carry a letter of explanation fro… http://next.thyroid.org/patients/faqs/radioactive.
