More pregnant women may have low thyroid levels than doctors currently realize - over five times more than the currently accepted rate of two to three percent.

Snoring is not only disruptive to a person's sleep - and his or her partner's as well. It is a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious condition which can increase a person's risk of death.

For women who are pregnant, reduced thyroid function can have adverse effects on both the woman's health, and that of her unborn baby. These effects can include the risk of miscarriage and premature birth, but the universal screening of pregnant women for thyroid disfunction is still controversial due to costs.

Researchers at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) have identified a chemical compound in Graves' disease (overactive thyroid) that may prevent thyroid cells to reverting to their normal function.