Thyroid Disorders During Pregnancy

In Graves disease Causes (an autoimmune disorder Some Autoimmune Disorders ), abnormal antibodies stimulate the thyroid gland to produce excess thyroid hormone. These antibodies may cross the placenta and stimulate the thyroid gland in the fetus. As a result, the fetus occasionally has a rapid heart rate and does not grow as much as expected. The fetus’s thyroid gland may enlarge, forming a goiter. Rarely, the goiter is so large that it makes swallowing difficult for the fetus, causes too much fluid to accumulate in the membranes around the fetus (polyhydramnios Problems With Amniotic Fluid Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds the fetus in the uterus. The fluid and fetus are contained in membranes called the amniotic sac. Problems with amniotic fluid include Too much amniotic... read more ), or causes labor to start early.

Usually during pregnancy, Graves disease is treated with the lowest possible dose of propylthiouracil, taken by mouth. Physical examinations and measurements of thyroid hormone levels are done regularly because propylthiouracil crosses the placenta. The medication may slow the activity of the thyroid gland and prevent the fetus from producing enough thyroid hormone. It may also cause a goiter to form in the fetus. Synthetic thyroid hormones, usually also used to treat this disorder, are not used with propylthiouracil during pregnancy. These hormones may cover up problems that occur when doses of propylthiouracil are too high, and they may cause hypothyroidism in the fetus. Methimazole may be used instead of propylthiouracil.

Often, Graves disease becomes less severe during the 3rd trimester, so the medication dose can be reduced or the medication can be stopped.

Radioactive iodine, used to diagnose or treat Graves disease, is not used during pregnancy because it can damage the fetus’s thyroid gland.

If thyroid storm Thyroid storm Hyperthyroidism is overactivity of the thyroid gland that leads to high levels of thyroid hormones and speeding up of vital body functions. Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism... read more (sudden, extreme overactivity of the thyroid gland) occurs or symptoms become severe, women may be given beta-blockers (typically used to treat high blood pressure).

If necessary, the thyroid gland of pregnant women may be removed during the 2nd trimester. Women thus treated must begin taking synthetic thyroid hormones 24 hours after surgery. For these women, taking these hormones causes no problems for the fetus.

Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is underactivity of the thyroid gland that leads to inadequate production of thyroid hormones and a slowing of vital body functions. Facial expressions become dull, the voice... read more sometimes causes menstrual periods to stop. However, women with mild or moderate hypothyroidism often have normal menstrual periods and can become pregnant. During pregnancy, women can continue to take their usual dose of the synthetic thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4). As pregnancy progresses, the dose may need to be adjusted.

If hypothyroidism is first diagnosed during pregnancy, it is treated with thyroxine.

Hashimoto thyroiditis Hashimoto Thyroiditis Hashimoto thyroiditis is chronic, autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto thyroiditis results when antibodies in the body attacks the cells of the thyroid gland—an autoimmune... read more is chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by an autoimmune reaction—when the immune system malfunctions and attacks its own tissues. Because the immune system is suppressed during pregnancy, this disorder may become less evident. However, pregnant women sometimes develop hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism that requires treatment.

Subacute thyroiditis Subacute Thyroiditis Subacute thyroiditis is acute inflammation of the thyroid, probably caused by a virus. (See also Overview of the Thyroid Gland.) Subacute thyroiditis usually begins suddenly. In this disorder... read more (sudden inflammation of the thyroid gland) is common during pregnancy. The thyroid gland may enlarge, forming a goiter that is tender. The goiter usually develops during or after a respiratory infection. Hyperthyroidism may develop and cause symptoms, but it is temporary.

Subacute thyroiditis usually requires no treatment.

In the first 6 months after delivery, the thyroid gland may become underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism).

Postdelivery thyroid disorders are more common among women who have

If women have any of the above risk factors, doctors measure levels of thyroid hormones during the 1st trimester and after delivery. Thyroid disorders that develop after delivery are usually temporary but may require treatment.

A disorder called painless thyroiditis with transient hyperthyroidism may develop suddenly in the first few weeks after delivery. It is probably caused by an autoimmune reaction. This disorder may persist, recur periodically, or steadily worsen.