Thyroid disorders Overview of the Thyroid Gland The thyroid is a small gland, measuring about 2 inches (5 centimeters) across, that lies just under the skin below the Adam’s apple in the neck. The two halves (lobes) of the gland are connected... read more may be present before women become pregnant, or they may develop during pregnancy. Being pregnant does not change the symptoms of thyroid disorders. How the fetus is affected depends on which thyroid disorder is present and which drugs are used for treatment. But generally, the following are risks:
With an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism 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
) if untreated: Slow or less-than-expected growth in the fetus Small-for-Gestational-Age (SGA) Newborns A newborn who weighs less than 90% of newborns of the same gestational age at birth (below the 10th percentile) is considered small for gestational age. Newborns may be small because their parents... read more , preeclampsia Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Preeclampsia is new high blood pressure or worsening of existing high blood pressure that is accompanied by excess protein in the urine and that develops after the 20th week of pregnancy. Eclampsia... read more (a type of high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy), and stillbirth Stillbirth Stillbirth is death of a fetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Stillbirth may result from a problem in the woman, placenta, or fetus. Doctors do blood tests to try to identify the cause of a stillbirth... read more With an underactive thyroid gland (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
) if untreated: Impaired intellectual development in children and miscarriage Miscarriage A miscarriage is the loss of a fetus before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Miscarriages may occur because of a problem in the fetus (such as a genetic disorder or birth defect) or in the woman (such... read more
The most common causes of hypothyroidism in pregnant women are
Treatment of Graves disease
If women have or have had a thyroid disorder, they and the baby are closely monitored during and after pregnancy. Doctors regularly check them for changes in symptoms and do blood tests to measure thyroid hormone levels.
Graves disease
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 drug 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 drug dose can be reduced or the drug 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 a thyroid storm (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 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 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 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.
Postdelivery thyroid disorders
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 a goiter
Have close family members with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism caused by an autoimmune reaction
Have Hashimoto thyroiditis
Have type 1 diabetes
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.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
propylthiouracil |
No brand name available |
