women s health issues
Thyroid Disorders During Pregnancy
Graves disease
In Causes (an Usually during pregnancy, Graves disease is treated with the lowest possible dose ofpropylthiouracil, taken by mouth. Physical examinations and measurements of thyroid hormone levels are done regularly becausepropylthiouracilcrosses 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 withpropylthiouracilduring pregnancy. These hormones may cover up problems that occur when doses ofpropylthiouracilare too high, and they may cause hypothyroidism in the fetus.Methimazolemay be used instead ofpropylthiouracil. 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 (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. 