Thyroid disease and pregnancy

Abstract

Several important issues must be considered when thyroid disorders occur during pregnancy. These include establishing the diagnosis (including an understanding of the effect of pregnancy and its hormonal changes on the immune system in general and the thyroid function in particular) treatment and uneventful maternal and neonatal outcome. The evaluation and treatment of women with thyroid disease during pregnancy parallels that of nonpregnant women and men, but presents unique problems. In addition some types of thyroid disorders occur only during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Pregnancy complicated by some thyroid disorders is associated with an increased rate of complications to the mother as well as to the fetus. This review will seek to discuss the diagnosis, management of different thyroid disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period.