Overtreatment could lead to hypothyroidism in the fetus. Specifics of the importance of how frequently a women with Graves' Disease needs to be monitored is also covered in this article. During pregnancy a women should be monitored every 4 – 6 weeks or more if the status of her thyroid changes. .
This website article is targeted to pregnant women with thyroid disease. The article focuses on the two different types of thyroid disease; hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is usually caused by Graves' Disease. Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is usually caused by Hashimoto's Disease. The site's article also discusses how hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can affect the mother and baby. Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism during pregnancy can lead to congestive heart failure, preeclampsia (dangerous rise in high blood pressure), thyroid storm (sudden, severe worsening of symptoms), miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight. Some of the same problems caused by hyperthyroidism can occur with hypothyroidism; preeclampsia, anemia, miscarriage, low birth weight, stillbirth and rarely congestive heart failure. Hyperthyroidism in a newborn can result in rapid heart rate, which may lead to heart failure; early closure of the soft spots in the skull; poor weight gain; irritability and sometimes an enlarged thyroid that can press against the wind pipe and interfere with breathing. Uncontrolled hypothyroidism can affect the baby's growth and brain development. The article also explains the types of treatments/medications for each type of thyroid disease during pregnancy. Typically hyperthyroidism is treated with PTU during the first trimester of pregnancy and then switched to methimazole for the second and third trimesters. Hypothyroidism is treated with synthetic thyroid hormone called thyroxine. They also touch on the subject of postpartum thyroiditis which is an inflammation of the thyroid.
