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Chapter 13 - Thyroid Dysfunction in Pregnancy and Postpartum

from Section II - Hormones and Gestational Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2022

By
Luigi Bartalena ,
Eliana Piantanida ,
Adriana Lai  and
Maria Laura Tanda
Edited by
Felice Petraglia ,
Mariarosaria Di Tommaso  and
Federico Mecacci
Felice Petraglia
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi, Florence
Mariarosaria Di Tommaso
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi, Florence
Federico Mecacci
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi, Florence
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Summary

Thyroid dysfunction is frequent in pregnancy. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may be overt or subclinical. The most frequent causes of hyperthyroidism are Graves’ disease and gestational transient thyroxicosis, while chronic autoimmune thyroiditis accounts for most cases of hypothyroidism in pregnancy. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, either overt or subclinical, may have negative consequences for the mother, the fetus/newborn, and the outcome of pregnancy. Accordingly, euthyroidism should be promptly restored and stably maintained, both in hyperthyroid pregnant women under antithyroid drug treatment and in hypothyroid pregnant women receiving levothyroxine replacement therapy. Whether a universal screening for thyroid function in women who are pregnant or are seeking pregnancy is still a matter of argument among scientific societies. After delivery postpartum thyroiditis may occur, which may be transient or result in permanent thyroid dysfunction.

Type
Chapter
Information
Hormones and Pregnancy
Basic Science and Clinical Implications
 , pp. 140 - 150
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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