Thyroid disease in pregnancy.

It is frequently difficult to establish a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in association with pregnancy. Signs and symptoms suggestive of hyperthyroidism may occur in normal pregnancy. Moreover, tests to rule out hyperthyroidism under these conditions are not readily available. Mild hyperthyroidism is not a hazard to an otherwise normal pregnancy and does not require therapy on the basis of this presumption. Hyperthyroidism of a clinically significant degree is safely treatable by medical means without hazard to the fetus. Hyperthyroidism is an uncommon cause for the failure of pregnancy to proceed to term. Treatment with thyroid based on a presumption of this diagnosis is justified, but such patients should be studied carefully after delivery to establish the true state of thyroid function for the future. Other conditions of thyroid dysfunction, including thyroiditis, thyroid carcinoma, nontoxic goiter, and ovarian struma rarely interfere with an otherwise normal pregnancy.