Hyperthyroidism during Pregnancy

CONCEPTION rarely occurs in patients with untreated hyperthyroidism.1 However, when it does, the pregnancy usually terminates in spontaneous abortion. In rare cases that progress beyond twenty weeks, there is often premature labor, with a high incidence of fetal death.2 Physiologic regulation of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is thus a prime consideration to the welfare of both mother and fetus. Subtotal thyroidectomy after careful preoperative preparation is effective but imposes an unnecessary risk during pregnancy. Hyperthyroidism can be readily controlled by appropriate use of antithyroid preparations, so that the disease usually poses no significant threat to the mother.3 However, inadequate or excessive . . .