The Effect of Pregnancy on Subsequent Relapse from Graves’ Disease after a Successful Course of Antithyroid Drug Therapy

Rotondi, Mario; Cappelli, Carlo; Pirali, Barbara; Pirola, Ilenia; Magri, Flavia; Fonte, R.; Castellano, Maurizio; Rosei, Enrico Agabiti; Chiovato, Luca

doi:10.1210/jc.2008-0966

Cited by 96 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Women with a past history of Graves' disease treated with ATDs or women who had a thyrotoxic phase in early pregnancy are at increased risk of developing (Graves') hyperthyroidism postpartum (120). In one study the overall relapse rate of Graves disease following a pregnancy was 84% as compared with a relapse rate of 56% in women who did not become pregnant (120). It should also be noted that an increased prevalence of de novo Graves' disease has been reported in the postpartum period (121), although this association has been questioned (122).…”

Section: And Recommendation 32mentioning

confidence: 99%

2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum

Alexander

Pearce

Brent

et al. 2017

Thyroid

1,903

2,716

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INTRODUCTION Pregnancy has a profound impact on the thyroid gland and thyroid function. The gland increases 10% in size during pregnancy in iodine-replete countries and by 20%-40% in areas of iodine deficiency. Production of thyroxine (T 4 ) and triiodothyronine (T 3 ) increases by 50%, along with a 50% increase in the daily iodine requirement. These physiological changes may result in hypothyroidism in the later stages of pregnancy in iodine-deficient women who were euthyroid in the first trimester. The range of thyrotropin (TSH), under the impact of placental human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), is decreased throughout pregnancy with the lower normal TSH level in the first trimester being poorly defined and an upper limit of 2.5 mIU/L. Ten percent to 20% of all pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy are thyroid peroxidase (TPO) or thyroglobulin (Tg) antibody positive and euthyroid. Sixteen percent of the women who are euthyroid and positive for TPO or Tg antibody in the first trimester will develop a TSH that exceeds 4.0 mIU/L by the third trimester, and 33%-50% of women who are positive for TPO or Tg antibody in the first trimester will develop postpartum thyroiditis. In essence, pregnancy is a stress test for the thyroid, resulting in hypothyroidism in women with limited thyroidal reserve or iodine deficiency, and postpartum thyroiditis in women with underlying Hashimoto's disease who were euthyroid prior to conception.Knowledge regarding the interaction between the thyroid and pregnancy/the postpartum period is advancing at a rapid pace. Only recently has a TSH of 2.5 mIU/L been accepted as the upper limit of normal for TSH in the first trimester. This has important implications in regards to interpretation of the literature as well as a critical impact for the clinical diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Although it is well accepted that overt hypothyroidism and overt hyperthyroidism have a deleterious impact on pregnancy, studies are now focusing on the potential impact of subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism on maternal and fetal health, the association between miscarriage and preterm delivery in euthyroid women positive for TPO and/or Tg antibody, and the prevalence and long-term impact of postpartum thyroiditis. Recently completed prospective randomized studies have begun to produce critically needed data on the impact of treating thyroid disease on the mother, fetus, and the future intellect of the unborn child.It is in this context that the American Thyroid Association (ATA) charged a task force with developing clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease during pregnancy and the postpartum. The task force consisted of international experts in the field of thyroid disease and pregnancy, and included representatives from the ATA, Asia and Oceania Thyroid Association, Latin American Thyroid Society, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Midwives Alliance of North America. Inclusion of thyroidologists, obstetricians, and midwives ...

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Section: And Recommendation 32mentioning

confidence: 99%

2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum

Alexander

Pearce

Brent

et al. 2017

Thyroid

1,903

2,716

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Relapse of the hyperthyroidism may occur during pregnancy, but this is not common. More frequently, recurrence of the hyperthyroidism may occur during the post partum period (4,5).…”

Section: Graves' Disease and Pregnancy In Various Combinationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of Graves' hyperthyroidism in pregnancy: focus on both maternal and foetal thyroid function, and caution against surgical thyroidectomy in pregnancy

Laurberg¹,

Bournaud²,

Karmisholt³

et al. 2009

European Journal of Endocrinology

158

102

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Graves' disease is a common autoimmune disorder in women in fertile ages. The hyperthyroidism is caused by generation of TSH-receptor activating antibodies. In pregnancy both the antibodies and the antithyroid medication given to the mother pass the placenta and affect the foetal thyroid gland. Thyroid function should be controlled not only in the mother with Graves' hyperthyroidism but also in her foetus. The review includes two cases illustrating some of the problems in managing Graves' disease in pregnancy.Major threats to optimal foetal thyroid function are inadequate or over aggressive antithyroid drug therapy of the mother. It should be taken into account that antithyroid drugs tend to block the foetal thyroid function more effectively than the maternal thyroid function, and that levothyroxin (L-T 4 ) given to the mother will have only a limited effect in the foetus.Surgical thyroidectomy of patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism does not lead to immediate remission of the autoimmune abnormality, and the combination thyroidectomyCwithdrawal of antithyroid medicationCL-T 4 replacement of the mother involves a high risk of foetal hyperthyroidism. Conclusion: Antithyroid drug therapy of pregnant women with Graves' hyperthyroidism should be balanced to control both maternal and foetal thyroid function. Surgical thyroidectomy of a pregnant woman with active disease may lead to isolated foetal hyperthyroidism.

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“…Typically, relapses tend to occur within the fi rst 6 months after drug discontinuation, but patients can relapse at any time. The postpartum period is a time when relapse is especially common [ 50 ].…”

Section: Relapse Of Hyperthyroidism After Atd Withdrawalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antithyroid Drug Therapy in Patients with Graves’ Disease

Laurberg

Cooper

2015

Graves' Disease

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The Effect of Pregnancy on Subsequent Relapse from Graves’ Disease after a Successful Course of Antithyroid Drug Therapy

Abstract: The PP period is significantly associated with a relapse of hyperthyroidism in GD patients being in remission after ATD. We therefore recommend that patients with GD in remission after a course of ATD should have their thyroid function tested at 3 and 6 months after delivery.

Cited by 96 publications

References 18 publications

2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum

2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum

Management of Graves' hyperthyroidism in pregnancy: focus on both maternal and foetal thyroid function, and caution against surgical thyroidectomy in pregnancy

Antithyroid Drug Therapy in Patients with Graves’ Disease

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