Thyroid disorders in pregnancy
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model
Published on: March 17, 2023
Dorota A Krajewski1, Kenneth D Burman
1Section of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
Abstract:
Maternal hypothyroidism, thyroid antibody positivity, and hyperthyroidism may pose significant risks in terms of pregnancy complications and fetal adverse effects. Treatment of hyperthyroidism with thionamides remains the standard of care during pregnancy. Radioiodine use is contraindicated in pregnancy, including in the treatment of thyroid carcinoma, because of the risk of fetal hypothyroidism, subsequent cognitive impairment, and even fetal death. Normal thyroid function during pregnancy is essential to ensure delivery, to the best extent possible, of a healthy baby, which may be achieved with frequent monitoring of thyroid function during gestation and cautious adjustment of medications during treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
Graves' Disease I: Introduction
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...