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Updated: May 16, 2026
07:36
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Thyroid disease in the perinatal period
1Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia. forehan@gmail.com
Australian Family Physician
|November 13, 2012
Summary
Pregnant women need more iodine for fetal development. This review covers thyroid changes, iodine needs, and managing thyroid conditions during pregnancy for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Thyroid hormone is essential for fetal development.
- Pregnancy increases maternal thyroid hormone synthesis and iodine requirements.
- Thyroid dysfunction affects 2-3% of pregnant women.
Purpose of the Study:
- Outline thyroid physiology changes in pregnancy.
- Detail iodine requirements during gestation.
- Discuss thyroid function tests, detection, and management of thyroid conditions in pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of thyroid physiology in pregnancy.
- Analysis of iodine requirements and thyroid function tests.
- Synthesis of current guidelines for managing thyroid disorders in pregnancy.
Main Results:
- Pregnancy necessitates adjusted thyroid function test reference ranges.
- Overt maternal hypothyroidism requires immediate thyroxine treatment.
- Thyroxine is effective for TPO-antibody positive subclinical hypothyroidism.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy-specific reference ranges are crucial for diagnosing and treating thyroid conditions.
- Maternal hypothyroidism is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Gestational thyrotoxicosis and postpartum thyroiditis require careful diagnosis and management.
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