Influences of thyroid diseases in diabetic pregnant women

Thyroid disorders are particularly frequent in women and, second to diabetes mellitus, are the most common endocrine diseases during pregnancy. An association between insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and thyroid autoimmunity has long been recognized. Management of thyroid diseases in pregnancy is different than in non pregnant women, due to physiological changes of thyroid hormone economy in the childbearing period. Thyroid dysfunction may affect carbohydrate metabolism and worsen glucose control in diabetic patients. On the other hand, poorly compensated diabetes mellitus may cause alteration in the production and metabolism of thyroid hormones. Pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of developing post partum thyroiditis. These observations have lead to the recommendation that thyroid function should be checked in diabetic women during pregnancy and in the post partum.