
©Pregnancy bliss 2008



Graves disease behaves like any other form of hyperthyroidism. More specific features include
There are two main types of medication that can be used in pregnancy. Both are considered safe.
Propylthiouracil (PTU) is preferred in North America and Carbimazole (Neo-
Evidence shows that in optimal doses, these two drugs are quite safe for the baby.
Radioactive iodine is one of the treament options in a non-
Surgery is an option. If medical treatment fails to control the hyperthyroidism, then partial resection of the thyroid gland may be undertaken. This is normally only considered after twenty weeks of gestation. It is unusual to resort to this treatment method during pregnancy.
In cases where the hyperthyroidism was due to Graves' disease, there is still a risk that the baby will be affected, regardless of the level of control in the mother. At least 1 in 10 such babies are born with Graves' disease because of passage of the antibodies from mother to baby across the placenta.
The drugs suppress the production of the hormone but do not eliminate the rogue antibodies. However, the condition in the baby will be transient.

The ‘staring eyes’ (exophthalmos) affecting one or, more commonly, both eyes, is a specific feature of Graves’ disease, the commonest thyroid disease seen in pregnancy