HealthDay News — A task force of The Endocrine Society has reviewed the evidence and updated guidelines for the management of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and the postpartum period, according to an article published in the Aug. 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Leslie de Groot, M.D., from the University of Rhode Island in Providence, and colleagues reviewed the evidence and updated the 2007 Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline for the management of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and postpartum.
The task force presents practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with thyroid-related medical issues just before, during, and after pregnancy. Updated guidance is offered for assessing the cause of the condition, appropriate treatment, management of pregnant women with known or undisclosed thyroid conditions, and screening for thyroid disease. Management is discussed for hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, gestational hyperthyroidism, thyroid autoimmunity, thyroid tumors, iodine nutrition, and postpartum thyroiditis.
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“Pregnancy may affect the course of thyroid diseases and conversely, thyroid diseases may affect the course of pregnancy,” De Groot said in a statement. “Pregnant women may be under the care of multiple health-care professionals, including obstetricians, nurse midwives, family practitioners, and endocrinologists, making the development of guidelines all the more critical.”
