Risks to mother, fetus and neonate from untreated Graves' hyperthyroidism during gestation are compelling reasons for recommending pre-conception counselling. Pre-conception counselling should include discussion as to the optimum treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism in women wishing to become pregnant. Thyrotropin receptor antibodies remain elevated following radioiodine therapy, so medical or surgical treatment may be preferred to avoid fetal or neonatal hyperthyroidism. A TSH level <2.5 mIU/l must be achieved in women receiving LT4 before conception. The patient should be reassured that both she and the fetus can be maintained in a euthyroid state and that neonatal hyperthyroidism can be readily managed with a good outcome. The risks of antithyroid drug therapy during gestation should be fully discussed with emphasis on the very low risk (although real) of liver disease with propylthiouracil treatment and embryopathy with methimazole or carbimazole therapy. While propylthiouracil is the preferred drug for the first trimester, if it is not available other thionamides may be given. Breast-feeding while on antithyroid drugs is not contraindicated provided the dose of drug is low. The patient should also be advised of the importance of thyroid monitoring in the post-partum period.
Keywords: Counselling; Graves' disease; Iodine; Lactation; Pre-conception; Pregnancy; Radioiodine; Surgery; Thionamides.