What should you know about hyperthyroidism in pregnancy?

Hyperthyroidism means the thyroid produces more hormone than the body needs. Most people with hyperthyroidism notice symptoms such as palpitations, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, feeling anxious, difficulty sleeping, diarrhoea, or night sweats, although pregnancy itself can overlap with some of these experiences.

When thyroid activity remains high, it can place extra strain on the heart and affect general wellbeing. Uncontrolled disease may also affect pregnancy progress and fetal growth. These possibilities do not mean a complication will occur; they explain why antenatal and thyroid care are planned together.

Tell your maternity team or GP if you have symptoms, a history of thyroid disease, or are taking thyroid medicine. They can arrange blood tests at suitable intervals and adjust treatment to balance control of your thyroid with medication safety for the pregnancy.

Take prescribed medicine exactly as directed and do not stop it suddenly. Keep a record of palpitations, sleep changes, sweating, bowel changes, and any new symptoms. Your clinician may coordinate care with an endocrinology or obstetric team, depending on your results and stage of pregnancy.

Seek urgent care for severe or persistent palpitations, chest pain, fainting, marked breathlessness, confusion, high fever, or vomiting that prevents you keeping medicine down. Contact your maternity service promptly for reduced fetal movement, vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or any concern about your pregnancy.

Ask how often your thyroid levels will be checked, what symptoms suggest that treatment needs review, how medicines are timed with pregnancy care, and which team should receive your results.