Hyperthyroidism and pregnancy

Pregnancy can change symptoms and thyroid test results, while untreated thyroid overactivity can place strain on the body. Possible features include palpitations, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, anxiety, sleep difficulty, diarrhoea and tremor. These symptoms can have other explanations in pregnancy, so they do not establish the diagnosis by themselves.

Your clinician may review previous thyroid disease, medicines and pregnancy history, examine you and arrange blood tests. The timing of pregnancy and the test pattern help determine whether monitoring, medicine or specialist review is needed.

Tell your maternity or thyroid care team promptly if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or think you may be pregnant while being treated for hyperthyroidism. Take medicines exactly as prescribed and do not stop, switch or add iodine-containing products without advice.

Keep appointments for blood tests and record palpitations, heat intolerance, vomiting, diarrhoea and changes in how you feel. Ask which prenatal supplements are suitable for you. An endocrinology and maternity team can adjust care as pregnancy progresses.

Seek urgent help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or a high temperature with worsening shaking or agitation. Contact your maternity team promptly if vomiting or diarrhoea prevents fluids, or you feel suddenly much weaker.

Ask how often thyroid tests are needed, which medicines and doses are appropriate at your stage of pregnancy, how symptoms will be monitored, and whom to contact outside routine appointments.