Maternal hyperthyoridism can pose problems during pregnancy but usually medication is sufficient to keep the problem in check until definitive treatment can be undertaken after pregnancy. Definitive treatment such as surgical removal of a portion or all of the thyroid is usually postponed for pregnant women because of the increased amount of blood loss expected with this surgery during pregnancy. Another treatment, radioactive iodine, is never given to pregnant women because it would also destroy the fetal thyroid gland.

For hyperthyroid mothers who do not receive treatment or whose metabolic state cannot be controlled with treatment, the incidence heart failure, pre-eclampsia, and fetal demise are increased. Fortunately, the vast majority of expectant mothers can be controlled with medication, typically with propylthioruacil and methimazole.

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