Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy

Abstract

Hypothyroidism in pregnancy remains an important endocrinological problem. The prevalence is on a rising trend. Hypothyroidism can be overt or subclinical. Overt hypothyroidism may either be detected as a new entity during screening or can complicate pregnancy in an already diagnosed hypothyroid patient. Overt hypothyroidism carries a significant risk of adverse foetal-maternal outcomes if not treated early. On the other hand, subclinical hypothyroidism remains a matter of debate, particularly at a lower range of TSH values. The foetal-maternal outcomes are inconsistent across studies, with miscarriage being the most reported adverse outcome. However, treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism requires an individualised approach and consideration of other factors, including autoimmunity. Thus, we describe the intricate relationship between pregnancy and hypothyroidism (both overt and subclinical) to facilitate a clear and concise, evidence-based outlook. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.