scholarly journals Management of Graves’ Disease during Pregnancy: The Key Role of Fetal Thyroid Gland Monitoring

2005 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 6093-6098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Luton ◽  
Isabelle Le Gac ◽  
Edith Vuillard ◽  
Mireille Castanet ◽  
Jean Guibourdenche ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Fetuses from mothers with Graves’ disease may experience hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism due to transplacental transfer of antithyroid drugs (ATD) or anti-TSH receptor antibodies, respectively. Little is known about the fetal consequences. Early diagnosis is essential to successful management. We investigated a new approach to the fetal diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction and validated the usefulness of fetal thyroid ultrasonograms. Methods: Seventy-two mothers with past or present Graves’ disease and their fetuses were monitored monthly from 22 wk gestation. Fetal thyroid size and Doppler signals, and fetal bone maturation were determined on ultrasonograms, and thyroid function was evaluated at birth. Thyroid function and ATD dosage were monitored in the mothers. Results: The 31 fetuses whose mothers were anti-TSH receptor antibody negative and took no ATDs during late pregnancy had normal test results. Of the 41 other fetuses, 30 had normal test results at 32 wk, 29 were euthyroid at birth, and one had moderate hypothyroidism on cord blood tests. In the remaining 11 fetuses, goiter was visualized by ultrasonography at 32 wk, and fetal thyroid dysfunction was diagnosed and treated; there was one death, in a late referral, and 10 good outcomes with normal or slightly altered thyroid function at birth. The sensitivity and specificity of fetal thyroid ultrasound at 32 wk for the diagnosis of clinically relevant fetal thyroid dysfunction were 92 and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: In pregnant women with past or current Graves’ disease, ultrasonography of the fetal thyroid gland by an experienced ultrasonographer is an excellent diagnostic tool. This tool in conjunction with close teamwork among internists, endocrinologists, obstetricians, echographists, and pediatricians can ensure normal fetal thyroid function.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anca Maria Panaitescu

Graves’ disease (GD) is one of the most common autoimmune conditions in women of reproductive age. The disorder is characterized by the presence of pathogenic immunoglobulins that bind the TSH receptors (TRAbs) and stimulate the production of thyroid hormones leading to hyperthyroidism (the occurrence of inhibiting or neutral antibodies being rare). Affected individuals can be treated by radioiodine therapy, surgical removal of the gland or by antithyroid drugs (ATDs). Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins may persist for years after medical treatment, radioiodine therapy or surgical removal of the gland in those affected by GD and during pregnancy can cross the placenta and can act on the fetal thyroid gland resulting in the development of fetal and neonatal hyperthyroidism and sometimes to goiter. Antithyroid drugs used during pregnancy can also cross the placenta and may be teratogenic and act on the fetal thyroid gland, leading to fetal and neonatal hypothyroidism and goiter. This chapter will discuss specific aspects of GD during pregnancy and postpartum focusing on fetal and neonatal consequences related to this disorder.


Author(s):  
Mona Zvanca ◽  
Cristian Andrei ◽  
Radu Vladareanu

ABSTRACT Fetal neck is the site of important pathological changes, related to genetic, cardiovascular, lymphatic, endocrine systems. Among the main neck pathology are fetal hygroma, goiter, teratoma/sarcoma, hemangioma/lymphangioma. Posterior anomalies of the fetal neural tube, such as occipital myelomeningocele or iniencephaly may also be included in this area. Fetal hygroma is the main pathology, probably related to abnormal development of the lymphatic drainage system. There is a large spectrum of the disease, from enlarged nuchal translucency to generalized edema. Enlarged nuchal translucency is often associated with aneuploidy, particularly trisomy 21 and Turner syndrome (monosomy X). However, the pathophysiology is different for the two aneuploidies. On the diagnostic side, cystic hygromas consist of large single or multilocular fluid-filled cavities, which are usually easily identified during first trimester ultrasound examination. About one-third of euploid fetuses with first trimester septated cystic hygromas have major structural anomalies. In contrast, structural anomalies are detected in only 4 to 10% of euploid fetuses with enlarged nuchal translucency. Enlargement of fetal thyroid gland is accompanied by increased or decreased level of thyroid hormones (hyper or hypothyroidism), but the thyroid function may also be normal. The physiopathology of fetal and neonatal goiter is complex. Causes of fetal goiter include inborn errors of thyroid hormone production, transplacental passage of maternal antibodies, maternal ingestion of antithyroid drugs and other goitrogens, thyroid tumors. Detection of the fetal goiter is facilitated by the associated maternal history, present in most of the cases. By definition, goiter means enlargement of the thyroid gland above the 95th centile of the normal range. Reliable and objective data about fetal thyroid function involves an invasive testing. Teratomas are large mixed tumors arising from the neck region. Teratomas are cystic, semicystic or solid tumors. They develop from all three germ cell layers. Cervical teratomas are detected antenatally in most cases, as they are large size tumors. Hemangiomas and lymphangiomas are tumors derived from the endothelial tissue of blood vessels or lymphatic vessels. They may develop anywhere in the body, but in the antenatal life and the first years they show a predisposition for the head, neck and axillar area. Regarding the occipital encephalocele and iniencephaly, even though they represent major anomalies that affect he cervical and cephalic area, from a developmental point of view they are part of the neural tube defects spectrum and should be considered as such especially from a prognosis point of view. How to cite this article Vladareanu R, Zvanca M, Andrei C. Pathology of the Fetal Neck. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(1):55-65.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A927-A927
Author(s):  
Kasi Subbiah ◽  
Jesse Kumar ◽  
Siva Sivappriyan ◽  
Samantha Anandappa

Abstract A 26-year-old female presented with severe thyrotoxic symptoms 4 months post-partum following an uncomplicated pregnancy; investigations showed a FT4 39.4 pmol/L (n 12 – 22 pmol/L), FT3 8 pmol/L (n 3.1 – 6.8 pmol/L), FT4:FT3 ratio 4.9, TSH <0.02 mU/L (n 0.27 – 4.2 mU/L), TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) < 0.9 IU/L (n < 0.9 IU/L) with normal blood flow on ultrasound doppler and a low (0.2%) Tc99 uptake isotope scan suggesting thyroiditis. 2 years previously she had an episode of thyroiditis (investigations showed FT4 31.2 pmol/L, FT3 7 pmol/L, FT4:FT3 ratio 4.4, TSH <0.02 mU/L and imaging showed low (0.4%) Tc99 uptake) when on lithium 1gm/day for more than a year to treat bipolar disorder. On recurrence, despite compliant treatment with Propranolol and Prednisolone 30mg once daily, thyroid function deteriorated and 2 months later repeat thyroid function testing showed a FT4 > 100 pmol/L, FT3 30.2 pmol/L, FT4:FT3 ratio 3.3 and TSH < 0.02 mU/L. A repeat Tc99 uptake scan showed increased uptake at 13% and ultrasound showed a very vascular bulky thyroid gland. These investigations were suggestive of either a rebound hyperthyroidism (post-thyroiditis) or Graves’ disease. At this stage, TRAb titers were repeated and were now elevated at 4.5 IU/L therefore carbimazole 40mg daily was started. Due to the severity of symptoms, she underwent urgent thyroidectomy. Histopathology showed features of diffuse hyperplasia of the thyroid gland with variably sized follicles lined by cuboidal epithelial cells and a mild patchy chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate in the stroma. Post thyroidectomy she is stable on L-thyroxine therapy. Points for discussion: 1. Lithium is typically used as a mood stabilizer and as thyroid dysfunction is known to exacerbate mood disturbances it is vital that patients are appropriately screened, monitored and treatment is commenced promptly for thyroid disease. 2. Lithium can increase clinical manifestations of thyroid autoimmunity and may influence thyrotoxicosis either due to thyroiditis or Graves’ disease. Differentiating these etiologies is important from the treatment perspective. 3. FT4:FT3 ratios, TSH receptor antibodies, Tc99 uptake scans and ultrasound doppler of the thyroid will assist in diagnostic accuracy. However, in certain rare circumstances, during the recovery phase of thyroiditis, the Tc99 scan can demonstrate diffusely increased activity, which is representative of a rebound phenomenon thus posing a diagnostic dilemma. 4. Finally, TRAb titers may help differentiate the above, but sometimes may change from undetectable to high suggesting changes in thyroid autoimmunity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 40-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Volkova ◽  
O. D. Dygun ◽  
B. G. Lukichev ◽  
S. V. Dora ◽  
O. V. Galkina

Disturbance of the thyroid function is often detected in patients with different profiles. A special feature of patients with chronic kidney  disease is the higher incidence of various thyroid function  disturbances, especially hypothyroidism. It is known that in patients  with chronic kidney disease (CKD) iodine excretion from the body is  violated, since normally 90% of iodine is excreted in urine.  Accumulation of high concentrations of inorganic iodine leads to the  formation of the Wolf-Chaikoff effect: suppression of iodine  organization in the thyroid gland and disruption of the thyroid  hormones synthesis. Peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones is  also disturbed, namely, deiodinase type I activity is suppressed and  peripheral conversion of T4 into T3 is inhibited (so-called low T3  syndrome). Therefore, patients with CKD are often diagnosed with  hypothyroidism, and the origin of hypothyroidism is not always  associated with the outcome of autoimmune thyroiditis. The article  presents an overview of a large number of population studies of  thyroid gland dysfunction in patients with CKD, as well as  experimental data specifying the pathogenetic mechanisms of  thyroid dysfunction in patients with CKD. Therapeutic tactics are still  not regulated. However, in a number of studies, replacement therapy with thyroid hormones in patients with CKD had some advantages.


2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (04) ◽  
pp. 153-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Weber ◽  
W. Eschner ◽  
F. Sudbrock ◽  
M. Schmidt ◽  
M. Dietlein ◽  
...  

SummaryAim: This study was performed to analyse the impact of the choice of antithyroid drugs (ATD) on the outcome of ablative radioiodine therapy (RIT) in patients with Graves' disease. Patients, material, methods: A total of 571 consecutive patients were observed for 12 months after RIT between July 2001 and June 2004. Inclusion criteria were the confirmed diagnosis of Graves' disease, compensation of hyperthyroidism and withdrawal of ATD two days before preliminary radioiodine-testing and RIT. The intended dose of 250 Gy was calculated from the results of the radioiodine test and the therapeutically achieved dose was measured by serial uptake measurements. The end-point measure was thyroid function 12 months after RIT; success was defined as elimination of hyperthyroidism. The pretreatment ATD was retrospectively correlated with the results achieved. Results: Relief from hyperthyroidism was achieved in 96 % of patients. 472 patients were treated with carbimazole or methimazole (CMI) and 61 with propylthiouracil (PTU). 38 patients had no thyrostatic drugs (ND) prior to RIT. The success rate was equal in all groups (CMI 451/472; PTU 61/61; ND 37/38; p=0.22). Conclusion: Thyrostatic treatment with PTU achieves excellent results in ablative RIT, using an accurate dosimetric approach with an achieved post-therapeutic dose of more than 200 Gy.


Vestnik ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107-111
Author(s):  
С.И. Сабирова ◽  
С.Г. Надырова ◽  
А.Б. Жанзак ◽  
А.Е. Манасбаева ◽  
Ж.Ж. Нургалиева

Целью научной работы является изучение структуры заболеваний щитовидной железы у больных сахарным диабетом 1 типа. В данной статье мы ретроспективно проанализировали 972 историй болезни больных детей с СД 1 типа, находившихся на стационарном лечении в ДГКБ №2 г. Алматы (Казахстан) в период с 2014 по 2019 гг. Были изучены и оценены показатели физического развития, объективные данные (кожные покровы, ЧСС, АД, пальпация ЩЖ), лабораторно - уровней гормонов ТТГ, свТ4, свТ3, а/т к ТПО, а/т к ТГ в сыворотки крови, инструментально - УЗИ ЩЖ. Всего за 2014-2019 гг. через отделение эндокринологии ДГКБ №2 прошли 972 детей с диагнозом СД 1 типа. Большинство детей (382 человек, 79,9%) имели стаж болезни СД до 5 лет. 88 детей (18,5%) со стажем от 5 до 10 лет, 8 человек (1,7%) страдали СД более 10 лет. СД1 в основном был диагностирован в возрасте 7-12 лет (245-51,3%), меньше всего выявили СД 1 типа у детей до 3 лет (21 - 4,4%). Из общего количества пациентов с СД1 (972) было обследовано на функцию ЩЖ 478 детей (49,2%). Среди них было выявлено 319 детей с дисфункцией ЩЖ, что составляет 66,7%. Так, за 2014 год из 92 детей - 7 (7,6%), обследованных на функцию щитовидной железы, в результате чего было выявлено 6 (85,7%) детей с дисфункцией щитовидной железы. С каждым годом росло количество детей, которых направляли на обследование ЩЖ, так в сравнении с 2014 годом, когда из 92 детей - 7 (7,6%) были обследованы на функцию щитовидной железы, в 2019 году были обследованы уже 222 (92,1%) детей из 241. Симптомы как гиперфункции, так и гипофункции ЩЖ, особенно их субклинические варианты протекают под маской других заболевании и не сразу обнаруживаются, исходя из этого следует сразу обследовать на функцию ЩЖ при поступлении и в дальнейшим их наблюдать в динамике. В ходе исследования дисфункция щитовидной железы диагностирована у 319 (67,7%) пациентов, что должно привлечь внимание не только эндокринологов, но и врачей общей практики, педиатров и настроить их на прицельный поиск этой патологии и своевременную коррекцию гипотиреоза или другой патологии ЩЖ при его наличии The purpose of this research is to study the structure of thyroid diseases in patients with type 1 diabetes. In this article, we retrospectively analyzed 972 case histories of sick children with type 1 diabetes who were treated in the children's city clinical hospital No. 2 in Almaty (Kazakhstan) in the period from 2014 to 2019. Physical development indicators, objective data (skin, heart rate, blood pressure, thyroid palpation), laboratory levels of TSH, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, antibodies to thyroperoxidase, antibodies to thyroglobulin in blood serum, instrumental ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland were studied and evaluated. In total, in 2014-2019, 972 children with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus passed through the endocrinology Department of the children's city clinical hospital No. 2.The majority of children (382 people, 79.9%) had a history of diabetes up to 5 years. 88 children (18.5%) with experience from 5 to 10 years, 8 people (1.7%) had diabetes for more than 10 years. Type 1 diabetes was mainly diagnosed at the age of 7-12 years (245-51. 3%), the least detected type 1 diabetes in children under 3 years (21 - 4.4%). Out of the total number of patients with type 1 diabetes (972), 478 children (49.2%) were examined for thyroid function. Among them, 319 children with thyroid dysfunction were identified, which is 66.7%. So, in 2014, out of 92 children, 7 (7.6%) were examined for thyroid function, as a result of which 6 (85.7%) children had thyroid dysfunction. Every year, the number of children referred for thyroid examination increased, so compared to 2014, when out of 92 children - 7 (7.6%) were examined for thyroid function, in 2019, 222 (92.1%) children out of 241 were examined. Symptoms of both hyperfunction and hypofunction of the thyroid gland, especially their subclinical variants, occur under the guise of other diseases and are not immediately detected, so you should immediately investigate the function of the thyroid gland at admission and further observe them in dynamics. During the study, thyroid dysfunction was diagnosed in 319 (67.7%) patients, which should attract the attention of not only endocrinologists, but also General practitioners, pediatricians and set them up for a targeted search for this pathology and timely correction of hypothyroidism or other thyroid pathology if it is present.


Author(s):  
Nami Suzuki ◽  
Akiko Kawaguchi ◽  
Jaeduk Yoshimura Noh ◽  
Ran Yoshimura ◽  
Kentaro Mikura ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody (TRAb) is detected in the serum of patients with Graves’ disease (GD). This study aims to investigate the prevalence of euthyroid individuals showing positive results for TRAb and to clarify the clinical course of thyroid function and TRAb levels in these subjects. Objective Subjects were female patients who newly visited our hospital for a screening test prior to fertility treatment and showed normal thyroid function and volume without nodules between 2014 and 2017. After excluding subjects with a history of thyroid disease, 5,622 subjects were analyzed. Results Forty-seven of the 5,622 subjects showed positive results for TRAb (reference range, < 2.0 IU/L) at the initial visit. Median initial TRAb was 2.9 IU/L (range, 2.0 -14.7 IU/L) and median follow-up was 18.3 months (range, 0- 66.5 months). Six of the 47 subjects (12.8%) developed GD and median duration until development was 6.6 months (range, 1.2 -13.2 months). Median TRAb values initially and at diagnosisof GD for those 6 patients were 3.7 IU/L (range, 2.7 -5.1 IU/L) and 7.2 IU/L (range 3.6 -21.4 IU/L), respectively. TRAb results turned negative for 20 of the 47 subjects, but remained positive despite normal thyroid function in 13 of the 47 subjects. Conclusion GD developed over time in 12.8% of euthyroid young female patients showing positive TRAb within a median of 6.6 months. A positive result for TRAb itself did not mean development of GD, so other factors must be essential for the pathogenesis of GD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Sara Lomelino Pinheiro ◽  
Inês Damásio ◽  
Ana Figueiredo ◽  
Tiago Nunes da Silva ◽  
Valeriano Leite

Background. Mediastinal thyroid carcinoma is extremely rare, with few cases reported in the literature. Case Report. A 73-year-old man presented with weight loss for 6 months. Imaging by computed tomography (CT) documented a large mediastinal mass below the thyroid gland and pulmonary metastases. Neck ultrasound found two spongiform nodules in the right thyroid lobe, and fine-needle aspiration citology (FNAC) of these nodules revealed they are benign. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the mediastinal mass was compatible with papillary thyroid cancer. A few weeks later, the patient developed overt hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease, which was treated with antithyroid drugs. 99mPertechnetate scintigraphy showed increased diffuse uptake in the thyroid parenchyma but the absence of uptake in the paratracheal mass and in the lung nodules. The patient was not considered eligible for surgical intervention or therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitor due to tracheal and mediastinal vessel invasion and was treated with palliative radiotherapy. Two months later, restaging PET-FDG showed an intense uptake in the right lobe of the thyroid gland, lymph nodes, lungs, bone, muscle, myocardial, kidney, and adrenal gland. Conclusion. In this case, thyroid carcinoma presented as a mediastinal mass with concurrent hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease. Although uncommon, the clinicians should be aware of these situations. Obtaining a prompt histological examination of an intrathoracic mass is crucial to ensure an early diagnosis and treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 184 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-440
Author(s):  
Hassina Benlarbi ◽  
Dominique Simon ◽  
Jonathan Rosenblatt ◽  
Cecile Dumaine ◽  
Nicolas de Roux ◽  
...  

Objective Neonatal hyperthyroidism may be caused by a permanent non-autoimmune genetic disorder or, more frequently, by maternally transmitted high serum TRAb levels. Variable thyroid dysfunction may be observed in this second context. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of neonatal non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism and of the different types of thyroid function in neonates with a high risk of hyperthyroidism due to maternal Graves’ disease (GD). Design and methods This observational cohort study included all neonates identified in the database of a single academic pediatric care center, over a period of 13 years, as having non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism or an autoimmune disorder with high TRAb levels (above 6 IU/L) transmitted by their mothers. Patients were classified as having neonatal hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or euthyroidism with a permanent or transient disorder. Results Two of the 34 consecutive neonates selected (6%) had permanent non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism due to germline (n = 1) or somatic (n = 1) mutations of the TSH receptor gene. The patients with high serum TRAb levels at birth had transient hyperthyroidism (n = 23), hypothyroidism (primary n = 2, central n = 3) or persistent euthyroidism (n = 4). Conclusion These original findings highlight the need for careful and appropriate monitoring of thyroid function in the long term, not only for the rare patients with non-autoimmune neonatal hyperthyroidism, but also for repeat monitoring during the first month of life in neonates with maternally transmitted high TRAb levels, to ensure the early identification of thyrotoxicosis in more than two thirds of cases and to detect primary or central hypothyroidism, thereby potentially decreasing associated morbidity.


1983 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per Anders Dahlberg ◽  
Rolf Jansson

Abstract. During a 4 year period 19 women with post-partum onset of thyroid dysfunction have been seen in our clinic. Five women had high radioiodine uptake thyrotoxicosis (Graves' disease). Twelve women had hypothyroid symptoms starting within 3–6 months of delivery. All of these women had thyroid microsomal and/or cytoplasmic autoantibodies and thyroid lymphocytic infiltration suggesting aggravation of pre-existing subclinical autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease). At follow-up thyroid function gradually improved in all but signs of persistent thyroid hypofunction remained in seven. Thus women developing symptomatic postpartum hypothyroidism should be followed regularly and when thyroxine treatment is commenced in the post-partum period, it has to be continued indefinitely in many cases. Two women presented with transient low radioiodine uptake thyrotoxicosis and a small painless goitre. Thyroid cytology revealed thyroiditis but they had no thyroid autoantibodies. When followed after a succeeding delivery none of these women developed post-partum thyroid dysfunction in contrast to women in the autoimmune group. Probably the aetiology of thyroid dysfunction in these 2 women was different.


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