A Cochrane review has concluded that treating subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy probably has some benefits, but the evidence is not strong enough to justify screening thyroid function in all pregnant women.
An Adelaide group led by Dr Sally Reid said that levothyroxine treatment of clinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy was already standard practice given the documented benefits from earlier non-randomised studies, but the situation was less clear for subclinical hypothyroidism.
They identified only three randomised controlled trials on the topic, involving 314 women. The first, in 115 women, compared levothyroxine with placebo in euthyroid women who had thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Active treatment significantly reduced preterm birth by 72% and there was a trend to fewer miscarriages, but no effect on pre-eclampsia....
This site is intended for Registered Medical Practitioners.
To make the most of Endocrinology Update, you need to be logged in.