Graves disease and Pregnant

[FindaPenny]

Hi everyone. My sil has been suffering from Graves Disease for a year or so. She is currently 10 weeks pregnant and has been told that the baby could suffer birth defects.

She had been taking medicene before her pregnancy for her graves disease, but stopped when she learnt she was pregnant as was told the medicene could cause birth defects.

She has now been told to take thyrocil also known as propylthiouracil and on the doctors notes it says they should pay attention to fetal tachycardia.

If anyone can give me some info about what she could expect during her pregnancy or possible courses of treatment I would be very grateful. She is from a country where its not always possible to seek the best treatments for situations like this, so any info would be appreciated and would help us understand possible outcomes.

I have severe graves disesase (I had a thyroid storm a year ago and spent four months in hospital). I was on propylthiouracil but they had to change it to clonazepam for the second trimester as it's safer. Nobody has mentioned anything about birth defects to me despite extensive talks with various consultants including endocrinologists and obstetricians. Taking thyroid meds in pregnancy is often safer than not taking them so get lots of advice, don't be afraid to ask questions and try to relax.

Thanks so much for the reply. Unfortunately my sil comes from a country where the health care is generally terrible even if you are willing to pay.... Doctors don't give you very much chance to discuss your care, it's a case of what they say goes.

I think she was told the medicene she was taking before she got pregnant could cause defects. Again thanks so much for replying. It's good to know so far that her medication seems to be the right one. Lots of luck to you in your pregnancy x

I have graves and currently 7.5months pregnant. When I found out my medication was changed to PTU. I also have regular ante natal endocrine consultant appointments to check antibody and thyroid levels. Touch wood all has been fine

Thanks so much for the reply. Has anyone experienced bleeding during the pregnancy?

Not in this pregnancy. But previous one I had a haematoma in the first trimester