A 33-year-old woman at 12 weeks of gestation attends the GP for booking. She has a history of Graves' disease in remission following radioiodine ablat...

Question

A 33-year-old woman at 12 weeks of gestation attends the GP for booking. She has a history of Graves' disease in remission following radioiodine ablation 3 years ago. She is on levothyroxine 125 mcg daily and is currently euthyroid. She asks whether her previous Graves' disease poses any risk to the pregnancy. Which is the single most important consideration?

Accepted Answer

TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) may still be present and can cross the placenta, causing fetal or neonatal thyrotoxicosis - TRAb levels should be checked

Answer

No risk - radioiodine treatment cures Graves' disease completely

Answer

She should stop levothyroxine as it is harmful to the fetus

Answer

She needs repeat radioiodine treatment during pregnancy

Answer

Graves' disease never recurs after ablation

uk-drcog MCQ (SBA): Previous Graves' Disease - TRAb Persistence Risk