Endocrine disorders in pregnancy

Abstract

Endocrine disorders are common in women of childbearing age and are therefore commonly encountered in pregnancy. Physiological adaptions of the endocrine system are essential to meet the demands of pregnancy. Women with pre-existing endocrine disorders require control of their underlying condition to undergo a healthy pregnancy. The clinician must understand the effects that endocrine disorders have on pregnancy, the effects of pregnancy on endocrine physiology and the safety of relevant investigations and medications. In most cases it is appropriate to discuss the management of pre-existing endocrine disorders in pregnancy with the patient during the pre-conception period. Endocrine diseases can present de novo in pregnancy or postpartum, representing a diagnostic challenge, as many symptoms of endocrine diseases overlap with pregnancy symptoms and investigations should be interpreted with consideration of the physiological changes of pregnancy.