BOF15
A 32-year-old female presents with a history of tremor and
heat intolerance of 3 months duration. She has lost weight and felt more tired
than usual. Her periods were regular. She had episodes where she felt her heart
racing. No serious past illnesses. There was family history of hypothyroidism.
She smokes 10 cigarettes a day and takes alcohol occasionally. On examination
she was thin, had a fine tremor of her hands pulse 110 beats per minute sinus
rhythm. She had diffuse enlargement of her thyroid gland but had no eye signs.
Reflexes were symmetrical and brisk.
After being told the diagnosis she says she is planning to
become pregnant and asks what effect pregnancy would have on this condition.
Your reply would be that this condition:
a)
Improves during pregnancy but relapses in the puerperium
b)
Improves during pregnancy and the puerperium
c)
Deteriorates during pregnancy but improves during the puerperium
d)
Deteriorates during pregnancy and the puerperium
e)
Pregnancy has no effect on the condition
Answer:
a)
Like most autoimmune conditions Grave’s disease often
enters remission during pregnancy but relapses during the puerperium.
Last Updated: 19/02/06
