Re: Re: New member...!!!! Safe maximum dose of PTU when pg.

Posted September 22, 2003 · September 22, 2003

i am interested in

> the fact that you say 300mg of ptu is safe in pregnancy... could you

> point me to any studies that confirm this?

Hi Kim. I changed the subject line so maybe you'll get an answer soon.

This has come up a few times over the past year and I most recently heard

this from (I think) Tori, who had a healthy baby with active Graves, and

I., a nurse who's taken PTU during pregnancy.

BTW, I guess I should have read your whole post first and addressed your

major concerns. I guess I just didn't want you to give up on ATDs and

wanted you to see how they can best work for you.

Active Graves is a difficult time to become pregnant. First of all,

there's the possibility of needing more than 300 mg. as a starting dose

(though often 300 is potent enough). Also, not all drs. are comfortable

with such a high dose during pregnancy. Second, there is also the

increased risk of miscarriage. I don't have numbers but there is a direct

link. That may not have been the cause in your case, but the heartbreak

and recuperation time necessary to try again (and dealing with everything

the hormonal upset of a miscarriage brings - that was the hardest thing

for me) are something to bear in mind too. Ideally, one would like to go

through a complete course of ATDs and be in remission for say, a half

year, before conceiving. At the very least it might be worth considering

waiting till you're on a lower dose of PTU, having made steady progress.

Pregnancy itself usually alleviates Graves too. I used to think I would

choose surgery were I in your situation but I think I would go this route

instead.

Surgery is also an option and is most commonly chosen by those who really

can't tolerate ATDs or women who don't want to wait to conceive. Caroline

from Australia chose this route and you may want to check the archives

under 2 1/2 - 3 years ago. She had a thyroidectomy at 39

and had 2 children in rapid succession.

Take care, Fay

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