Hypothyroidism during pregnancy: Controversy over screening and intervention

Table 1 Risk factors for thyroid disease defined by the endocrine society[20]

Women over the age of 30

Family history of autoimmune thyroid illness or hypofunction

Women with thyroid swelling

Women with thyroid antibodies (mainly TPO)

Symptoms or signs indicative of hypothyroidism

Women with T1DM, or with any autoimmune diseases

Women with previous history of abortion and premature birth

Women with history of previous head or neck radiation or thyroidectomy

Women on thyroid hormones replacement therapy

Women living in a geographical area lacking iodine

TPO: Thyroid peroxidase.

Table 2 Wilson and Jungner criteria for disease screening[54]

The condition sought should be an important health problem

There should be an accepted treatment for patients with recognised disease

Facilities for diagnosis and treatment should be available

There should be a latent or early symptomatic stage

There should be a suitable test or examination

The test should be acceptable to the population

The natural history of the condition should be adequately understood

There should be an agreed policy on who to treat as patients

The cost of case finding should be cost-effective

Case finding should be a continuing process and not a “once and for all” project