Concieving While Having Grave's Disease

She needs to find a new doctor!!! I have had hypothyroidism, and grave's for 12 years!!! I also have two beautiful children. My daughter I just had 4wks ago was even conceived while on birth control. As long as she takes her meds everyday (even after pregnant), she will be just fine. Both my girls (one 8, and one 4wks) are very healthy and happy girls.
I live in Michigan so I can't help with a Dr., but good luck. Message me anytime if you have any questions about thyroid or grave's, I've heard it all.

Hi R.,

Women give birth with Grave's disease often. I agree with Jen that she probably needs to find a new OB, PLUS I think she needs to consult with an ND as well. You'll have to research it in the Chicago area as I'm near Atlanta but if you like I can give you and name and number of a good one here, that might know someone comparable in Chicago.

Grave's disease is an autoimmune disorder and, although serious, it can be helped by building the immune system. Medical doctors don't normally try to strengthen the immune system because that is not their area of expertise. NDs work with this every day and have wonderful results.

God bless,

M.

The first question is whether or not she's being seen by an endocrinologist or not. If NO, she needs to see an endocrinologist immediately. Family Practitioners and Internists may be able to make the diagnosis but are rarely trained enough in the endocrine system.

The HMO will dictate which Endocrinologist she sees, so she'll have to verify through her plan who is accepting new patients locally.

Mayo Clinic's website doesn't mention not having children, but it's a brief overview.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/graves-disease/DS00181

Here's some information from the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists of the importance of Thyroid health during pregnancy:
http://www.aace.com/fellows/fit09/docs09/Thyroid/Pregnanc...

Here's what the search of "graves" and "pregnancy" pulled from AACE's website - not helpful, so I'd definitely recommend a conversation with 1 if not a couple of endocrinologists:
http://www.aace.com/googlesearch.php?cx=00951471236885549...

Good luck to her.

I didn't even know what Graves Disease was until I searched it online and from what I have read it sounds as if she can get pregnant but as with ANY pregnancy there are risk but it looks as though as long as she has been "treated" prior to conceiving then the risk may not be as high.
There was indications to mental instability with the disease and I think I read in there you have an increased risk of miscarriage and birth defects but it wouldn't be impossible for her to do this. She needs to find a great physician, endocrinologist, and OB-Gyn that will all be willing to help her and the baby along together.
How inconsiderate and uncompassionate this current doctor of hers is....I mean I know he most likely suggested she NOT get pregnant because of the risk involved however if everyone paid attention to that rule then I guess there would be a lot of people out there without kids.
This is going to have to be a decision based upon your cousin and knowledge is power so have her do her research on the subject, find some really good doctors, and ask plenty of questions to get answers. I live in Georgia so I cannot really suggest a doctor perhaps another poster will have more information for you on that. If she decides to go forward with pregnancy it's not going to be an easy one but then again you never know she could have a very healthy pregnancy but she is going to have to be the one to decide whether she wants to chance it. This is a link that seemed to be helpful:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/preghyper.htm