Endocrinologists Are Failing to Lead in Protecting Pregnant Women From Thyroid Complications, Says Thyroid Journal Editor

"You cannot sit on the fence forever," says Dr. Terry Davies, editor of the journal Thyroid, in a strongly-worded editorial questioning what he calls the "confusion reigning supreme" among the endocrine groups, led by the Endocrine Society, regarding their new guidelines for thyroid disease in pregnancy. The guidelines do not recommend screening of all pregnant women for thyroid disease. Instead, they suggest what Dr. Davies calls "case finding," meaning that doctors selectively test pregnant women for thyroid disease, based on symptoms or history.

Davies makes it clear that he doesn't understand why doctors won't recommend universal screening of pregnant women, given that 30 percent of women are being missed by "case-finding." And the dangers to the pregnancy of untreated thyroid disease are significant. Davies suggests that in creating what amount to wishy-washy guidelines, the endocrinology community is failing to lead.

Says Davies: "I doubt a single physician present at the Endocrine Society presentation would fail to screen a pregnant woman for thyroid disease. And that means that every obstetrician should be doing the same thing and we should be offering this advice."

I agree, and I'm glad to see one of their own calling the endocrinologists on the carpet for again failing to recommend what seems to be simple common sense advice to the patient community. Now, maybe Davies can tackle the issue of the docs who are still fighting the TSH Reference Range Wars. But in the meantime, read Dr. Davies editorial.