[Guideline Summary] Summary of An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

Background:

Appropriate iodine intake during pregnancy is important for both maternal health and fetal development. The Endocrine Society has updated the guidelines for management of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and postpartum in 2012. It also gives advices on iodine nutrition during pregnancy.
 

Summary of Iodine Nutrition During Pregnancy:

How much should be consumed?

• Women in the childbearing age - 150 mcg/day
• Women before pregnancy and during pregnancy and breastfeeding – 250 mcg/day

Special recommendations:

• Women planning to get pregnant
  - Ideally, supplementation should start before conception
• Pregnant women
  - Once daily prenatal vitamins containing 150 to 200 mcg iodine (in form of potassium iodide or iodate)
       - Help protect all pregnant women taking prenatal vitamins from iodine deficiency
• Breastfeeding women
  - Should maintain a daily intake of 250 mcg
       - Ensure human milk provide 100 mcg/day iodine to baby

Screening for iodine insufficiency:

• NOT recommended as a part of normal clinical practice
• Assessment of iodine intake can be done by measuring urinary iodine concentration (UIC)
   - Ideal UIC – 150 to 250 mcg/L
• For cases with significant concerns, caregivers should assay thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormone level

Link to PubMed

Reference

De Groot L, Abalovich M, Alexander EK, Amino N, Barbour L, Cobin RH, Eastman CJ, Lazarus JH, Luton D, Mandel SJ, Mestman J, Rovet J, Sullivan S. Management of Thyroid Dysfunction during Pregnancy and Postpartum: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Aug;97(8):2543-65.

WYE-EM-004-JAN-15