Propylthiouracil and fertility/pregnancy

[CBrown235]

Can I get pregnant while taking propylthiouracil, should birth control precautions be taken while on propylthiouracil, what dangers could occur to mother and child for a mother who has hyperthyroidism and is taking propylthiouracil and unexpectedly becomes pregnant after beginning prescription treatment of propylthiouracil (I am over 40 and not desiring any further pregnancies)?

[Weezer9611]

I'm now 8 weeks pregnant and I was just diagnosed with Hashimoto's about a week prior to finding out I was pregnant. I told my obgyn, he noted my medication and told me to see my endocrinologist who said I need the levoxyl now more then ever.
I don't know what Propylthiouracil is, but I'm assuming it's a hormone replacement of some sort.
Good luck!!

[erlr]

I am wondering if anyone knows any info on getting pregnant while on PTU? My endocronologist told me it was safe. However, when I told my OB/GYN my plans to concieve she said not while I am on the medication.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

PTU may actually improve fertility reproductive aged Graves patients, so YES, you can get pregnant.  Once a Graves Patient is pregnant, we monitor thryoid closely and if necessary treat with medication - and PTU is the medication of choice.  We use the lowest possible dose to keep your thyrid levels at the high end of normal.  PTU crosses the placenta so a fetal goiter may rarely occur.  Also would check TSI blood test late 2nd trimester to help determine the probability of fetus getting neonatal graves.  

If you are not desiring pregnancies, you should take precautions -- by no means is PTU a BCP!