Pregnancy does not spare you from developing other thyroid problems such as nodules, goiters, and cancer. For more specific information about these conditions, see Chapters 10 and 11. But pregnancy does make diagnosis and treatment much more challenging. For instance, while you can still have an FNA on a nodule, you should not have an RAIU and scan while you are pregnant.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend a wait-and-see approach to see if your thyroid problem worsens, with the hopes of delaying treatment such as surgery until after you've delivered. In other cases, however, waiting is not an option. Finding a cancerous nodule that is large and painful, for instance, may require immediate surgery regardless of your pregnancy. Each case must be handled individually.

To ensure the best possible outcome, seek out an endocrinologist and/or surgeon who has had training, education, and experience in dealing with these special circumstances. Travel the distance if you must to locate a physician in a major metropolitan hospital if you don't have one nearby. The health and well-being of you and your unborn child are at stake, and finding the best care is essential.