Postpartum Thyroiditis
What is Postpartum Thyroiditis?
Postpartum thyroiditis is a rare condition where your thyroid gland becomes inflamed within the first year after pregnancy. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the lower front of your neck that releases hormones that control essential body processes and your metabolism.
Phases of Postpartum Thyroiditis
Phase One: The thyroid produces and releases too many hormones resulting in hyperthyroidism. This usually occurs between one to six months postpartum.
Phase Two: Your thyroid doesn’t produce or release enough hormones resulting in hypothyroidism. This usually occurs between four to eight months postpartum.
Phase Three: Your thyroid begins to function normally.
Not everyone experiences the phases in order and in rare cases some women stay in the hypothyroid phase. This would require pharmacological management.
Prevalence of Postpartum Thyroiditis
5-10% of women will experience postpartum thyroiditis in the first year after giving birth, an abortion, or miscarriage.
Symptoms of Postpartum Thyroiditis
Phase One - Hyperthyroidism
Anxiety
Hair loss
Unexplained weight loss
Tachycardia
Hypersensitivity to heat
Phase Two - Hypothyroidism
Fatigue
Weight gain
Depression
Dry skin
Constipation
Muscle pain
Decrease in milk supply if lactating
Hypersensitivity to cold
What causes Postpartum Thyroiditis?
This condition involves anti-thyroid antibodies attacking your thyroid. There is still more research needed to find why pregnancy can trigger the antibodies to attack but a common theory is that women who experience postpartum thyroiditis likely have an undiagnosed autoimmune disorder.
Who’s at a greater risk to develop Postpartum Thyroiditis?
If you’ve had postpartum thyroiditis previously
Type I diabetics
If you have a personal or family history of thyroid disease
If you’ve had anti-thyroid antibodies prior to pregnancy
How is Postpartum Thyroiditis diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will do a thorough assessment and order blood work to determine your thyroid levels (T3, T4, or TSH).
How is it treated?
Most women experience mild symptoms and don’t need treatment unless symptoms persist or worsen. The treatment also depends on which phase you are in. Severe symptoms require pharmacological management. You will have you thyroid levels monitored closely throughout this.
70-80% of women eventually find that their postpartum thyroiditis improves within 12-18 months from when symptoms first began. Once the thyroid is back to functioning normally, medications can be discontinued.
Does it affect future pregnancies?
You are definitely able to still conceive and have healthy pregnancies after experiencing postpartum thyroiditis. It is important to mention to your provider that you did develop the condition so they can monitor your thyroid more closely throughout pregnancy and postpartum
