What Is Postpartum Thyroiditis?
Postpartum thyroiditis (thyroid gland inflammation) is a condition that women can develop after delivering a baby. It is a disorder of the thyroid gland – a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in the lower front of your neck.
Your thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones, which are released into your blood and carried to tissues throughout your body. Thyroid hormone helps your body use energy and stay warm. It also helps your brain, heart and muscles to work properly.
Thyroiditis can cause thyrotoxicosis (high thyroid hormone levels in your blood) and hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels in your blood). In postpartum thyroiditis, thyrotoxicosis frequently occurs first followed by hypothyroidism.
The exact cause isn’t known, but it may be an autoimmune disease. Symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis are similar to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Women who have Type 1 diabetes or antithyroid antibodies have a higher risk of postpartum thyroiditis. Some have undiagnosed pre-existing autoimmune thyroiditis, which may flare up due to hormone and immune-function changes during the postpartum period.
Symptoms
Symptoms can be mild at first. They’re often dismissed as part of the normal stress of adjusting to a new baby. Symptoms may include:
- Anxiety and irritability
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations (fast heart beat)
- Fatigue
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Depression
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on your stage of this condition and symptoms. For mild hypothyroidism with few symptoms, you may not require treatment. In other instances, therapies may include:
Medications such as beta blockers for heart palpitations or muscle shakes and tremors
Thyroid hormone replacement .
Treatment is usually temporary. Most women with this condition regain normal thyroid function within a year to 18 months of when symptoms begin. However, about 20 percent of women will have chronic hypothyroidism and need long-term therapy.
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If you're experiencing signs or symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis, schedule an appointment or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) today.
Learn more about our doctors and care team who diagnose and treat postpartum thyroiditis.