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Home |  Pregnancy overview |  Reproductive Health | Complications | Labor & Birth

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Postpartum Thyroiditis

 

Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism occuring for the first time after delivery

These thyroid dysfunction contitions can happen for the first time in the postnatal period. There is a unique condition called postpartum thyroiditis. This is characterized by transient hyper­thyroidism with all the hallmarks of raised thyroid hormone. In a few days, this turns to hypothyroidism. The hypothyroidism may take several months to clear up, as it does in over 90% of affected patients.

 

In a small minority, it remains permanently as hypothyroidism, requiring thyroid hormone supplements for life.

 

Recurrence of postpartum thyroiditis  in subsequent pregnancies

Postpartum thyroiditis might re-occur in subsequent pregnancies but this is not always the case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Section: Asthma in Pregnancy

When hyperthyroidism occurs for the first time  after delivery, it is likely to progress ‘backwards’ and become hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) within days. This resolves entirely in a matter of weeks or months in the majority of cases