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- Also called: Postpartum thyroiditis
- Type of ailment: Autoimmune condition
- Duration: Hyperthyroidism typically lasts up to two months; hypothyroidism phase may last six to 12 monthsNational Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service: Pregnancy and Thyroid Disease
- Common medication or therapy: Beta blockers or thyroid replacement hormones
- Cause: Thyroid malfunction, reason unknown
- Risk factors: Women with autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, a history of previous thyroid problems or positive anti-thyroid antibodiesAmerican Thyroid Association: Postpartum Thyroiditis
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Postpartum thyroiditis, or PPT, is a condition that occurs after childbirth. A woman's thyroid gland becomes inflamed, resulting in either an underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Statistics show postpartum thyroiditis is fairly common, affecting as many as 5% to 10% of U.S. women in the weeks or months after they give birth. Typically, postpartum thyroiditis appears within one to eight months after delivery.American Thyroid Association: Postpartum Thyroiditis National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service: Pregnancy and Thyroid Disease
Treatment for postpartum thyroiditis will vary depending on whether a new mother is in the hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism phase of the condition. Treatment for hyperthyroidism may include beta blockers; treatment for hypothyroidism may require thyroid replacement hormones.MayoClinic.com: What are the signs and symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis?
Postpartum Thyroiditis Symptoms
- Some women will not notice the initial stages of postpartum thyroiditis, or PPT. Initial symptoms of hyperthyroidism may include:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sudden weight loss
- Fatigue
- Nervousness
- Sensitivity to heat
- As postpartum thyroiditis progresses to the hypothyroidism phase, symptoms may become more apparent. They may include:
United States Statistics
- May affect up to 10% of postpartum women in the United StatesAmerican Thyroid Association: Postpartum Thyroiditis
Disclaimer
The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a physician for information on PPT treatment.
| Hypothyroidism | Hyperthyroidism | Thyroid Disease | Pregnancy | Postpartum Depression | Postpartum Thyroiditis | ThyroiditisAbout this page
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