Who is at risk for developing postpartum thyroiditis?
• Autoimmune disorders (such as Type 1, or juvenile onset, Diabetes Mellitus) • Positive anti-thyroid antibodies (risk correlates with antibody levels, the higher the antibody the higher the risk) • History of previous thyroid dysfunction • History of previous postpartum thyroiditis (20% of women will have recurrence of thyroiditis with subsequent pregnancies) • Family history of thyroid dysfunction What is the clinical course of postpartum thyroiditis? The classic description of postpartum thyroiditis includes thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism. The thyrotoxic phase usually lasts for 1-3 months and is associated with symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, palpitations (fast heart rate) fatigue, weight loss, and irritability. The hypothyroid phase typically occurs 1-3 months after the thyrotoxic phase and may last up to 9 –12 months. Typical symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, depression and poor exercise tolerance. Most patients (~80%) will have return
