Postpartum thyroiditis

• May 8, 2024

From 2 to 6 months after delivery, the thyroid gland could swell without presenting pain . This generates alterations in the hormonal levels which may be transient or permanent.

Thyroiditis is related to the presence of antibodies that can destroy the thyroid gland. The risk is more latent in women who have suffered thyroiditis with anticipation or another class of autoimmune diseases.

The Mexican Society of Nutrition and Endocrinology, in the document "Postpartum thyroiditis", Explains that the health problem goes through several phases. In the first, the release of previously formed thyroid hormones results in hyperthyroidism (lasting from 1 to 3 months). Afterwards the hormones stop being released and one goes to a phase of hypothyroidism that lasts between 9 and 12 months. Finally, hormones tend to return to their original state after 12 or 18 months.

The diagnosis is made from altered thyroid hormones, antibodies against thyroid proteins and a thyroid scan. Everything depends on the phase in which you are. The endocrinologist is the one who will follow up the case.

Video Medicine: Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy Video – Brigham and Women’s Hospital (May 2024).