In the year after birth your thyroid can temporarily go off balance, something called postpartum thyroiditis. Estimates vary, but it happens to about 5 in 100 women, and yet it is often missed. That is because the symptoms, such as fatigue, palpitations or low mood, closely resemble ordinary postpartum complaints.
That is exactly why a blood value can make the difference here. Below you will read what postpartum thyroiditis is, which symptoms fit which phase and which values you can have look along.
What is thyroid inflammation after birth?
Postpartum thyroiditis is a temporary inflammation of the thyroid that can arise in the first year after birth. Your immune system, which was somewhat dampened during pregnancy, rebounds afterwards and can temporarily attack the thyroid. That disturbs the production of thyroid hormone.
It often runs in two phases. First a short period in which the thyroid works too fast, then a period in which it is too slow.
In many women the thyroid recovers on its own afterwards. In some it keeps working more slowly, and that is a reason to keep following it with your GP.
Which symptoms fit the two phases?
The symptoms depend on which phase you are going through. In the fast phase you can have palpitations, restlessness, weight loss and a lot of sweating. In the slow phase you get fatigue, feeling cold, weight gain and low mood. The table below sets it side by side.
| Phase | When | Possible symptoms | Blood value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast phase (too fast) | Often 1 to 4 months after birth | Palpitations, restlessness, weight loss, sweating | TSH low, free T4 high |
| Slow phase (too slow) | Often 4 to 8 months after birth | Fatigue, cold, weight gain, low mood | TSH high, free T4 low or normal |
| Recovery | Usually within a year | Symptoms ease | Values often normalise |
Not everyone goes through both phases; sometimes you only notice the slow phase. Because these symptoms look so much like postpartum fatigue, a blood value is more reliable than going by how you feel. You can read more about that overlap in fatigue after birth.
How is it diagnosed?
Postpartum thyroiditis is diagnosed with blood testing of your thyroid values. The most important are TSH and free T4, which together show whether your thyroid works too fast or too slowly. Sometimes anti-TPO is also measured, an antibody that can point to the inflammation.
Because the values differ per phase, a single measurement does not always say enough. Your GP may repeat the test after a while to see which way it is going.
We explain how to read these values in thyroid values explained. For the period before, there is our article on thyroid and pregnancy.
Which blood values can you test after birth?
If you want your thyroid to look along after birth, you can do so at Lunara without a referral. The Thyroid Complete test brings TSH, free T4 and anti-TPO into view, among others. That can be handy if you have symptoms you cannot quite place.
An abnormal result does not immediately mean you have to take something. With postpartum thyroiditis the thyroid often recovers on its own, and whether treatment is needed you decide with your GP. This article belongs to our overview of recovery after birth.
If hair loss also plays a part, the thyroid can have a role in it. You can read about that in hair loss after birth.
Frequently asked questions
Does thyroid inflammation after birth go away on its own?
In many women it does. The thyroid often recovers within a year after birth. In some the thyroid keeps working more slowly, and then your GP can keep following the values.
What is the difference with ordinary postpartum fatigue?
Postpartum fatigue comes mainly from sleep loss and recovery and slowly fades. With a slow thyroid the fatigue often persists and other symptoms appear, such as feeling cold or weight gain. A blood value helps to tell those two apart.
Can I breastfeed with postpartum thyroiditis?
Usually yes. The inflammation itself does not stand in the way of breastfeeding. Whether any medication fits with breastfeeding, you discuss with your GP.
If I could give you one thing to take away: take symptoms that just will not go away seriously, even if they look like ordinary postpartum complaints. A thyroid that is off balance can often be brought into view quickly with a blood value. Discuss an abnormal result calmly with your GP, so you know where you stand.
References
- NHG and Thuisarts.nl. Thyroid: overactive and underactive thyroid. Dutch College of General Practitioners.
- RIVM. Pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment.
- Voedingscentrum. Iodine and the thyroid. Voedingscentrum.
Every blood test result through Lunara includes a professional assessment by a BIG-registered doctor. Blood testing through Lunara does not replace the regular postpartum check-ups. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP or midwife.
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Lunarahealth
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