What is postpartum thyroiditis?
Postpartum thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid gland, the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck that regulates your metabolism and other bodily functions. It is an autoimmune condition that occurs when antibodies produced by your immune system attack your thyroid.
The thyroid is like the body’s thermostat, helping to regulate your temperature. It also helps the body use energy and regulates the function of your heart, brain, muscles and other organs. Postpartum thyroiditis disrupts thyroid function and can cause either hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid).
How common is postpartum thyroiditis?
Postpartum thyroiditis develops within the first year after childbirth and affects about 5 to 10% of women in the US. In rare cases, it can also develop after a miscarriage.
Postpartum thyroiditis symptoms
When your thyroid becomes inflamed, it releases excess thyroid hormones into your bloodstream, leading to hyperthyroidism. You may experience no symptoms or any of the signs associated with an overactive thyroid.
After this initial phase, you might fully recover, or your thyroid could be damaged, potentially becoming underactive. This underactive state could be temporary or permanent, requiring lifelong hormone replacement. Symptoms may be different for each person and may include:
Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
For some women with postpartum thyroiditis, the first phase will be an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) that will typically start within the first four months after childbirth and may last up to three months.
Not everyone in this phase has noticeable symptoms, but symptoms can include:
- Feeling anxious or irritable
- Feeling overheated
- Heart racing or palpitations
- Insomnia
- Some weight loss
Many women may overlook the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, attributing them to the stress of adjusting to taking care of a new baby while trying to balance other life responsibilities.
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
The second phase is usually the underactive thyroid (hypothyroid) phase, which typically begins four to eight months after childbirth and may last up to a year, though the duration varies by person. Symptoms are more common in this phase, and women in the hypothyroid phase may experience:
- Constipation
- Depression
- Difficulty exercising
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Feeling cold
- Hair loss
- Muscle pain
- Not producing enough breast milk
- Weight gain
Most women will return to normal thyroid functioning within the first 18 months after symptoms start, but about 20 to 30% of women will remain in a hypothyroid state and require lifelong treatment for hypothyroidism.
When to see a doctor
See your OBGYN if you feel tired or experience mood changes. Women with postpartum thyroiditis may think they have the “baby blues” when their symptoms are actually caused by a thyroid condition. Symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis can also mimic those of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease, or other thyroid-related conditions.
Causes of postpartum thyroiditis
Postpartum thyroiditis occurs when anti-thyroid antibodies mistakenly attack your thyroid gland, causing inflammation. Normally, antibodies protect your body by fighting off germs, but in this case, they attack the thyroid. This process is similar to what happens in Hashimoto’s disease, the most common type of thyroiditis.
The exact cause of this antibody attack after pregnancy is still being researched. One theory suggests that an undiagnosed underlying autoimmune condition before pregnancy may increase your likelihood of developing postpartum thyroiditis.
Postpartum thyroiditis risk factors
You’re more likely to develop postpartum thyroiditis if you have:
- Antithyroid antibodies before pregnancy
- Type 1 diabetes
- Personal history of thyroid problems
- Family history of thyroid issues
- Other autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis
How is postpartum thyroiditis diagnosed?
Generally, your OBGYN can diagnose postpartum thyroiditis with a blood test. They may first start with a physical exam to see if you have any signs and symptoms of thyroid disease. They may examine your thyroid by feeling your thyroid gland and having you swallow.
To diagnose the condition, you will likely have blood tests to check for any markers of thyroid disease, including TSH, free T4, T3 and thyroid antibodies.
Postpartum thyroiditis treatment
Most women experience mild symptoms and don’t need treatment unless their symptoms worsen. If your symptoms are severe, prescription medications may be necessary. If you’re breastfeeding, inform your provider so they can recommend safe medications for you and your baby.
Treatment varies based on whether you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism:
- Hyperthyroidism: Medications like corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) reduce inflammation, while beta-blockers help manage the effects of excess thyroid hormones. Antithyroid medications are not used because the hyperthyroidism is due to inflammation, not hormone overproduction, found in conditions such as Graves’ disease.
- Hypothyroidism: You’ll likely need thyroid hormone replacement therapy for six months to a year, with the possibility of tapering off as your thyroid normalizes.
Your healthcare provider will monitor your thyroid levels throughout treatment.
Find a specialized care for postpartum thyroiditis
We help you get care at a location that fits your needs. We offer several locations for your care, including specialized postpartum thyroiditis centers in North and Central Texas.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
AccentCare Home Health of Brenham
526 W Main St , Brenham, TX, 77833
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
119 Medical Park Lane Ste C, Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
1605 Rock Prairie Rd Ste 206, College Station, TX, 77845
AccentCare Home Health Of Denton
225 W. Mulberry St. Ste A, Denton, TX, 76201
AccentCare Home Health Of Desoto
911 York Drive Ste 203, DeSoto, TX, 75115
AccentCare Home Health Of Fort Worth (Arlington)
700 Highlander Blvd Ste 205, Arlington, TX, 76015
AccentCare Home Health of Huntsville
122 Medical Park Lane B , Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of Marble Falls
1100 Mission Hills Dr Ste 100, Marble Falls, TX, 78654
AccentCare Home Health Of McKinney
6800 Weiskopf Ave Ste 100, McKinney, TX, 75070
AccentCare Home Health Of Taylor (Hutto)
567 Chris Kelley Blvd Ste 201, Hutto, TX, 78634
AccentCare Home Health Of Temple
3809 S General Bruce Dr Ste 105B, Temple, TX, 76502
AccentCare Home Health Of Waco
8300 Central Park Dr Ste A, Waco, TX, 76712
AdventHealth Central Texas
2201 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
Andrews Women's Hospital at Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest Infectious Disease Clinic
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd MOB1, Ste 104, Waco, TX, 76712
Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute
900 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute - Huntsville
122 Medical Park Ln Ste A, Huntsville, TX, 77340
Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic
600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White 65+ Clinic
4716 Alliance Blvd Ste 500, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialists
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiovascular and Imaging Consultants
4708 Alliance Blvd Ste 450, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Digestive Care
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center - Fort Worth
1420 8th Ave Ste 103, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Decatur
2401 S FM 51 Ste 200, Decatur, TX, 76234
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Keller (Satellite)
3124 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 204, Keller, TX, 76177
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - McKinney (Satellite)
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Plano
4716 Dexter Dr Ste 100, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Bldg 1, Ste 360, Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E MOB 2, Ste 310, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Lung Disease Specialists - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Ambulatory Endoscopy Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 210, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm