Postpartum Thyroid Disorder

According to the NHS Choices website [Thyroiditis], postpartum thyroiditis is caused by a problem with the immune system but only happens in women who have recently given birth. A vast majority of postpartum women will experience the symptoms of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) followed by a period of underactive thyroidism (hypothyroidism). However, it isn’t always the case that it will occur in this order in all situations. Generally, after twelve to eighteen months, the thyroid should return to normal.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism:

• anxiety
• insomnia
• heart palpitations
• weight loss
• irritability

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:

• weight gain
• constipation
• dry skin
• fatigue
• depression

The generic list of symptoms above is just that: a basic, general list. Personal experience and anecdotes from numerous thyroid websites have led me to the conclusion that the symptoms are varied, to say the least! I definitely suffered from some weird and not so wonderful ailments at my worst times.

After the birth of my first child, I experienced hyper followed by hypo symptoms. Thankfully my thyroid gland did rectify itself but I was informed by my endocrinologist that if I was to become pregnant again then my thyroid would not make such a recovery. This became my situation and I now have permanent hypothyroidism. A small price to pay for having Isobel in our lives!

I have found through talking to other new mums that many women are misdiagnosed and sometimes post natal depression is suspected in the first instance. Although obviously, this is a very real illness in its own right; the symptoms of thyroid disorder can very much mimic those of post-natal depression and vice versa. This also happened to me and only because I made my GP aware of my family history of auto-immune disorders, including hypothyroidism, did I receive the appropriate hypothyroidism treatment. This led to an eventual correct diagnosis.

Thyroid Blood Tests

Your body should produce a thyroid hormone called T4 (and also T3 and T2, but T4 does the majority of the work) that has the job of controlling your metabolism (all things to do with growth and brain function). When it is failing, your brain tells it to produce MORE or LESS TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). If it isn’t producing enough, your brain says “produce more! And, your TSH will be HIGHER. If it’s producing too much, it says “slow down!” and your TSH will be LOW. If they suspect autoimmune thyroid problems they should also test for antibodies.

Thyroid blood tests seem to cause great confusion and the ‘normal’ ranges which the blood results are measured against, vary from surgery to surgery and consequently laboratory to laboratory. In some areas of the country, the normal range is between 0.5-12.0, in other areas, it is between 0.4-5. Several times I have been informed that my blood test was ‘normal’ although I knew I still didn’t feel well. Recently I was informed that my blood test results showed a TSH reading of 6.24, which is just slightly out of the ‘normal’ range for my GPs’ surgery.

However, I know from personal experience that I function best at around the 1.0 TSH level. I have been advised to continue with my current medication for a few months and then have the blood test repeated. If I had not asked for my results, I may not have been made aware of this until my annual review. I was also told that I should be symptom-free at this TSH level, but that is the reason I went to the GP: I was feeling lethargic and just not myself.

How can the GP recommend what TSH level will result in a feeling of wellness if you weren’t tested when you were fit and healthy? Often you may only be tested for TSH, however, if you have a familial history a good doctor should test: T4, T3, TSH and antibodies. If in doubt, especially post-baby, do go and get checked out at your local GPs’ surgery and request the relevant thyroid blood tests. Don’t be afraid to ask for actual figures of blood test results either and in time you will learn at what level your body functions best.

Have you experienced Postpartum Thyroid Disorder and how do/did you deal with it?