Vol 59, No 2 (2008)
Review paper
Published online: 2008-05-08
Postpartum thyroiditis - current views on unappreciated disease
Endokrynol Pol 2008;59(2):180-190.
Abstract
Postpartum thyroiditis is a form of autoimmune thyroiditis developing during the first 12 months postpartum as a consequence of the
immunologic flare following the immune suppression of pregnancy. This disease, found in 5-10% of women in a general population and
even more frequently in patients suffering from other autoimmune disorders, may reoccur in about 70% of women after a subsequent
pregnancy. Postpartum thyroiditis is strongly associated with antithyroid peroxidase antibodies. Patients may present with symptoms of
either thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism which may be transient or, in some (20-30%) cases of hypothyroidism, permanent in nature.
A thyrotoxic phase of postpartum thyroiditis is usually brief and often unnoticed before a more long-lasting hypothyroid phase occurs.
The diagnosis of postpartum thyroiditis is based on the observation of abnormal thyroid function tests in a postpartum antithyroid peroxidase-
positive woman. In this paper, we discuss the etiopathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of postpartum
thyroiditis and provide the reader with some practical guidance concerning dealing with a patient suffering from this disorder.
(Pol J Endocrinol 2008; 59 (2): 180-189)
Keywords: postpartum thyroiditisetiopathogenesissymptomsdiagnosistreatmentpreventionrecommendations