Postpartum thyroiditis is a phenomenon observed following
pregnancy[1] and may involve
hyperthyroidism,
hypothyroidism or the two sequentially. It affects about 5% of all women within a year after giving birth. The first phase is typically
hyperthyroidism. Then, the
thyroid either returns to normal or a woman develops
hypothyroidism. Of those women who experience hypothyroidism associated with postpartum thyroiditis, one in five will develop permanent hypothyroidism requiring life-long treatment.
Postpartum thyroiditis is believed to result from the modifications to the immune system necessary in pregnancy, and histologically is a lymphocytic thyroiditis. The process is normally self-limiting, but when conventional antibodies are found there is a high chance of this proceeding to permanent hypothyroidism. Postpartum thyroiditis is a member of the group of thyroiditis conditions known as resolving thyroiditis.
>integumentary system Dermatoses of pregnancy (list)
