Massive Blood Loss

[WPaula]

Recently someone asked about massive blood loss. Can this cause Thyroid problems?

Also does anyone have terrible painful gums with Graves?

[humanbean]

Sheehan's syndrome, also known as postpartum pituitary gland necrosis, is hypopituitarism (decreased functioning of the pituitary gland), caused by ischemic necrosis due to blood loss and hypovolemic shock during and after childbirth.

Source : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheeh...

Massive blood loss may damage the pituitary. The pituitary produces quite a few hormones, including TSH. If blood loss causes TSH production to be reduced then the thyroid will under-produce thyroid hormones, even if the thyroid itself is actually healthy. The patient in this situation ends up with secondary or central hypothyroidism. The treatment is the same as for primary hypothyroidism - additional thyroid hormones taken orally.

Sheehan's Syndrome is caused by severe blood loss during childbirth. I've always assumed that heavy blood loss from other causes could also cause problems.

Sorry, I can't help with your painful gums.

[Hidden in reply to humanbean]

As I understand it, the specific problem with Sheehan's syndrome is that during pregnancy, the increased amount of oestrogen in the body causes an increase in the size of the pituitary gland and in the volume of blood flowing through it. This makes the pituitary gland more vulnerable to damage from loss of blood, and if heavy bleeding occurs during or immediately after childbirth, there will be a sudden decrease in the blood supply to the already vulnerable pituitary gland - sometimes leading to tissue death and subsequent loss of pituitary function. A "straightforward" loss of blood in an accident say, wouldn't have the corresponding vulnerable pituitary.

[humanbean in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the explanation, Hidden .