Postpartum Thyroiditis and Antibodies

[Bwrd]

I had a blood test postpartum that showed hyperthyroidism. I'm now 5 month Postpartum and have gone the other way and my bloods are now showing hypothyroidism. This is typical PP Thyroiditis. However have tested positive for antibodies! I'm awaiting my consultation with the specialist but I doesn't seem to look like Postpartum anymore! But what could have made me go so hyper then hypo!!

[Lalatoot]

Autoimmune thyroid disease aka hashimotos often starts with a hyper phase before you go hypo.

[humanbean]

It is quite common for women with Postpartum Thyroiditis to end up with permanent thyroid problems. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis can develop as part of pregnancy and it might not go away after the pregnancy is over.

I doubt many people ever get a reason for their thyroid problems after pregnancy. It could just have been the hormonal upset of pregnancy that did it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms before becoming increasingly hypothyroid

It’s not true hyperthyroidism as it’s due to thyroid gland being attacked and temporarily releasing excess thyroid hormones as cells break down

High cholesterol is linked to being hypothyroid

Essential to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. These are frequently very low with Hashimoto’s

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and retest thyroid levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...

Request ultrasound scan of thyroid too

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

[041051]

I don't know the answer but it happened to me 40 years ago. Eventually, everything righted itself and I didn't need medication for some years. I am now hypo ant back on medication

[georgiego]

I had pp thyroiditis. I was diagnosed graves when pregnant though. The endo left me without medication as he thought it would sort itself but I didn't. I swung hyper to hypo back to hyper all within the first year, I eventually went so hyper I was really ill and by the time my child turned 2 I got RAI so now permanently hypo. You could swing back to hyper so just keep an eye on your symptoms. Take care. Hard to deal with this whilst looking after a baby.