Hi, I’m just hoping to get some advice as I have recently been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid.
I saw a consultant yesterday who advised is it either pregnancy related or Graves’ disease. I had a baby 9 months ago.
Has anyone else been diagnosed with this after birth?
Doctor says he wants to run more bloods and check my antibodies before giving me any medication but I am really struggling with my symptoms!
I would appreciate and advice and support.
Welcome to forum.
Do you have any blood test results? Obtain a printed copy with ranges or via online access.
For full thyroid function you need
TSH.
FT4
FT3.
TPO & TGab antibodies -
Also important to test
folate,
ferritin,
B12 &
Vitamin D.
Hyper can be from post partum thyroiditis. Levels can sometimes return to normal funtion but with autoimmune thyroiditis it can ultimately lead to a drop in levels (under active).
The immune system is causing damage to thyroid at first the hormone stores are released causing the rise but at a later stage the damage results in reduced function & this can be treated with replacement thyroid hormone.
If Graves is suspected you must have TSI or Trab antibodies tested. These are highest with Graves but TG & TPO antibodies can be present too.
Graves causes continuous hyper levels and anti thyroid treatment must be taken to control levels. The aim is after 18 months the levels will naturally return to normal, but it can take longer.
Doctors often suggest permanent treatment beyond 18 months, eg surgery or radioactive iodine treatment, but it’s far too soon to be considering this.
Are doctors waiting for antibody results to decided if anti thyroid medication eg carbimazole or PTU are appropriate?
Your FT4 & FT3 need to be monitored here, you are checking for a drop as well as a rise. TSH isn’t reliable.
Sometimes propranolol is given to relieve symptoms until the cause of hyper is determined.
Thyroid issues occurring after pregnancy is common. Often it gets missed / delayed as symptoms are blamed on “stress of new baby”.
What are your symptoms?
Thank you for your response PurpleNails, I have had several symptoms including:
Diarrhoea, Palpitations, Anxiety, Weight loss, overheating, sweating, shaking and dizziness.
I originally went to the doctors in June with symptoms however they did not check my thyroid, I did have to have B12 injections. In September I asked if they had checked my thyroid as i noticed symptoms were similar.
My levels then were:
TSH: <0.05
T4: 47
B12: 475
Folate: 5.6
They also stated my blood sugars were slightly high at 6.8 but the doctor thinks it is just a symptom of my thyroid.
I had more bloods yesterday to check levels and antibodies so awaiting those results.
Hello Banana and welcome to the forum :
First off Congratulations and hope baby is doing well.
Thyroid disorders can occur after such an occasion and yes, testing for antibodies is the second step after running a thyroid blood test for a TSH. and Free T3 and Free T4 blood analysis.
If you have the results of this test, forum members can explain what it means - just reply back here with the results and the ranges.
The second step is getting the medical evidence of what you are dealing with and which thyroid antibodies are over range and positive - and this can be done from the same blood sample.
The thyroid is a major gland and If your heart is involved a beta blocker is generally prescribed to ease symptoms while we wait for the antibody results.
Thank you, I have been prescribed beta blockers to help with my symptoms. Baby is doing very well 
Hi Banana4444 and welcome to the forum!
When you have the blood test results members will be in a much better position to advise. Many members thyroid journey can be traced back to childbirth, so it is not uncommon. I would start a new post when you have the test results; remember to post the ranges too as these can vary between laboratories.
The antibody tests are key to knowing if you have Graves ( ie positive Trab or TSI). This is so important, as I presented with ‘Hyper’ symptoms and diagnosed as Graves, but later antibody tests showed I was actually under active with Hashimotos.
Have you had thyroid antibodies test results back yet?
You also need vitamin D, iron and ferritin and cholesterol levels tested
Low vitamin D extremely common with Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease
High cortisol is linked to being hypothyroid
What’s your diet like…..vegetarian or vegan ?
Gluten free or dairy free?
Hi SlowDragon not had antibodies test back yet was told it could take 2 weeks.
No I have a varied diet and eat meat, I have seen that thyroid issues can be brought on by pregnancy so wonder if it is that!
I have felt poorly for months but my doctors didn’t believe there was anything wrong with me other than having not long had a baby and anxiety!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
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