hi I’m 3 months postpartum and had my bloods done at 2 months pp.
Tsh <0.01
Ft4 21.4 (11.5-22.7)
Ft3 8.3 (3.5-6.5)
This was on a letter from the endo that says I’m biochemically hyperthyroid. I’ve got an appointment later in the month but just wondering if anyone has any experience with postpartum thyroiditis and maybe it is this instead?
I am under the endo as my tsh was suppressed and ft4 and ft3 were both low in early pregnancy but no actual diagnosis given. I haven’t had levothyroxine since June and was only on it for 6 weeks prior to this because of low ft4. Thanks
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Looks like possibly Hashimoto’s as it frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid type results and symptoms. Before becoming increasingly hypothyroid
Not true hyperthyroid …..as cells breakdown under autoimmune attack excess thyroid hormones released
After each breakdown thyroid becomes increasingly damaged
Request that thyroid antibodies are tested
TPO and TG for Hashimoto’s (can also be mildly elevated with Graves’ disease)
You need to test TSI or Trab to confirm Graves’ disease
Also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Have these been tested
Ft4 and Ft3 have been very low
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels
What vitamin supplements are you taking
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with Hashimoto’s or Graves autoimmune thyroid disease
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
NHS only tests TG antibodies if TPO are high
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
ALWAYS test early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In days before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70
Thanks and thanks for posting my other results I should’ve added these. I am only taking 10,000iu vit d daily. I had high tpo antibodies back in March and June and normal trab. My antibodies were tested again in December and they were in the normal range. (I haven’t got the numbers as they were tested in hospital, this is just what clinic letters say).
Is it normal to still be having the hypo hyper swings with hashis? I just want to be equipped with information before my consultant appointment so I’m not fobbed off or diagnosed as hyper if I’m not.
I had post partum after my second child, lasted around 9 months. Was exhausted with daily upset stomach and crippling anxiety. Gave up a good job, moved the family across the country much upheaval could have been avoided of only we’d known more.
GP said I was just typical stressed out Mum of 2 under 3, endo said post partum.
Unmedicated, tested at 3 month intervals levels swinging up and down either side of the normal range . This was 2004. Turned out I had Hashimoto’s all along was diagnosed hypo and autoimmune at 47 in 2021.
As SD suggests find out what your antibodies situation is, that will really help you manage your condition.
Ensure you get plenty of rest and keep stress to a minimum, pull every string you can to have phased return to work or reduced hours if you can manage it. Post partum and Hashimoto’s can both be used as reasons to need time off sick while treatment/medication are sought . Eat well and get lots of sleep. 🤗
I too had the same experience. Shortly after I had my son I lost lots of weight without changing my diet. I was so excited. But it came with palpitations and other symptoms not knowing that this was part of my thyroid journey. And then came the weight piling on without changing my diet. I knew deep down something was wrong but was afraid to say anything.Once all the symptoms started fatigue, itching, freezing when everyone was warm, palpitations etc . I started my Dr visits to no avail. They told me to go to sleep on time exercise. They had all kinds of excuses for all my symptoms.
Trust what your Feeling. It was a Good lesson for me.
Thanks I’ve got a long maternity leave off work so plenty of time to rest (where I can). I think I need to push for hashi’s diagnosis reading into it more as other than heat intolerance (I also have cold intolerance) I don’t “feel” hyper.
I had postpartum thyroiditis after each of my three pregnancies. It started about three months after birth. After my first child, I didn't take meds and my thyroid eventually came right. After the other two children, I needed meds and I took carbimazole which I tapered off after about six months. I am in perimenopause now and I think female hormone changes triggered another hyper episode. Doctors are very siloed in their thinking and they don't consider the link between the various body parts that are so interlinked. I highly recommend you go on meds because it is tiring enough having a little baby and then if your thyroid is off balance, you feel a total wreck ... and then you can't probably savour and enjoy this precious time with your new baby. Don't despair - I think so many people have postpartum thyroiditis but are incorrectly diagnosed with postpartum depression. The symptoms are so similar. All the very best!
Thank you for sharing. The endo I’ll be seeing does also go a lot of symptoms as my bloods are very up and down every month, and now I’m longer pregnant I’m happy to try and get the right medication if I need it. (And hope none are contraindicated while breastfeeding)
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How did you all figure out if you need more T4 or more T3? 
My TSH has gone down but so have my FT4 and FT3
Cabrimazole over-prescribed? Antibody query
Acute Thyroiditis
