Postpartum Hypothyroidism

Postpartum hypothyroidism is a common condition among females immediately after being pregnant that's a result of an autoimmune condition referred to as lymphocytic thyroiditis. It affects about 5% of women soon after childbirth and is suspected to be the fundamental reason behind postpartum depression.

In lymphocytic thyroiditis, the thyroid glands becomes swollen due to the infiltration of a white blood cell called lymphocyte. It is thought to result from the modification of the immune system necessary for pregnancy. It has a preliminary hyperthyroid stage wherein the thyroid glands creates excessive quantities of thyroid hormones, triggering a drastic surge in the metabolism rate. This can lead to rapid weight loss, diarrhea, rapid pulse, feeling overheated, anxiety, and difficulty in sleeping.

Following the initial hyperthyroid period, the thyroid either comes back to its normal state or it goes into hypothyroid period. In this status, the thyroid glands become underactive, making inadequate thyroid hormones that triggers an abnormal decline in the metabolism rate. It results in exhaustion among new mothers, wherein they will be sleeping no less than 14 hours and awaken unrefreshed. This also makes the new mother gain more weight even when she is following a thorough diet and workout strategy. This is because her body can't effectively process the excessive calories because of the changes in metabolic process. These symptoms can badly affect the psyche of the new mother, possibly leading to a postpartum depressed state indicated by feelings of sadness, anxiety, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, a sense of hopelessness, disturbance in appetite, mood swings and lack of interest in the baby.

Pregnant women who tested positive for antithyroid antibodies have between 33% to 50% odds of acquiring lymphocytic thyroiditis after giving birth to the baby. In addition, several researchers have found that the existence of these antibodies makes a pregnant woman 3 times more likely to obtain postpartum depression. This thyroid illness after maternity can be temporary, lasting for up to 6 months to a year. However, about one in five of women will acquire permanent hypothyroidism that needs lifetime hormone therapy. This is because the thyroid glands were too impaired due to the hormonal imbalance or because the being pregnant triggered an underlying case of autoimmune disorder.

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