Post means "after," and partum means "pregnancy," so postpartum refers to the time period after you have a baby. It's usually considered the first 6 weeks.
Your thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck. Glands make and release hormones. Hormones stimulate other cells or tissues into action.
Thyroid hormones control how fast your body's chemical functions work (your metabolic rate).
What is a postpartum thyroid disorder?
For about 6 months after having a baby, you have an increased risk of getting a thyroid disorder. Over 1 in 20 women get a postpartum thyroid disorder.
Also, if you had a thyroid disorder, such as goiter Simple Nontoxic Goiter Simple nontoxic goiter is noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland that does not involve over- or underproduction of thyroid hormones. Noncancerous thyroid enlargement can occur because... read more or Hashimoto thyroiditis Hashimoto Thyroiditis Your thyroid is a gland below the Adam’s apple in your neck. Your thyroid releases thyroid hormones. The hormones control how fast your body’s chemical functions work (metabolic rate). Almost... read more , before or during pregnancy, that disorder may get worse after your baby is born.
Your thyroid may be underactive (hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism Your thyroid is a gland below the Adam’s apple in your neck. Your thyroid releases thyroid hormones. The hormones control how fast your body’s chemical functions work (metabolic rate). Almost... read more ) or overactive (hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism Your thyroid is a gland below the Adam’s apple in the front of your neck. Your thyroid releases thyroid hormones. The hormones control how fast your body’s chemical functions work (metabolic... read more )
An underactive thyroid makes you feel tired and sluggish
An overactive thyroid makes you feel anxious and shaky
Doctors diagnose thyroid problems with blood tests
Postpartum thyroid problems often go away on their own, but you may need medicine until they do
What are the symptoms of a thyroid disorder?
Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
Losing weight
Tiredness
Fast heartbeat
Tremor (shaking you can't control)
Nervousness
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
Extreme tiredness
Constipation
Dry skin
Thinning hair
Puffy face
How do doctors diagnose postpartum thyroid disorders?
Doctors do blood tests to diagnose thyroid disorders.
How do doctors treat postpartum thyroid disorders?
You may need treatment if your symptoms bother you a lot or your blood tests are very abnormal. For hypothyroidism, you'll take thyroid hormone pills.
