Evaluating and Managing Postpartum Thyroid Dysfunction.

Postpartum thyroid dysfunction (PTD) occurs in approximately 5% to 10% of all women within 1 year following delivery and is usually due to intrinsic thyroid disease rather than hypothalamic or pituitary lesions. The most common etiology of PTD, which may resemble postpartum depression, is autoimmune thyroid disease (chronic or Hashimoto's thyroiditis). Women with Graves' disease who experience symptom exacerbation in the postpartum period account for a small percentage of cases. Clues to PTD include nonspecific symptoms such as tiredness, fatigue, depression, palpitations, and irritability. On physical examination, tachycardia may be noted. Goiters are detected in the majority of cases. The disease course varies; most patients experience a phase of hypothyroidism that takes 2 to 6 months to resolve, but some develop permanent hypothyroidism within 5 years of the diagnosis.