Postpartum Thyroiditis

Postpartum Thyroiditis (PPT) is a thyroid condition that effects at least 5-10% within one year of having their babies. I have trained as an apprentice midwife, am a childbirth educator, and serve women as a doula, but until January of this year I had not heard of the condition. PPT is easily written off as postpartum depression, fatigue associated with having a new baby, and common anxiety of being a new Mom. Women are told their thyroid panel numbers look normal, and are sent home with instructions to try to get some more rest.

My own struggles with PPT landed me in my CNP's office wanting answers. I knew I was not struggling with postpartum depression, and I had a laundry list of symptoms that pointed to my thyroid. I was told "my numbers were pretty normal," but we didn't stop there. I began to scour the internet, and email my care provider links to articles I found that were significant. After finding a goiter (enlarged thyroid), scanning for nodules on the goiter, and continually monitoring my numbers we came to the conclusion that I did in fact have PPT.

Postpartum thyroiditis has only been recognized in the last 15-20 years, and still to this day many mainstream doctors do not acknowledge it's effect on postpartum women. Postpartum thyroiditis is incredibly hard to diagnose, because it presents itself differently in different women. Sometimes there is a hyperthyroid phase and then the thyroid returns to normal. Other times there is only a hypothyroid phase, and then there are those that go through a hyper phase to only shoot into hypo. Obviously this makes PPT difficult to identify and treat.

Here are symptoms from each phase*:

Signs and symptoms of the hyperthyroid phase:

- goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland)
- fatigue
- nervousness
- irritability
- feeling hot
- rapid heartbeat
- inability to concentrate
- trembling hands
- muscle weakness
- weight loss

Signs and symptoms of the hypothyroid phase:

- goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland)
- fatigue
- depression
- poor memory
- feeling cold
- constipation
- muscle cramps
- difficulty losing weight

Once my CNP diagnosed me as having PPT I began a regimen of bovine glandular supplements and vitamins. Within just a few weeks I felt dramatically different, and my symptoms began to disappear. Another problem with PPT is that it is incredibly difficult to treat, because the thyroid "bounces" between being hyper and hypo. Many doctors start patients on Synthroid or Armour, but that can give patients horrible hyperthyroid symptoms.

Here is the following list of supplements I took under the guidance of my health care provider:

- Raw Thyroid - supports the thyroid gland whether you're hyper or hypo.
- All Adrenal - adrenal glands can become quickly taxed if the thyroid is struggling
- Cod Liver Oil - has omegas and a lot of vitamin D (see my CLO post)
- B Complex - super vitamin that helps balance emotions, strengthen nervous system, prevent anemia
- Prenatals
- Kelp - good source of iodine which is needed for body to function properly
- Magnesium - aids in digestion, helps me sleep better

*Excellent Article: Post Partum Thyroiditis

Side note: If you have suspected thyroid problems, but your tests come back normal please continue to be your own advocate. You can buy a basal body thermometer at any drugstore. Consistently take your temperature first thing in the morning before doing anything, and write down your temperatures. If your body temp is consistently below 97.6 degrees there is a significant chance you have a thyroid condition. Take these numbers to a doctor, and insist on being heard. It may take going to more than one doctor, but it's important to be treated if you have a thyroid problem.