Post Partum Thyroid Dysfunction: A Clinical Dilemma Resolved!

Abstract

Thyroid disorders are common during pregnancy and their clinical features maybe similar to the symptoms and signs associated with pregnancy itself. 1,2 They are important to identify and diagnose, as optimal treatment instituted promptly results in favourable maternal and foetal outcomes. After parturition the thyroid function typically returns to the normal non-pregnant state by the end of puerperium, however, abnormalities may persist in some women. Postpartum thyroid dysfunction is defined as an abnormal TSH level within the first 12 months postpartum in the absence of a toxic thyroid nodule or thyrotoxin receptor antibodies. 3 In this manuscript we review data from our study regarding postpartum thyroid function, along with literature and guidelines to understand the management of this enigmatic disease entity.