HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Could This Be Post Partum Thyroiditis Or Full Blown Hypothroidism ?

I am a 32-year-old Black woman. I am 6 months postpartum (PP). About 2 months PP, I began waking in the middle of the night sweating profusely to the point that I had to change my clothes. That lasted for about a month or so. I also felt like I had a mild case of PPD. I began taking Iron and I started to feel much better. At about 4 months PP, I got routine labs done as part of a physical. Everything including my Cholesterol, Glucose and Blood pressure came back normal. However, my TSH came back at 9.56 and my T4 was normal. My MD wasn t concerned because T4 was normal. To be sure, I went back about a month later (5 months PP) and had labs done again to check TSH and T4. This time TSH came back at 9.72 and T4 was normal. Today I had an ultrasound . The results are as follows: Nomal -sized thyroid with multiple tiny bilateral nodules. No significant lymphadenopathy . Some of the nodules were mixed cystic and solid with some internal vascularity and some were cystic with no internal flow. In 2009 and 2010 my TSH was in normal range. I was wondering if my new TSH levels could have something to do with Post partum thyroiditis . If so, could it normalize itself on its own. Does internal vascularity mean malignant? Please note, I have no symptoms of hypothyroidism other than the TSH being high.
Thu, 26 May 2011
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi Kionna, Welcome to HealthcareMagic Forum.
Do you have anxiety, Irritability, palpitations? Your symptoms suggest Post Partum Thyroiditis which is a painless inflammation of the thyroid gland that develops within the first year after childbirth often lasts from several weeks to several months. Your reports suggest Hypothyroidism. Get yourself examined by a Endocrinologist. Treatment generally is not needed for mild signs and symptoms. If signs and symptoms are severe, thyroid hormone replacement therapy may be prescribed. It eventually returns to normal on its own but in some cases it may not. Kindly repeat the test for T3, T4 and TSH after another 3 months, if the TSH is still elevated you will require medications even if you don't have any symptoms, because hypothyroidism presents a significant risk to developing babies and it is important to make sure the condition is under control before planning for another pregnancy.

Wish you Good Health and Do Take Care.
I find this answer helpful

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Levothyroxine


Loading Online Doctors....
Could This Be Post Partum Thyroiditis Or Full Blown Hypothroidism ?

Hi Kionna, Welcome to HealthcareMagic Forum. Do you have anxiety, Irritability, palpitations? Your symptoms suggest Post Partum Thyroiditis which is a painless inflammation of the thyroid gland that develops within the first year after childbirth often lasts from several weeks to several months. Your reports suggest Hypothyroidism. Get yourself examined by a Endocrinologist. Treatment generally is not needed for mild signs and symptoms. If signs and symptoms are severe, thyroid hormone replacement therapy may be prescribed. It eventually returns to normal on its own but in some cases it may not. Kindly repeat the test for T3, T4 and TSH after another 3 months, if the TSH is still elevated you will require medications even if you don t have any symptoms, because hypothyroidism presents a significant risk to developing babies and it is important to make sure the condition is under control before planning for another pregnancy. Wish you Good Health and Do Take Care.