PPT Treatment & Symptoms

[JJKVI]

Hyperthyroidism diagnosed by GP 6 weeks ago. I had my 6 hour  iodine uptake. They did not give me a percentage. All the lab told me was that it was so low there was no reason to repeat it the next day (at 24 hours).

I am somewhat relieved because I am hoping that since I had a baby 4-1/2 months ago this would mean that it is probably just postpartum thyroiditis..

My Endo appt has been pushed back (again). My questions are:

1) How long does PPT & the various phases usually last? My hyper symptoms seem t be getting worse before they are getting better

[ChristusG]

Just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I was just diagnosed with what my doctor thinks is postpartum thyroiditis (as my ultrasound and antibodies tests turned up normal). I'm not having the radioactive scan right now as I am breastfeeding and I'm not comfortable with having it done during this time. If my ultrasound or antibodies were abnormal I was going to give in and have the scan done though.

My symptoms come and go, in severity, as well as in the dominant symptom. I have had : dizziness, lightheadedness, near fainting, weak arms, aching joints, hot all the time, low body temp, low blood pressure, heart flutters, tinginling in my hands, fatigue, and just a feeling of malaise. One week the dizziness/lightheadedness was the dominant symptom and I nearly fained in Wal-Mart. The next week heart palpitations were the dominant symptom.

My symptoms began when my daughter was a month and a half old, back at the end of April. She is now 3 and a half months old. For a few weeks the symptoms nearly went away. But now they seem to be coming back again. I feel slightly lightheaded, as well as tired. I try to push on despite the fact that I feel like lying down alot. I cant do that with a 3 month old and a 3 year old.

As for treating it, my doctor said that for postpartum thyroiditis, they only treat the symptoms with a beta blocker. I have the prescription but I have not filled it. If I can deal with the symptoms, I would rather not be on meds, especailly while breastfeeding. If they get too bad, of course I will take them.

My family practice doc referred me to an endocrinologist, who is great. She said that she will monitor my levels with bloodtests about every 6 or 7 weeks. If in the long run, it shows to be more than postpartum thyroiditis, of course I will have to go on thyroid meds. But I'm praying that this is only PPT. Whatever it is, it makes me feel cruddy alot. I never had any thyroid troubles before this though....and I didnt even have any trouble after my first pregnancy either.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

It may last as long as 12 weeks.  

While the post-partum timing & a low 6h uptake suggests thyroiditis, it is not an absolute diagnosis as iodine contamination may also do this (ie high dietary iodine or CT scan w/ iodine contrast).

There is nothing to treat except the symptoms -- there is limited reasearch on using selenium to prevent post-partum thyroiditis (dose of 200mcg/day) - this may help.

Normal TSH for pregnancy is debatable but 2.99 may be slightly high -- no definite risk associated with that number.  

Would test thyroid antibodies -- likely to be positive which may suggest a higher rate of developing hypothyroidism.

The key here is observing the trend of thyroid function and treating hypo if necessary -- would be more inclined to treat hypo early if you are planning another pregnancy in near future.