Recurrent transient hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism associated with pregnancy

South Med J. 1983 Jun;76(6):808-10. doi: 10.1097/00007611-198306000-00033.

Abstract

We describe a female patient with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and autoimmune thyroiditis. Transient hyperthyroidism developed in the postpartum period in two successive pregnancies, followed by temporary hypothyroidism with eventual full recovery. The clinical course was consistent with "silent thyroiditis" and the circumstantial evidence suggested that alterations in the antibody titers due to pregnancy may have been responsible for these episodes. This case study serves to emphasize that hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism in the postpartum period may be transient, and this fact should be considered in therapeutic management of such a patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / analysis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperthyroidism / drug therapy
  • Hyperthyroidism / etiology*
  • Hypothyroidism / drug therapy
  • Hypothyroidism / etiology*
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications*
  • Pregnancy in Diabetics / complications*
  • Pregnancy in Diabetics / drug therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Thyroid Function Tests
  • Thyroid Gland / immunology
  • Thyroiditis* / etiology
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Insulin
  • Thyroxine