The normal course of pregnancy is due to many factors. In the process of fetal development of the fetus, external and internal changes occur with the woman. The body systems work either in enhanced or in slow mode.
Over the course of all 9 months, the thyroid gland should fulfill its primary functions. During this period, she has to work on two organisms. Closer to the middle of pregnancy, the baby activates its own thyroid gland, but it still cannot secrete hormones. After it is born, the body systems begin to restore their functions. Sometimes this happens overly active, postpartum thyroiditis occurs.
Features of the disease
It is believed that during pregnancy, a woman’s immunity functions in slow motion. Immediately after birth, a surge in hormones and antibodies is observed, all systems are activated. As a result, there is an increase in the thyroid gland, which manifests itself in the form of thyroiditis. Pathology begins its development with hyperthyroidism, and ends with hypothyroidism. At a certain point, the body ceases to produce an increased amount of hormones, reducing their activity.
Postpartum thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease. It is considered to be the result of excessive activity of the immune system. At risk are women with diabetes, as well as carriers of antibodies to TPO.
Thyroiditis itself is characterized by inflammation of the thyroid gland. Against the background of ongoing pathological processes, her cells begin to die. Pathology is accompanied by unpleasant sensations and even pain in the neck. The postpartum form of the disease develops after 2-3 months, as the baby is born. After another six months, the hormonal background usually normalizes, and the disease disappears on its own. Sometimes it goes into a chronic stage. In subsequent pregnancies in such women, the violation is repeated.
Who is at risk?
Symptoms, causes, treatment of postpartum thyroiditis will be discussed below. First, it is necessary to determine the so-called risk group - women who have a high probability of its occurrence.
According to doctors, no one is safe from this disease. It can appear in any lady who enjoys pregnancy. However, a number of indicators stand out due to which it is possible to determine the group of women most prone to pathology. This is, first of all:
- age over 35 years;
- the presence of a hereditary predisposition;
- violation of the central nervous system;
- a history of autoimmune lesions.
The likelihood of increased symptoms increases with repeated pregnancy.
Main reasons
As already noted earlier, the main reason for the development of the pathological process is considered to be the suppression of the immunity of the future mother in childbirth. It was not by chance that nature conceived these changes. A decrease in the activity of the immune system during pregnancy is necessary so that it does not destroy the developing fetus. After the birth of the crumbs, the need for this disappears. The body's defenses return to their original state. In the case of postpartum thyroiditis, their hyperstimulation is observed, the thyroid gland becomes a victim of it.
It is possible to assume that a woman will have to face this ailment by increasing the antibodies in the blood to the thyroid gland. In addition, the following factors contribute to the pathological process:
- endocrine diseases of a chronic nature;
- diabetes;
- infectious and respiratory diseases transferred during pregnancy;
- physical overwork;
- malnutrition;
- adverse environmental conditions.
Clinical picture
Symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis appear as early as 8-14 weeks after the birth of the baby. First, a young mother feels an unprecedented energy. Due to the increase in the level of hormones in the blood, she begins to notice interruptions in mood. Feelings of joy and satisfaction very quickly give way to bitterness, irritability.
At the next stage of the development of the disease, a sharp decrease in weight is observed, while the woman does not suffer from a lack of appetite. The clinical picture is supplemented by heart palpitations. A slight swelling in the neck area is possible due to an increase in the size of the thyroid gland.
Then signs that are characteristic of hypothyroidism begin to appear. Drowsiness appears, a young mother's desire to take care of a child disappears. Even minor exertion provokes severe fatigue. Against the background of a decrease in appetite, weight continues to increase. In some cases, malfunctions in the menstrual cycle are recorded.
Diagnostic Methods
If symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis are identified, seek the help of an endocrinologist or gynecologist. Both of these specialists are involved in the diagnosis of such diseases. A gynecologist evaluates the work of the female genital organs. The second doctor specializes mainly in endocrine pathologies.
Diagnosis of postpartum thyroiditis begins with a survey of the patient, the study of complaints and her medical history. Since this disease does not have pronounced signs, a woman will need to undergo a comprehensive examination to confirm preliminary detention. Usually it includes the following activities:
- Blood test for hormones.
- Immunogram (allows you to check for antibodies to thyroid elements).
- Ultrasound of the organ (during the study, the presence of tumors and nodes is recorded).
- Soft tissue biopsy (used to determine the malignancy of the pathological process).
- Scintigraphy (analysis helps to estimate the size and contours of the gland, the area of the disease).
After obtaining the results of the examination, treatment for postpartum thyroiditis is prescribed. Today, doctors prefer to use 2 options for the impact on the disease: drug and computer reflexology. Each of them will be described in detail below.
The basics of drug therapy
With elevated hormone levels, thyroid glands are always initially prescribed thyreostatics. These drugs help eliminate their excess. Medications can be taken even during intense lactation, since the active substances do not adversely affect the health of the newborn.
Otherwise, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed, during which only 2 medications of your choice are used: L-thyroxine or Eutirox. With prolonged treatment, the tests improve markedly. However, this fact does not mean that the body managed to cope with the disease. Good indicators of hormone levels indicate a correctly selected dosage of drugs, and not about the restoration of the endocrine system.
Computer reflexology
Treatment with medications improves the general condition of a sick lady, but does not help normalize the activity of the thyroid gland. In order to stabilize hormone production, treatment is often supplemented with computer reflexology. Its essence is reduced to the effect of current on certain points associated with the brain center through the channels of the central nervous system. In this case, the use of drugs is not required.
Computer reflexology of postpartum thyroiditis allows over time to fully restore the gland. The thyroid gland, after a course of treatment, produces the already required amount of hormones. The young mother is recovering, and the main systems of internal organs begin to act harmoniously.
Treatment duration
The duration of the prescribed therapy always depends on the effectiveness of the preventive measures taken and the severity of the disease. As a rule, this period varies from two months to six months.
In this case, the attending physician must necessarily know whether the woman plans to again try on the role of the mother in the future. If she does not want to have children anymore, they do not resort to strict therapy. In this case, usually preference is given to expectant tactics under the control of narrow specialists. Within a year, the disease can be eliminated on its own. If replenishment in the family is planned, the patient will certainly be prescribed drug therapy. During treatment, it is necessary to periodically undergo an examination, take blood tests for hormones.
Postpartum Thyroiditis and Breastfeeding
Many representatives of the fair sex, learning about their disease, begin to worry about the health of the baby. Is lactation acceptable during the treatment of thyroiditis? Most doctors give a positive answer to this question. Modern drugs used for thyroiditis do not contradict breastfeeding and even pregnancy. As for the pathology itself, it is not transmitted to the child with mother’s milk.
Prognosis for recovery
Can postpartum thyroiditis be cured? Reviews of many women indicate that this disease can and should be fought. Properly prescribed therapy allows you to fully recover within a year. Otherwise, the ailment can turn into a chronic form, which requires a longer and more complex treatment.