Endocrinology

	Answer 5 Permanent hypothyroidism is likely to develop. Seventy percent of women with a previous episode of postpartum thyroiditis develop recurrence with subsequent pregnancies.9 By convention, hypothyroidism that persists for more than 1 year postpartum is not considered postpartum thyroiditis. Although most women with postpartum thyroiditis become euthyroid within 1 year, women who present with higher titers of TPO antibodies are at increased risk of permanent hypothyroidism.10 It has been suggested that women with a history of postpartum thyroiditis should have a serum TSH level checked annually.1 Additionally, the presence of TPO antibodies is associated with an increased risk of the development of hypothyroidism in patients with type 1 diabetes.11 REFERENCES 1. Abalovich M, Amino N, Barbour LA, et al. Management of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and postpartum: an Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007;92(8 Suppl):S1–47. 9. Lazarus JH, Ammari F, Oretti R, et al. Clinical aspects of recurrent postpartum thyroiditis. Br J Gen Pract 1997;47:305–8. 10. Lucas A, Pizarro E, Granada ML, et al. Postpartum thyroiditis: epidemiology and clinical evolution in a nonselected population. Thyroid 2000;10:71–7. 11. Umpierrez GE, Latif KA, Murphy MB, et al. Thyroid dysfunction in patients with type 1 diabetes: a longitudinal study. Diabetes Care 2003;26:1181–5. Click here to return to the questions
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