Ever Heard of Silent Postpardom Thyroid?

Hi D., Are you diagnosed with this? I have heard of it. Just met a woman last night with it. I am working with several women who are going thru thyroid issues. I have some very useful information on thyroid...like...normal labs doesn't mean it is functioning well. If you would like to talk further or have some of these resources just let me know. I love to work with Moms so they can have all the energy to focus on being the Mom they dream of being.

M. Gray
____@____.com

Hi D.

My thyroid became extremeky underactive after my first pregnancy 8 years ago. I've never heard of anything called "silent" postpartum thyroid...does that mean you have no obvious symptoms? Regardless, make sure you follow your bloodwork closely for the first year. Don't accept any doctor putting you on medication and then just saying he'll see you in a year. I would get it checked every 4 months for that first year and pay close attention to your body, mind and energy levels. If your thyroid is underactive, they will most likely put you on a synthetic thyroid hormone (Synthroid is the standard and much more effective than the generic). If your thyroid is underactive, there is a different kind of treatment for that (a different med and possible other methods to suppress your thyroid). I have researched thyroid issues extensively over the past several years, and have also practiced natural remedies in conjunction with synthroid. In the beginning of my third preganacy (which was in the last year and 6+ years after my first two), I noticed feeling very jittery. I had already reduced my old dose of synthroid significantly (alternative measures, time, hormones?), but suddenly I felt very "overactive". The doctor reduced my dose again and we followed it throughout the whole pregnancy. I am at the lowest possible dose of synthroid now and am thrilled. I thought I would be taking the same dose forever...that is what is typical or having to increase it. And if I had to, that wouldn't have been the very worst thing to have to deal with (so many people have much worse). The pregnancy hormones surely had something to do with it though, so I am keeping an eye on it again---I am only 6 months postpartum and it could still change again since my hormones are not completely back to normal.

My advice would be to find a good Endocrinologist, make sure they do a full panel of bloodwork, monitor it every four months until your numbers have leveled into a normal range for at least 6 months straight, pay attention to typical symptoms (hair loss, weight gain/loss, fatigue or jitters, etc...you can symptom lists online), and absolutely read up on the natural/supplemental ways to help your thyroid.

By the way, I have a great doctor who is a holistic MD (the best of both worlds) if you need someone in the Bloomfield/W. Bloomfield area.

Good luck and no worries...it is a very manageable issue.

Post Partum thyroid?

Haven't heard of it, but heck the body IS easily thrown out of whack by hormones, so anything's possible.

I don't know about the silent part but I was diagnosed with postpardom thyroiditis after my second child was born. I was very tired and I just knew that something was not right. My thyroid was very low. The dr.'s but me on synthroid ( a pill) that I take 6 days a week and it helped tons. Unfortunately, I will have to take it for the rest of my life. It's going on six years now that I have been on it. I have really found no side effects to it, other than I have to pay for the pills.
Good luck. A.

Here this looks like good info
http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0016/ea0016P109.htm
A. H

I'm not sure if this is what it's named...but I turned hypothyroid after my 2nd pregnancy. I think it is "silent" because some of the symptoms are the same as PPD, or post partdum depression. Depression, being tired all the time(sleepy), your hair falls out more, de-energized, etc. It was a year before they tested my Thyroid, and found it to be too high. Incidently, to conceive again, you want your thyroid to be between 1 and 2, while not ttc, you probably could be up to a 3 and feel okay. When first tested, mine was above a 5! Some people are much higher than that. It sure messes with your metabolism. If you think this may be you, I hope that they get the right dosage of meds to help you feel better. Best of luck to you.
J.

I have never heard of "Silent" Thyroid, I have however been battling Thyroid issues, since the birth of my son 5 yrs ago. My doctor has finally put me on some medicine to level out my thyroid. We are still working on the correct dose but I am starting to feel better. The best advice I can give you is, DO NOT GIVE UP!! As long as you have a doctor who is willing to work with you and who listen's to you, you are in good hands. I understand your confussion, research, research, research....and know your body.