Postpartum hypothyroidism is a very common disorder involving women following pregnancy that is brought on by an autoimmune condition named lymphocytic thyroiditis. It affects close to 5% of women soon after giving birth and is suspected to be the main reason behind postpartum depression.

In lymphocytic thyroiditis, the thyroid glands becomes swollen due to the infiltration of a white blood cell known as lymphocyte. It is suspected to result from the modification of the immune system needed in pregnancy. It has an initial hyperthyroid period wherein the thyroid glands releases excessive quantities of thyroid hormones, causing a drastic surge in the metabolism rate. This will result in diarrhea, rapid pulse, feeling overheated, rapid weight loss, difficulty in sleeping, and anxiety.

Following the initial hyperthyroid period, the thyroid either returns to its regular state or it goes into hypothyroid period. In this status, the thyroid glands become underactive, providing not enough thyroid hormones that triggers an irregular decrease in the metabolism rate. It leads to low energy among new mothers, wherein they’ll be sleeping no less than 14 hours and wake up unrefreshed. This also makes the new mother acquire more weight even though she’s pursuing a thorough diet and workout strategy. It is because her body cannot effectively process the excess calories because of the modifications in metabolism. These symptoms can significantly affect the psyche of the new mother, possibly causing a postpartum depressed state characterized by feelings of sadness, anxiety, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, a sense of hopelessness, disturbance in appetite, mood swings and lack of interest in the baby.

Women that are pregnant who tested positive for antithyroid antibodies have between 33% to 50% likelihood of having lymphocytic thyroiditis after giving birth to the baby. Furthermore, a few researchers have found that the presence of these antibodies makes a pregnant woman 3 times more prone to obtain postpartum depression. This thyroid problem after maternity may be short-term, lasting for up to 6 months to a year. In spite of this, roughly one in five of women will develop permanent hypothyroidism that needs life long hormone remedy. The reason being the thyroid glands were too impaired as a result of hormonal imbalance or because the maternity activated an underlying case of autoimmune disease.