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Postpartum Thyroid Storm

Hashimoto and the Postpartum Period Are Far More Common Than You Think

 

Postpartum Thyroid Storm: Hashimoto and the Postpartum Period Are Far More Common Than You Think

The postpartum period is already a time of massive hormonal restructuring.
Emotional ups and downs, very little sleep, a new rhythm, a new life — and meanwhile your body is desperately trying to find its way back to balance.

But what happens if a thyroid issue went unnoticed during pregnancy?
Or if you already had Hashimoto, but suddenly, after giving birth, every symptom becomes dramatically worse?

The answer: postpartum thyroiditis.
And it is much, much more common than most women realize.

It affects 10–15% of all women, and 30–50% of women with Hashimoto.

What Is Postpartum Thyroiditis?

It is an autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid that develops 3–12 months after childbirth, and it typically comes in two phases:

  1. Hyperthyroidism (overactive phase) – too much thyroid hormone
  2. Hypothyroidism (underactive phase) – the thyroid becomes "burned out" from inflammation

The two phases may be separated by months, which is why many women feel "wired" one month and utterly exhausted the next.

Postpartum thyroiditis often does NOT cause visible swelling in the neck, but it does produce many disruptive symptoms.

Why Does It Occur After Giving Birth?

During pregnancy, the immune system naturally calms down to protect the baby.
After delivery, however:

👉 it suddenly reactivates,
and in many women this triggers an exaggerated autoimmune response against the thyroid.

Hashimoto antibodies (anti-TPO, anti-Tg) are often present even before pregnancy — just quietly, without symptoms.

Common Symptoms Often Mistaken for Postpartum Depression

Symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis overlap with:

  • postpartum depression
  • anxiety
  • "new mom exhaustion"
  • extreme fatigue
  • sleep deprivation

This is why it is very frequently misdiagnosed.

Hyperthyroid Phase (overactive thyroid) — around 2–5 months postpartum

  • rapid heartbeat
  • tremors
  • weight loss despite good appetite
  • excessive sweating
  • irritability
  • anxiety
  • insomnia
  • feeling "wired but internally overwhelmed"

Many doctors simply say: "This is normal, you have a newborn."
But it's not always normal — sometimes it's thyroid-related.

Hypothyroid Phase (underactive thyroid) — around 4–12 months postpartum

This is the phase in which most women feel truly unwell.

  • extreme fatigue ("as if my body were made of lead")
  • weight gain even with minimal food intake
  • dry skin
  • worsening hair loss
  • depressed mood
  • brain fog and forgetfulness
  • cold intolerance
  • low libido
  • menstrual irregularities

Most women believe this is postpartum depression — but very often it is hormonal.

Why Is It Dangerous If Not Recognized Early?

Untreated postpartum thyroiditis can:

  • lead to chronic hypothyroidism
  • worsen emotional and physical resilience
  • reduce fertility in future pregnancies
  • intensify Hashimoto activity
  • cause years of persistent fatigue

Who Is at Higher Risk?

  • women with positive anti-TPO before or during pregnancy
  • women who previously had Hashimoto
  • women with a family history of autoimmune diseases
  • women who had twin pregnancies
  • those with complicated deliveries
  • women under chronic stress (sleep deprivation, overload) — which is basically every new mom

Postpartum thyroiditis is NOT your fault.
It does NOT mean you love your baby any less.
And yes — it can also affect milk supply!
Milk does not "dry up" without a cause — if there is demand, the body produces supply.
If you have thyroid issues, it is especially important to pay attention to this.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Any time after childbirth, if you have symptoms, it's worth checking:

  • TSH
  • FT4
  • FT3
  • anti-TPO
  • anti-Tg
  • CRP (inflammation)
  • and if necessary: reverse T3, prolactin, ferritin

Thyroid levels can change rapidly postpartum, so testing every 6–12 weeks is often recommended.

How Is Postpartum Thyroid Storm Treated?

The good news: it is highly treatable when recognized.

During the hyperthyroid (overactive) phase:

  • heart rate control if needed
  • reducing inflammation
  • minimizing caffeine
  • stress reduction
  • adequate sleep (as much as realistically possible)
    And no — a few days of sleep deprivation will not make you sick.

During the hypothyroid (underactive) phase:

  • thyroid hormone replacement
  • correcting ferritin, B12, and vitamin D
  • anti-inflammatory eating
  • supporting ovulation and menstrual cycle recovery

Most women recover within 6–12 months — but women with Hashimoto have a higher risk of developing long-term hypothyroidism, so monitoring is essential.

Even women without Hashimoto often go through a mild version of this:
a temporary overactive phase followed by a drop in hormone levels.

What Can You Do to Prevent or Reduce Symptoms?

✓ Check your thyroid postpartum
(TSH, FT4, and anti-TPO at least once)

✓ Replenish key nutrients
Vitamin D, selenium, B12, ferritin.

✓ Support your gut
Inflammation often starts there.

✓ Reduce stress
Even 10–15 minutes of nervous system calming helps.
If you're not sleeping at night, try a short 10–15 minute nap after lunch — it can stabilize your system.

✓ Track your menstrual cycle
If, once it returns, it is irregular, heavy, or spotting occurs → hormonal signal.
If it hasn't returned yet due to breastfeeding, that is completely normal.

Summary: Postpartum Thyroid Storm Is Real, Common, and Treatable

You are not weak, not a "bad mother," not "too sensitive," and you may not have postpartum depression at all.

Postpartum thyroiditis is:

  • a normal immune reaction,
  • common in women with Hashimoto,
  • often misunderstood or misdiagnosed,
  • very treatable when detected early.

Your body is learning to find equilibrium again.
And honestly — I've been through this myself, and that postpartum hormone rollercoaster is steep.
No wonder your body has no idea which way is up.

Every small thing you do — sleep, nutrients, reducing inflammation, supporting hormones — brings you closer to stability again.

Reach out to me with confidence – I'm Edit Milisits, a gluten-sensitive mom of two through IVF and a conscious eater.As a nutrition consultant, I help you uncover the root cause of problmes and find the right solution together.