Postpartum hypothyroidism in an iodine deficient population
Kumar, A.; Takkar, D.; Ammini, A.C.; Karmarkar, M.G.; Buckshee, K.
National Medical Journal of India 4(5): 216-218
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0970-258X PMID: 29783607 Document Number: 371554
Thyroid dysfunctionin the postpartum period may be related to iodine deficiency, have an immunological basis or may follow thyroiditis. We investigated thyroid dysfunction in a community with a low dietary intake of iodine to assess its prevalence and modes of presentation. One hundred women attending the postnatal clinic of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, from Delhi and its surrounding areas, were screened for post-partum thyroid dysfunction with triiodothyronine, tetraiodo-thyronine and thyroid stimulating hormone estimation at one, three and six months after parturition. Thirteen women developed hypothyroidism after parturition. One of them recovered by the sixth month. There was no demonstrable thyrotoxic phase in any of these patients. Postpartum thyroid dysfunction presents solely as hypothyroidism in our patients and may be related to their low dietary intake.