Preventing post-partum thyroiditis naturally
Concerned that your thyroid may cause issues after birth? This is known as post-partum thyroiditis, and it’s not an uncommon condition.
Like many health concerns for a new mother, it is usually temporary. However, in some cases it could lead to a long-term thyroid disorder. That’s why I recommend taking steps to reduce your risk of developing post-partum thyroiditis.
What is post-partum thyroiditis?
Post-partum thyroiditis (also known as a post-partum thyroid flare) is when inflammation occurs in the thyroid gland within 12 months after giving birth.
This flare causes the thyroid to swell and can throw off the production of thyroid hormones. This usually begins as producing too much thyroid hormone – hyperthyroidism. However, it can develop into too little thyroid hormone – aka hypothyroidism.
This can result in thyroid-related symptoms such as:
Weight loss or weight gain
Intolerance to cold or hot temperatures
Fatigue
Depression and anxiety
Slow or rapid heartbeat
Digestive changes such as constipation or diarrhoea
Although the condition is usually temporary, you will have a higher risk of developing ‘permanent’ thyroid disease. Your doctor may recommend yearly thyroid function tests to monitor for this.
What increases the risk of post-partum thyroiditis?
10% of women will experience this condition, as it can be triggered by the post-partum hormone rush. However, some risk factors can greatly increase your chances of developing this health concern.
The biggest risk factor? Thyroid antibodies. And it doesn’t even matter if you’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s or Graves’ – if there are antibodies, your risk goes up to a whopping 50%. That’s why I often recommend testing for thyroid antibodies during pregnancy, even if you don’t have a known thyroid condition.
Other risk factors include:
Previous post-partum thyroiditis
Family history of autoimmune thyroid disease
Personal or family history of any other autoimmune disease (as we know, they often go hand in hand!)
How can I reduce my risk of post-partum thyroiditis?
Even if you’ve had this condition before, there are steps you can take to minimise the risk of it happening again. Let’s take a look at some simple steps to get you started.
Start as early as you can – ideally, during preconception!
How you prepare your body can make a big difference to your thyroid function during pregnancy and post-partum. So if you’re concerned about your risk of post-partum thyroiditis, start as soon as you start planning your next baby.
I go into further detail on this in another blog, but to give you an idea:
Have a moderate carbohydrate intake – too little can put stress on the thyroid and increase your risk of low thyroid hormones, but too much can be a problem if you’re tending towards an overactive thyroid! So stick to a moderate level of carbs in the diet, with a heavy focus on fruits and vegetables along with wholegrains, beans and legumes.
Balance your blood sugars – this not only keeps your energy steady and your appetite in check, but it also influences your stress and thyroid hormones. So ensure you’re eating a balanced plate of protein, healthy fats, colourful fruit/veggies and complex carbohydrates.
Manage your stress – I know, it feels like I talk about this in every article! But we know how toxic chronic stress can be for your thyroid function. So get a handle on your stress earlier, rather than trying to juggle it all throughout pregnancy and post-partum.
Take action to ensure a healthy pregnancy
Once you are pregnant, you also want to keep yourself and your little one as healthy as possible. Of course, this can be a challenge once you add in things like morning sickness and chronic conditions, but do the best you can.
If you already have a thyroid condition when you fall pregnant? I’ve got you covered – read this if you have Hashimoto’s, or this if you have Graves’. And if you’ve had a total thyroidectomy, you’ll also want to check this out.
Prioritise those antibody levels throughout the process!
As your antibodies are the greatest risk for post-partum thyroiditis (not to mention the only one you have influence over!), that needs to be the number one focus.
Reducing antibodies is not a one-size-fits all approach though. Depending on the drivers of your thyroid concern, it could include:
Removing food intolerances and triggering compounds such as gluten
Nourishing the gut microbiome through food and/or specific strain probiotics
Reducing mental and emotional stress
Improving sleep quality and quantity wherever possible
Eliminating sources of environmental and household pollutants/toxicants
Addressing causes of inflammation within the body (this may include other health conditions or chronic injuries)
THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS
When you receive a thyroid disease diagnosis, there’s a good chance you’ll feel overwhelmed and powerless. It could even be that you’re not clear on what’s driving it or where it came from!
But even if you’re still uncovering the cause, it doesn’t mean you need to suffer the symptoms forever! Your daily habits can make a massive difference – all you need to do is learn about your condition and empower yourself.