Could it be postpartum thyroiditis? Look out for these signs:
Megan Haralampou 2 min read

Could it be postpartum thyroiditis? Look out for these signs:

PPT often gets missed because the symptoms overlap with the chaos of new motherhood—but here’s what to keep an eye on:

Early phase (typically 1–4 months postpartum – hyperthyroid dominant):

  • Heart palpitations

  • Anxiety or nervous energy

  • Insomnia despite being exhausted

  • Weight loss (unexplained, not just breastfeeding-related)

  • Irritability or mood swings

  • Feeling “wired but tired”

I will mention here some women feel completely normal or may just present with some “baby blues”

Later phase (4–7 months postpartum – hypothyroid dominant):

  • Fatigue that sleep doesn't fix

  • Brain fog or forgetfulness

  • Feeling flat, teary or low

  • Constipation

  • Dry skin or hair loss

  • Struggling to lose weight no matter what you eat or do

Many women experience both phases—a rollercoaster of energy spikes and crashes.

📅 When to Test for Postpartum Thyroiditis

Knowing when and how to test can make a huge difference in catching thyroid issues early—before they spiral into months (or years) of feeling off.

✔️ Preconception

  • Test: TSH, TPO & Tg antibodies

✔️ First Trimester (<12 weeks)

  • Test: TPO & Tg antibodies + TSH

  • TPO & TgAbs should be ≥ 60% of the reference range and TSH < 1.5 

✔️ Third Trimester (32 weeks)

  • Retest antibodies

✔️ Postpartum (2–7 months)

  • Test: TPO & Tg antibodies + TSH and continue to monitor them post-partum

🚩 Who’s Most at Risk of PPT?

  • Personal history of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD)

  • Type 1 diabetes

  • Systemic lupus (SLE)

  • Family history of thyroid or autoimmune conditions

  • Previous postpartum thyroiditis

  • Positive thyroid antibodies in pregnancy

🌿 Supplements to Support & Protect Your Thyroid

If you have positive antibodies or any of the above symptoms, here’s what may help reduce your risk—or support your recovery:

  • Iodine: only through food

  • Selenium: 200 mcg/day

  • Inositol: 600 mg/day

🚫 Avoid iodine supplements postpartum unless deficiency is confirmed and even then only get through food.

If you’ve been feeling “off” since giving birth—and you can’t shake the brain fog, the exhaustion, or the anxiety—please don’t brush it off as normal.

Postpartum thyroiditis is real, common, and treatable. The key is testing at the right times and starting support early—ideally even before symptoms show up.

💛 Want support? I offer preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum blood test panels with clear guidance so you don’t have to guess what to ask for.

Much Love, 

Megan

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