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
