Already taking thyroxine - have I got postpartum thyroiditis again?

[mrsmooms]

Four months after the birth of DS in 2011 I was diagnosed with postpartum thyroiditis which has never resolved, so I am now classed as hypothyroid and am taking levothyroxine daily. DM is also hypothyroid so runs in the family.

DD was born at the end of April this year and for the past month or so I have been feeling awful. Initially constant edginess and anxiety, hot sweats, palpitations, lightheadedness and loose bowels (sorry, tmi), which has now eased off somewhat but has been replaced by sudden weight gain that I can't account for (somewhere around 9 lbs in a few weeks I think), drowsiness, feeling cold, dry hair and so on.

This all seems very familiar but my GP never mentioned that postpartum thyroiditis could reoccur or that I should be looking out for it. My last blood test about 8 weeks ago showed a TSH just under the lower value in the 'normal' range, but that is usual for me as I seem to function best at that level. Had another one done a couple of days ago and am waiting for the results.

Just wondering really whether anyone else has experienced the same after a second, third or fourth pregnancy?? If so, did your thyroxine dose increase much and did it stay increased or did you end up going back to your pre-pregnancy dose?

[CarpeNoctem]

Thyroxine requirements usually increase in pregnancy, so it might have been that whatever level was working for you during pregnancy was too much when you gave birth. It sounds like your levels are normal for you at the moment so your body might have readjusted on its own. Or it could have been post partum thyroiditis again. If you still have your thyroid (ie haven't had surgery or RAI) then it's definitely a possibility. The hot sweats, palpitations and anxiety certainly sound like hyper symptoms. I don't think you'll ever know because the only thing that would have given you an accurate diagnosis would have been to get bloods done when you were having those symptoms.
Thyroxine requirements aren't set in stone. They can vary according to changes in your weight, pregnancy status, what other medications you take, as well as just varying on their own. Some people are lucky and their needs change really rarely (my mum has only had 2 dose changes despite being on thyroxine for more than 30 years). Other people need their doses tweaked more.

[digerd]

I went overactive after the birth of 1st child, but went undiagnosed for 4 years. Your initial symptoms after birth were like mine, but with drastic weight loss.
SIS went underactive after 2nd DC and had her Thyroxine dosage adjusted a few times in 30 years. She was lucky not to notice any symptoms .
Was originally on 150mcg, then reduced to 100, then to 75 and this year back up to 100, but felt no different.

[mrsmooms]

Thanks for your replies. I went back to my pre-pregnancy dose just before delivery so don't think that was the cause of the symptoms - saw GP today who confirmed TSH has started increasing again so suspects another bout of postpartum thyroiditis (explains my hyper symptoms and now weight gain) and has increased my thyroxine again, with a further blood test in 6-8 weeks. Maybe I'm one of the unlucky unstable people