VIDEO: New thyroid dysfunction presenting postpartum can be easy to miss
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In this video exclusive, Nicole Gomez, MD, talks with Caroline T. Nguyen, MD, about diagnosing and managing thyroid dysfunction in the postpartum period.
Gomez is assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal and fetal medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. Nguyen is assistant professor of clinical medicine, obstetrics and gynecology in the division of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism also at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. She is also a Healio | Endocrine Today Editorial Board Member.
After delivery, “the immune system rebounds from a period of relative immunosuppression during the pregnancy itself so a lot of autoimmune conditions can show up in the postpartum period, including thyroid conditions,” Nguyen said.
Thyroid symptoms of fatigue and weight may be misattributed to normal life with a new baby, Nguyen said.
The most common thyroid dysfunction during this period — affecting 5% of pregnant women — is postpartum thyroiditis. Although the condition is generally self-limiting, women may want to treat symptoms, which can be disruptive for many months, Nguyen said.
For more information:
Gomez and Nguyen are speaking on this topic and more as part of the USC Jorge H. Mestman Endocrine and Pregnancy Symposium taking place in person and virtually Feb. 24.
Register for the symposium at keckusc.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=5&EID=7185.