Postpartum Thyroiditis The Thyroid Gland - 1612 Words

Postpartum Thyroiditis : The thyroid gland located in the lower front of neck is a butterfly- shaped endocrine gland. It produces thyroid hormones which help the body use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working normally. Postpartum thyroiditis is caused by anti – thyroid antibodies that attack the thyroid and cause inflammation. In United States, postpartum thyroiditis affect 5 -10% of women. Any women with autoimmune disorders, history of previous thyroid dysfunction, family history of thyroid dysfunction, history of previous postpartum thyroiditis are at risk of developing postpartum thyroiditis. The clinical course of postpartum thyroiditis includes thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism. The†¦show more content†¦It’s important to discontinue thyroid hormone replacement after 6-9 months, as most of them will regain normal thyroid function. Thyroid Function Tests: The thyroid’s job is to make thyroid hormones, which are secreted into the blood and the carried to every tissue in the body. The major thyroid hormone secreted by the thyroid gland is thyroxine, also called T4 as it contains four iodine atoms. T4 is converted to T3 (triodothyronine) by removal of iodine atom. It occurs mainly in liver and in brain. The amount of T4 produced is controlled by another hormone which is made in the pituitary gland located at the base of brain, called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The amount of TSH is in the blood depends on the amount of T4 that the pituitary sees. If the pituitary sees very little T4, then it produces more TSH to tell thyroid gland to produce more T4.When T4 in the bloodstream goes above a certain level, the pituitary’s production of TSH is shut off. The thyroid and pituitary act like heater and a thermostat. If it’s cold the thermostat reads the temperature and turns on the heater. Thus , the thyroid and pituitary, like heater turn on and off. T4 and T3 circulate almost entirely proteins, and when these proteins change their level in the blood, there is change in T4 and T3 levels. Test: Blood tests to measure TSH, T4, and T3 are used to evaluate the thyroid function test. TSH: The best way is to measure