High Prevalence of Transient Post-Partum Thyrotoxicosis and Hypothyroidism

THE frequent occurrence of post-partum hypothyroidism associated with endemic goiter was described by Roberton in 1948.1 In general, however, post-partum hypothyroidism is thought to result from hypopituitarism.2 We have found that in Japan transient thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism or transient thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism often occurs after delivery in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases.3 , 4 Similar post-partum syndromes have been observed in Canada,5 England,6 and the United States.7 We suggested that the physiologic and immunologic changes associated with gestation might induce post-partum aggravation of autoimmune thyroid diseases, and speculated that a subclinical form of the disease might develop into overt disease after . . .