I'm not a mystery anymore LOL (updated 27/11/08)

[Jennifer13]

Not sure if it's any help, but good ol' Wiki says:

Hypothyroidism can result from postpartum thyroiditis, a condition that affects about 5% of all women within a year after giving birth. The first phase is typically hyperthyroidism. Then, the thyroid either returns to normal or a woman develops hypothyroidism. Of those women who experience hypothyroidism associated with postpartum thyroiditis, one in five will develop permanent hypothyroidism requiring life-long treatment.

So apparently after giving birth you might have hyperthyroidism that turns into hypothyroidism, which you already know you have. Does that help? (Doesn't mean you're not still special though!)

[{sarah}]

Hmmm very interesting Jen. I googled & couldn't come up with anything, so thanks for that

[Jennifer13]

Since your google is not cooperating I tried postpartum hypothyroidism and got the Thyroid Assoc in Australia - they have an article on this: Post Partum Thyroiditis.

[{sarah}]

Yay thank you

ETA: Just looking at it, the timing is all wrong. If it was post partum thyroiditis I should either be over it or onto the hypothyroid part of it by now (being 4 months post partum). I will keep this in mind though for my specialist appointment in two weeks. My biggest concern i if they want to do the radioactive iodine test. My friend had thyroid cancer a few years ago & had to the the RAI test a few weeks ago, she wasn't allowed near anybody (incl not sleeping in the same bed as her fiance) for a week & then gradually built up contact with people over the next week. How would I be able to do that????? No BF Juliette & I wouldn't be allowed near either kids for at least 10 days minimum. Let's just hope it doesn't get to that.

[Trillian]

Bugger about it getting worse and not better for you hun

Maybe even though you're out of the typical 'window' for it, that they may not be hard and fast rules for having it kwim? Definately something there for you to ask about in the very least. I am crossing fingers that you wont have to do the test either - I couldn't imagine how hard it would be for you to not be able to feed miss J.

[diva det]

I had Thyroiditis a few years ago and would go from over-active to under-active.
Thyroiditis is caused by a virus in the thyroid. This was dx as my thyroid levels were not in the norm.
I had to have a radioactive test to check out my thyroid and all came clear so that it why it was dx as thyroiditis rather than hyper or hypo. I didnt have to stay away from my kids etc afterwards, but could see why b/f could be an issue. The dye test told be that it was a virus that caused the issues. It was either going to be a virus, graves disease or a goitter that was the culprit! As no sign of the last two- it was seen to be a virus.

Thyroiditis is a virus that attacks the thyoid. I was under a endochronoloigst for 18 months whilst i was suffering with it. Regular monitoring of levels, which fortuately didnt get bad enough to go on meds, but my levels did swing from one end of the scale, to the other.

Is it possible that your thyroid condidtion has been caused by a virus as well??
The dye test is the only way of knowing why your thyroid goes hyper or hypo unfortunately, so maybe is maintenance time until you stop b/f.

Good luck and stay well!!

odette

[{sarah}]

Thank so much Odette, I'm glad to know I'm not really such a mystery after all if someone else has had the same thing I have no idea if it would have been caused by a virus, I don't recall being sick in August last year, being poked & prodded for IVF, but not any viruses that I can recall. I'm glad to hear you were allowed to be near the kids after the RAI test, that was my biggest worry, though maybe they did a stronger version for my friend because they were checking if she was still in remission from thyroid cancer.