For those who are temporarily hyperthyroid with significant symptoms that require treatment, beta-blockers are typically given to relieve some of the symptoms of the hyperthyroid stage. More radical treatments -- antithyroid medications, RAI, etc. -- are not done for post-partum thyroid problems because it's not always known if the situation will be permanent.
And an important thing to remember: once you've had an episode of postpartum thyroid problems, you are more likely to develop a thyroid problem again during a period of stress, a subsequent pregnancy, or during perimenopause/menopause.
Mary Shomon, About.com's Thyroid Guide since 1997, is a nationally-known patient advocate and best-selling author of 10 books on health, including the "Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Success", "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss," "Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know," "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism," "Living Well With Autoimmune Disease," and "Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia." Click here for more information on Mary Shomon.
This article last updated April 20, 2006
