Abstract
Post-partum thyroiditis (PPT) is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland, which occurs in the first year after parturition. This study was designed to evaluate sonographic characteristics in a group of PPT patients in Tehran. The study group consisted of 119 PPT patients and 97 normal post-partum women as the control group. Physical examination of thyroid and ultrasonography were carried out monthly in PPT patients until remission for up to 12 months post-partum and 65 patients were followed-up until the end of the study. Visible goiter was detected in 21.8% of patients and 6.7% of the control group (p<0.001 ). Hypoechogenecity in thyroid sonography was present in 98.5% of patients and 7% of the control group (p<0.001 ). Initially mean thyroid volume in PPT patients was found to be 77% more than that of the control group. After remission, mean thyroid volume decreased by 25% in PPT patients. At 12 months after delivery, only 6 patients had abnormal thyroid function tests, while 4 patients with TSH>10 mU/l still showed hypoechogenicity in thyroid sonography. In conclusion, sonography may be recommended as an adjuvant to laboratory tests in evaluation of PPT patients.
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Shahbazian, H.B., Sarvghadi, F. & Azizi, F. Ultrasonographic characteristics and follow-up in post-partum thyroiditis. J Endocrinol Invest 28, 410–412 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03347219
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03347219