Thyroid Research Thyroid Research Archive Postpartum Thyroid Disease

Postpartum thyroid disease is not associated with postpartum depression

(March 2002)

The background of the study. From 5 to 10 percent of women who deliver babies have postpartum thyroiditis, with transient hyperthyroidism, transient hypothyroidism, or both, within one year after delivery. Postpartum women are also at increased risk for depression. This study was done to determine if the two disorders are related.

How the study was done. The study subjects were 641 women with no thyroid disease. They were evaluated at the time of delivery and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after delivery. At each evaluation, the women completed a standard test for depression (the Beck Depression Inventory), and their thyroid function was determined by measuring serum thyroid hormones and thyrotropin. Postpartum thyroiditis was defined as transient biochemical hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism during the first 6 months after delivery.

The results of the study. Overall, 56 women (11 percent) had postpartum thyroid disease. Sixty-one women (10 percent) had a high score on the Beck Depression Inventory. Eleven (2 percent) were confirmed by a psychiatrist to have postpartum depression and 50 (8 percent) had lesser psychological disturbances (depressive disorder, anxiety). There was no relation between postpartum thyroid disease and high Beck Depression Inventory scores or postpartum depression; the mean scores were very similar in the women with postpartum thyroid disease and the normal women at all times.

The conclusions of the study. Women with postpartum thyroid disease do not have an increased risk of depression.

The original article. Lucas A, Pizarro E, Granada ML, Salinas I, Sanmarti A. Postpartum thyroid dysfunction and postpartum depression: are they two linked disorders? Clin Endocrinol 2001;55:809-14.