Assessment of serum thyroid hormone autoantibodies in the first trimester of gestation as predictors of postpartum thyroiditis.

Background: Measurement of serum thyroperoxidase autoantibodies (TPOAb) during gestation as a classical marker for the risk of postpartum thyroiditis (PPT) predicts PPT in 1/3 to 1/2 of women. Very few studies have measured serum thyroid hormone Ab (THAb) during gestation, and none as a possible marker for PPT.

Methods: In 412 women who were followed up from 7 to 11 weeks of gestation through 12 months after delivery, we measured THAb (T3.

Unexpected Elevated Free Thyroid Hormones in Pregnancy.

Background: The use of thyrotropin and free thyroid hormone assays to evaluate thyroid function is widespread, but in some situations the results are inconsistent with the patient's thyroid status.

Summary: A 35-year-old woman with a known diagnosis of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis was referred to the authors' clinic at week 26 of her second pregnancy. The patient was clinically euthyroid.