POSTPARTUM THYROIDITIS AND GRAVES-DISEASE

BACKGROUND: The postpartum period is characterized by a rebound in aut oimmunity secondary to immune tolerance induced by pregnancy, creating favorable conditions for flare up of Craves' disease or autoimmune th yroiditis. Postpartum thyroiditis is a recoignized clinical entity. CA SE REPORT: Six years after onset of Craves' disease treated with antih yroid drugs, a 25-year-old woman had a high serum level of antithyrope roxidase antibodies a few months before she became pregnant Six weeks after delivery, she developed signs of hyperthyroidism and goiter. The diagnosis of postpartum thyroiditis was retained. Her condition regre ssed spontaneously to euthyroidism then hypothyroidism. DISCUSSION: Th e therapeutic options involved underline the importance of distinguish ing between Craves' disease and postpartum thyroiditis. The diagnosis of postpartum thyroiditis is based on history taking, clinical finding s, and laboratory tests, especially isotope uptake.