THYROIDITIS AFTER PREGNANCY LOSS

We present a case series evaluating the development and characteristic s of thyroiditis following pregnancy loss. Five women were followed pr ospectively with measurement of thyroid Function and antithyroid antib odies after pregnancy loss. Serum TSH concentrations were measured by immunoradiometric assay and antithyroid antibodies by RIA and hemagglu tination techniques. All women had normal serum TSH concentrations bef ore conception or at the time of pregnancy loss, and all but one had p ositive antithyroid antibodies. Pregnancy loss occurred between 5-20 w eeks gestation because of ectopic pregnancy or either spontaneous or e lective abortion. Two women had subclinical hypothyroidism with peak s erum TSH values of 8.7 mU/L and 5.4 mU/L at 2 and 7 months after pregn ancy loss, respectively. Three women had clinical hyperthyroidism with serum TSH values less than or equal to 0.2 mU/L diagnosed between 3-1 1 months after pregnancy loss followed subsequently by a hypothyroid p hase. Painless thyroiditis within 1 yr of pregnancy loss in these wome n suggests that the immunological changes of a short-term gestation ma y be sufficient to lead to thyroiditis.