Postpartum thyroiditis is defined as an exacerbation of autoimmune thyroiditis during the postpartum period (1). Patients do not develop thyroid autoimmunity at the onset of postpartum thyroiditis, but have ‘subclinical autoimmune thyroiditis’ beforehand which is exacerbated after delivery. Typically an exacerbation induces destructive thyrotoxicosis followed by transient hypothyroidism. However, various types of thyroid dysfunction may occur, including Graves’ disease. Therefore, any kind of thyroid dysfunction observed during the postpartum period, is referred to as ‘postpartum thyroid...

Postpartum thyroiditis is defined as an exacerbation of autoimmune thyroiditis during the postpartum period (1). Patients do not develop thyroid autoimmunity at the onset of postpartum thyroiditis, but have ‘subclinical autoimmune thyroiditis’ beforehand which is exacerbated after delivery. Typically an exacerbation induces destructive thyrotoxicosis followed by transient hypothyroidism. However, various types of thyroid dysfunction may occur, including Graves’ disease. Therefore, any kind of thyroid dysfunction observed during the postpartum period, is referred to as ‘postpartum thyroid dysfunction’.