Gillian Goddard

3 minute read Gillian Goddard

Gillian Goddard

How Long Will I Need to Be Medicated for Hypothyroidism?

Q&A on long-term meds

Gillian Goddard

3 minute read

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after my first child was born, and I have been taking medication for the past year to regulate my thyroid. Will I need to be on meds for the rest of my life?

—Anonymous

The short answer is maybe. It depends on what caused your hypothyroidism to begin with. The first year after pregnancy is a common time for women to develop new thyroid problems. This is related to how the immune system responds to pregnancy and delivery. 

There are two main causes of hypothyroidism in the first year after pregnancy. The first is called postpartum thyroiditis. In postpartum thyroiditis, the thyroid gland releases a bunch of thyroid hormone all at once, which leads to hyperthyroidism. Then, over several weeks, the body metabolizes that thyroid hormone. This leads to hypothyroidism. Often, after weeks or months, the thyroid will resume normal functioning on its own.

Kim Tatiana / Canva

Postpartum thyroiditis can occur anytime in the first year after pregnancy but, in my experience, often begins around four months postpartum. It’s common for a woman and her doctor to miss the signs of an overactive thyroid at the beginning of the process, because decreased need for sleep and weight loss don’t always stand out as problematic. But when hypothyroidism hits and a woman is feeling more fatigued and sluggish even as the baby sleeps for longer stretches, she will often talk to her doctor about her symptoms in hopes of feeling better. 

If postpartum thyroiditis is the cause of your hypothyroidism, you may be able to stop taking thyroid hormone. Several studies, like this one, have shown that about two-thirds of women will have normal thyroid function after postpartum thyroiditis. About one-third will remain hypothyroid. However, those who do recover normal thyroid function are more likely to have postpartum thyroiditis after future pregnancies and to develop permanent hypothyroidism later in life. 

The other common cause of hypothyroidism after pregnancy is Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, an autoimmune disease in which a subset of white blood cells attack the thyroid. As a result, the thyroid cannot make enough thyroid hormone. Unfortunately, in most cases of Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, the thyroid cannot recover normal thyroid function. There are rare cases of recovery reported in the literature. 

In either case, the only way to know if you still need to take thyroid hormone would be to try to stop taking it, or at least to try reducing the dose of thyroid hormone you take. If after a few months of not taking thyroid hormone, your levels are still normal, it would be reasonable to stay off it. However, you should discuss your particular situation with your doctor and try this only while your doctor is monitoring your thyroid levels. You should also not try to stop your thyroid hormone if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. 

The takeaway: Hypothyroidism after pregnancy may be due to postpartum thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Many women with postpartum thyroiditis will recover normal thyroid function. You can work with your doctor to test to see whether you still need thyroid hormone. 

Community Guidelines
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
a doctor with white overall and a stethoscope

Aug. 13, 2024

7 minute read

What is an Endocrinologist, Anyway?

People love to find a way to connect. This is what small talk is all about. And Americans love to Read more

Person getting their throat glands checked

Nov. 14, 2024

3 minute read

Why Is It So Hard to See an Endocrinologist?

Why is it so hard to see an endocrinologist? I recently saw my primary provider for fatigue and hair loss. Read more

A calender with question marks and a sanitary napkin with red glitters

Updated on Jan. 16, 2025

4 minute read

Why Are My Periods Irregular?

I’m 37 and it’s been nearly a year of very irregular periods. My last cycle was 88 days. You’ve written Read more

A person with closed eyes standing near a window

Updated on Jan. 16, 2025

3 minute read

What Is the Ideal Range for TSH?

I (a 35-year-old female) have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. When my TSH gets too high (even when it’s within normal range), I Read more