Postpartum thyroiditis — SCE Endocrinology MCQ

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ModerateThyroidPostpartum thyroiditisSCE Endocrinology

A 32-year-old woman is 4 months postpartum and presents with palpitations and anxiety. TSH is <0.01 mU/L, free T4 is 28 pmol/L, TSH receptor antibodies are negative and thyroid uptake is low. She has no eye signs and a small non-tender goitre. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: A — Postpartum thyroiditis

Postpartum thyroiditis causes destructive thyrotoxicosis with low uptake and negative TSH receptor antibodies, often followed by hypothyroidism. Graves' disease would more often have antibody positivity and increased uptake. The pearl is that antithyroid drugs are not useful for destructive thyroiditis.

Reference: NICE NG145, BNF