THYROID-FUNCTION AND THYROID ANTIBODIES DURING PREGNANCY AND THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD

During more than 2 1/2 years T3, T4 fT4, basal TSH and antibodies against thyroglobulin, against thyroid microsomes and against the TSH-receptor were determined in an unselected sample of 360 women from Giessen and 112 women from Kiel. While moderate iodine deficiency in both regions disturbed thyroid function during pregnancy, exacerbation of (latent) autoimmune thyroiditis appeared to be of significance after delivery. Prevalence and concentration of esp. microsomal antibodies rose several months postpartum. During one year postpartum 3.9% of the whole sample were biochemically dysthyroid. As in addition only a third of them were antibodypositive and most cases remained subclinical the demanded determination of microsomal antibodies as a screening-test for "Post-partum-Thyroiditis" cannot be supported.