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Increased thyroid autoimmunity among women with multiple sclerosis in the postpartum setting
A Jalkanen1, M Saraste, A Gfeller
1Department of Neurology, Turku University Hospital, Finland.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|May 1, 2013
Summary
Multiple sclerosis patients show increased postpartum thyroid autoimmunity, but pregnancy outcomes and postpartum depression are not significantly affected. Screening for thyroid dysfunction is recommended during and after pregnancy for MS mothers.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is linked to thyroid abnormalities.
- Pregnancy-related thyroid pathology risk in MS patients is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate postpartum thyroid autoimmunity prevalence in MS patients.
- Investigate the impact of thyroid autoimmunity on pregnancy outcomes, postpartum depression, and fatigue in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 46 pregnant MS patients and 35 healthy controls.
- Repeated measurements of serum thyroid antibodies, clinical evaluation, and thyroid hormone levels.
- Comparison of results between MS patients and controls.
Main Results:
- 35.3% of MS patients had elevated thyroid antibodies postpartum vs. 5.7% in controls (p=0.01).
- Thyroid antibody levels decreased during pregnancy and peaked postpartum in MS patients.
- No significant difference in postpartum thyroid dysfunction, adverse pregnancy outcomes, fatigue, or postpartum depression between groups.
Conclusions:
- MS mothers have a tendency for postpartum thyroid autoimmunity, potentially influenced by treatments.
- Recommend screening MS patients for thyroid dysfunction (TSH) in early pregnancy and postpartum.
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