Hypothyroidism normally occurs when the body produces insufficient thyroid hormones needed for body metabolism. Thyroid hormones are produced by thyroid gland which is located at the base of the throat.

Postpartum hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland affecting women after childbirth. It normally occurs between 3-8 months after childbirth and is characterized by an inflamed thyroid gland. Research has shown that between 5-10 percent of women develop this disorder after childbirth, and has been identified as the major cause of postpartum depression in most women.

The cause of this condition still remains unclear but the following types of women are at risk of developing postpartum hypothyroidism. These include women with a family history of thyroid diseases, with history of miscarriages, suffering from diabetes and arthritis, suffering from infertility, with high levels of cholesterol and those suffering from goitre

Symptoms vary in every woman depending on the type of risk factors. Thee followings are some of the symptoms of this condition;

• Depression
• Weight gain
• Constipation
• Slowed heart rate
• Hair loss
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Fatigue
• Hoarse voice
• Dry skin

If you are at risk of developing postpartum hypothyroidism or diagnosed with this disorder, you need to consult your doctor for appropriate treatments. Treatment varies from one individual to another and depends on age, health and medical history of patient and severity of disease. A blood test normally carried out to measure the level of thyroid hormone, thyroxine or T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Treatment normally involves the use of synthetic or natural thyroid hormone medication prescribed by doctor.

Apart from medications, you can improve your thyroid by modifying your diet. You need to incorporate certain foods into your regular diet in order to control this disorder. These include foods that are rich in iodine. Iodine is an important trace mineral needed by thyroid gland to function properly. Fish, seaweed, seafood and iodized salt are good sources of iodine. Others include selenium and tyrosine rich foods. They are all essential for proper functioning of thyroid gland. You should also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables regularly, and make sure to drink plenty of water everyday. This will help you to lose weight associated with hypothyroidism.