Case Report

Simultaneous Occurrence of Postpartum Hypopituitarism (Sheehan's Syndrome) and Transient Resolving Thyrotoxicosis Due to Postpartum Painless Thyroiditis

Authors: HARUKA SASAKI, MD, HIROSHI SHIJYO, MD, PIETRO CUGINI, MD, TERUKAZU KAWASAKI, MD, MAKOTO OKUMURA, MD

Abstract

POSTPARTUM HYPOPITUITARISM (Sheehan's Syndrome), first described by Sheehan1 in 1937, is characterized by various degrees of anterior and/or posterior pituitary dysfunction due to pituitary necrosis after obstetric shock or hemorrhage. The signs and symptoms of Sheehan's syndrome are of variable severity.Pregnancy seems to have a profound effect on thyroid function, not only during gestation but also post partum. This relationship has been documented, and evidence from several studies has shown that postpartum thyroid dysfunction is of autoimmune origin.We report a case of Sheehan's syndrome associated with transient postpartum thyrotoxicosis due to painless thyroiditis. The simultaneous occurrence of these two disorders has not previously been reported.

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References