Ep. 322: Postpartum Psychosis & Thyroid Disease: The Warning Signs Every New Mom—and Family—Needs to Know

What happens when the exhaustion, anxiety, insomnia, mood changes, and brain fog of new motherhood signal something far more serious?

The Lindsay Clancy trial has brought this issue to the forefront, and in this important episode, we take a closer look at postpartum psychosis—a rare but potentially life-threatening psychiatric emergency—and the often-overlooked role thyroid health can play in the postpartum period.

We’ll break down the warning signs that distinguish postpartum psychosis from the baby blues and postpartum depression, including hallucinations, delusions, extreme confusion, mania, rapidly shifting moods, and an inability to sleep.

We’ll also explore why thyroid testing belongs in a comprehensive evaluation when a postpartum woman is experiencing dramatic changes in mood, thinking, sleep, or behavior. Postpartum thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s, Graves’ disease, and other thyroid disorders can cause symptoms that overlap with psychiatric conditions—and research has found an association between postpartum psychosis and autoimmune thyroid dysfunction.

We’ll discuss the thyroid tests clinicians may consider, including TSH, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies, while emphasizing a critical point: an abnormal thyroid result does not make a psychiatric emergency a thyroid problem.

Most importantly, this episode is about recognizing danger signs and knowing what to do. If a postpartum person is hallucinating, expressing delusional beliefs, severely confused, unable to sleep for an extended period, or talking about suicide or harming a baby, emergency medical and psychiatric care is needed immediately. We’ll discuss how partners and family members can respond, why sleep and safety planning matter, how psychiatric and thyroid care can work together, and what women with thyroid disease or a history of thyroid autoimmunity can do before and after pregnancy to be better prepared.

🎤Listen now! This is a conversation that could help someone recognize a crisis—and potentially save a life.

LEARN MORE

Postpartum Psychosis and Thyroid Disease: Symptoms, Testing, and Emergency Care

https://www.palomahealth.com/learn/postpartum-psychosis-thyroid-disease-symptoms-testing-emergency-care

ABOUT PALOMA HEALTH

⁠⁠Paloma Health ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is an online medical practice focused on treating hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, perimenopause, menopause, and hormonal weight gain. From online visits with your provider to easy prescription management and lab orders, we create personalized treatment plans for you.

Become a member⁠, or try our at-home test kit and experience a whole new level of hypothyroid care. Use code PODCAST to save $30 at checkout.

Disclaimer: The $30 discount is only valid for first-time Paloma Health members and test kit users. Coupon must be entered at the time of checkout.

Become a Paloma Member

https://www.palomahealth.com/pricing-hypothyroidism

Paloma Complete Thyroid Blood Test Kit

https://www.palomahealth.com/home-thyroid-blood-test-kit

JustLabs - Direct to Consumer Lab Testing

https://justlabs.health/