Dear All: We know that thyroid malfunction is common in the postpartum, and that it can have an impact on milk supply. Here's a new research study: *Study Finds Link Between Preeclampsia and Reduced Thyroid Function* Women who experience preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy, may have an increased risk for reduced thyroid functioning later in life, report a team of researchers from the National Institutes of Health and other institutions. The analysis combined two separate studies which each suggested a link between preeclampsia and reduced thyroid function. In the first study, women who developed preeclampsia were more likely to have slightly reduced thyroid functioning during the last weeks of their pregnancies. The second study found that women who had preeclampsia during their pregnancies were more likely to have reduced thyroid functioning more than 20 years after they had given birth, when compared to women who had not had preeclampsia during pregnancy. The study authors advised physicians treating women with a history of preeclampsia to be aware that this group of patients may be at increased risk for reduced thyroid functioning. Funding for the research was provided in part by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, both of the NIH. "The findings suggest that the possible development of hypothyroidism is a consideration in patients with a history of preeclampsia," said Susan B. Shurin, M.D., acting director of the NICHD. "Reduced thyroid functioning is easy to diagnose when suspected, and inexpensive to treat. Replacement therapy substantially improves quality of life of affected persons." The study appears in the November BMJ, the publication formerly known as the British Medical Journal. Its lead author is Richard J. Levine, M.D., M.P.H., a senior investigator in NICHD's Division of Epidemiology, Statistics, and Prevention Research. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ warmly, Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI craniosacral therapy practitioner www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome