Postpartum Lab Tests: What to Check After Baby

The postpartum period is a time of significant physical recovery. Lab testing can help identify nutrient depletions and hormone changes that affect how you feel.

Why Postpartum Testing Matters

Pregnancy and breastfeeding deplete: - Iron - B vitamins - Vitamin D - Zinc - Omega-3 fatty acids

Hormones also shift dramatically after birth, which can affect mood, energy, and thyroid function.

The Postpartum Lab Panel

Essential Tests - Complete thyroid panel (postpartum thyroiditis is common) - Ferritin and CBC - Vitamin D - Vitamin B12 - Fasting glucose (if gestational diabetes)

If Experiencing Symptoms - Cortisol (if exhaustion is severe) - Hormone panel (if mood issues persist) - Comprehensive metabolic panel

Postpartum Thyroiditis

Up to 10% of women develop postpartum thyroiditis. It can cause: - Hyperthyroid phase (anxiety, racing heart, weight loss) - Followed by hypothyroid phase (fatigue, depression, weight gain) - Sometimes both, sometimes just one

Test thyroid if you have any concerning symptoms.

When to Test

Consider testing: - 6 weeks postpartum (routine checkup) - If symptoms develop at any time - Before discontinuing breastfeeding - When periods return

References

• Stagnaro-Green, A., et al. (2011). Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the diagnosis and management of thyroid disease during pregnancy and postpartum. *Thyroid*, 21(10), 1081-1125.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2018). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 233: Anemia in pregnancy. *Obstetrics & Gynecology*, 138(2), e26-e50.