Résumé
Objective To investigate the association of serum leptin (LEP) levels during the first postpartum year with the occurrence of postpartum thyroiditis (PPT).Methods Fifty-seven PPT patients consisted of 34 with overt PPT and 23 subclinical PPT.37 healthy postpartum women were used as controls.Serum samples were obtained at 4 postpartum date points,i.e.3-days and 3,6,12-months postpartum.LEP level was determined by radioimmunoassav.Results Compared with control women,PPT patients were maintaining significantly higher levels of LEP and LEP/body mass index (BMI) ratio during the first postpartum year.There was no significant difference in serum LEP level or LEP/BMI ratio between overt PPT and subclinical PPT groups.In PPT patients,LEP and LEP/BMI ratio were negatively correlated with serum TSH,and positively correlated with serum FT4 and FT3.Conclusion Sustained high levels of serum LEP after delivery may favor the occurrence of PPT.Further studies are needed to clarify the specific role played by LEP in PPT.