Abstract: In his Review (Jan 24, p 303),1Brockington I Postpartum psychiatric disorders.Lancet. 2004; 363: 303-310Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (422) Google Scholar Ian Brockington does not address the role of hypothyroidism caused by postpartum thyroiditis in postpartum psychiatric disorders. Postpartum thyroiditis hypothyroidism causes an increase in depressive symptoms and depression scores.2Harris B Fung H Johns S et al.Transient post-partum thyroid dysfunction and postnatal depression.J Affect Disord. 1989; 17: 243Summary Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (79) Google Scholar, 3Pop VJM de Rooy HAM Vadar HL et al.Postpartum thyroid dysfunction and depression in an unselected population.NEngl J Med. 1991; 324: 1815Crossref PubMed Scopus (97) Google Scholar Moreover, depression related to the course of hypothyroidism and to positivity for thyroid antibodies is seen more often in women with postpartum depression.4Harris B Othman S Davies JA et al.Association between postpartum thyroid dysfunction and thyroid antibodies and depression.BMJ. 1992; 305: 152Crossref PubMed Scopus (209) Google Scholar Hypothyroidism should be considered in the diagnosis of patients with postpartum depression because treatment with thyroid hormone can result in clinical improvement.5Mandel SJ Burrow GN Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease during pregnancy.in: 4th edn. Endocrinology. vol 3. W B Saunders, Philadelphia2001: 2446-2463Google Scholar Postpartum psychiatric disordersAuthor's reply Full-Text PDF