Thyroxine and Breastfeeding

[rozzibee]

Hi ladies

I was wondering if any of you could help me. I'm sure I saw on a thread here about someone who said they weren't able to breast feed because of being on thyroxine.

I had thyroid cancer and therefore had to have my entire thyroid removed, so I will be on thyroxine for the rest of my life. I am being tested every 4 weeks to see if my levels need changing throughout pregnancy, but no one has ever said anything to me about not being able to breast feed while taking it. I was just taking it as read that I would be breast feeding again as I did with my first (Although I still had my thyroid then though!)

Can anyone who is on thyroxine tell me what they know to be true?

Thanks

 

[lau86]

Sorry you've had cancer, I hope your better now. I'm on thyroxine only 50mcg tho but no one has ever mentioned not breastfeeding and I've seen the specialist after giving birth and told them i'm breastfeeding. So I don't think it's a problem, also it's only a hormone that the body would produce anyway so I can't see why you wouldn't be able to take it? Hope that helps x

 

[kermie219]

I do know that you need thyroxine to help produce milk...My thyroid was off with my daughter and I really struggled with supply issues and feeding was very difficult (still manged till aboutt 7 months but only as a comnination feed) I also had a loss at 16 weeks becuase of thyroid issues. This time around I've been seeing an endocrine specialist since 12 weeks and am on 125mg and that is after pregnancy. Breastfeeding this time around is much easier and I am producing loads of milk and I really believe it's because my levels are right. I would say keep up the regular checkups and blood tests and good luck! x

 

[cutie4evr01]

I agree as above. They will likely monitor your levels after pregnancy just as they are now, but you should be able to BF with no problems. I was on 75 mcg with DD1 and now take 112mcg with DD2 and I do have more milk this time but successfully BF DD1 until she was over 1, so it definitely is possible!

 

[DarlingMe]

Thyroxine is a synthetic form of a natural hormone so yes it is safe.