Effects of Too Much Thyroid Hormone on Breast Feeding Babies

I also have a 5 week old. I am on thyroid replacement. My doctor told me, that is not a problem to breast feed.

Hi K.
I would definitely speak with your doctor so that you get accurate information. As long as you are taking the correct doseage, there should be no reason why you should not breastfeed. You are simply replacing what is missing, NOT taking something "extra".
J.

talk to the endocrinologist but as far as i remember, i was told no breastfeeding. I could be wrong. it's been years, but that is what i remember. ask the doctor

I was advised against breastfeeding while taking Thyroid replacement. I wouldn't take the chance.

Not sure what you are on but here is a chart from Kellymom that may be of help. http://kellymom.com/health/meds/aap-approved-meds.html#Th...

Thyroid hormone is a natural element, my doctor said there is no effect at all. If you do not get enough you will feel like a train wreck from being so tired so try not to skip a dose!

I've got to wonder how long ago those who were told not to breastfeed that advice was given. I'd guess some time ago. Which is a shame. I've been breastfeeding for almost two years without issue even though I'm on 150 mcg of thyroxine and took the extra hormone while pregnant. I don't have a thyroid (had it removed prior to becoming pregnant) so I have to take the meds. My OB and primary are well aware of this as well as the nurses and doctors in the hospital when I was admitted three times (thanks to a HUGE ovarian cyst that's since been removed). Not a one of them said I could not breastfeed. It was encouraged that I continue breastfeeding or pumping even though I was in the hospital by the maternity staff since I stayed on that floor. One of the OBs at the practice I go to also told me that comparatively, very little that we put into our bodies trickles into breast milk. It's one reason they allow moms who've had C-sections to breastfeed despite the pain killers they're taking.

To say that it could be harmful seems a stretch. How is it any different taking the pills than your body naturally producing it? Either way, it's simply a replacement of a naturally occurring hormone. If your body would naturally produce the hormone(if functioning properly) then how does that make a difference to a breastfed baby that's getting the same hormone passed over through its mother's milk? Whether naturally occurring or through medication, there would STILL be a cross-over, even though slight.

Hopefully you've talked to your doctor about this since you posted last week. And hopefully your doctor well-informed and can explain about the potential cross-over and its affects. I would imagine the small amount your baby does get, if anything, would cause your baby's thyroid to adjust its production accordingly. No harm, no foul. I'd hate to see you stop nursing over ignorance. As I've said I've been doing it for two years almost and my son is healthy, happy, and almost too smart for his (and our) own good!

I was told by my doctor that he wouldn't recommend breatfeeding cause there is a good chance that the meds will go through the milk. If the baby has a healthy thyroid and you are adding meds to them it COULD damage their thyroid. So I didn't want to take that chance so I didn't breastfeed. Some people I know did but I couldn't take the chance so opted not too. For me it's better safe then sorry. Everyone has their own opinions but I decided not too. Call and ask your doctor what he/she thinks. Every doctor is different. All you can do is ask YOUR dr. Good Luck!!