Breastfeeding and overactive thyroid

[tb73]

Does anyone have any experience of breastfeading while having an overactive thyroid?

I was just told tonight over the telephone by my GP that I have it and he is going to refer me to a specialist. Just wondered if anybody else has any experience of it?

I knew I wasn't right and have 9/10 of the symptoms, cried with relief when the GP said that I did have it, as I have felt like I am going slowly mad!!!

All advice gladly received.

I think there are some drugs for overactive thyroid you shouldn't take if you are breastfeeding but some are ok - the doc will be able to confirm this for you.

As a long time suffered of overactive thyroid let me sympathise with your symptoms - hopefully you'll get on some medication very soon and you will feel better and more on an even keel. Happy to talk further if you want to.

Hi,

THANK YOU for your message. I read that it can take up to two years to get better?

I have been feeling VERY tired yet unable to sleep at night, rapid heart beat, blurry eyes, tearful, quick to anger, no motivation ... I could go on!

On the plus size, I can eat a family size trifle (and that's just the start) and remain a size 6!!!

It sounds like you have had it for some time, has medication not sorted yours out?

Hello again! Yes it can take a while to get the balance right with the medication. I was an unusual case in that I was diagnosed as a child aged 9 which is very rare and I spent a month in hospital on bed rest due to rapid heart beat, heart murmur, blood pressure through the ceiling etc. Was on meds for 9 years then when I was 18 it righted itself and I was taken off the meds. When I was 24 I felt the symptons coming back and went back on the meds for another couple of years then it went back to normal again and (touch wood) been ok ever since. Every when I was pg nothing changed.

I have, however had a benign tumour on thyroid which was totally unrelated to the previous thyroid disease and had half my thyroid removed about 5 years ago. I have regular blood tests now and so far so good.

That's so young to get it isn't it? That month in hospital must have felt like a year for you.

Glad you are better now - will you have to have blood tests forever?

Has anybody else in your family had it? My mother had it when she was younger and apparently it can have a genetic link.

I had it when I was pg and went on meds. It righted itself IIRC just before I gave birth. If you can take some meds whilst pg(and I was taking them from only about 6 weeks pg)surely there must be some safe enough to take whilst bfing? I would've fought to bf even if I'd have been on meds still...

tb73 - my aunt and great-aunt both had it and had surgery for it many years ago.

Yes, my month in hospital was like being in prison, especially the bed rest, using a wheelchair etc - it was weird because I could walk but wasn't allowed to. Hard to understand when you are 9. Also I remember being scared at night. I do have fond memories of my mum and dad bringing me little jigsaws to do and my dad would bring me a box of chocs (very grown up).

Anyway, I hope you get referred quickly and feel better soon.

Thanks Kbear, I have my appointment next week, super-fast because of the breastfeeding.

Solo, I think that the meds you get might depend on the cause of the problem. From what I have read, some causes are easier to treat than others. I'm hoping for the easy treatment!

How do they determine what the cause could be?! I was on something totally not pronouncable! they always shortened it to PTU. I have to go and have my 6 monthly blood test this month.

There is the possibility that the overactiveness is temporary and may swing to underactive, which is quite common and happened to me. Glad they are referring you to a specialist, they will hopefully consider the bfing in how they decide to manage it.

I had it after my first 2 children ( touch wood hasnt kicked in after 3rd and she was 1 yesterday). Like you, with the first, thought I Was going mad adn wasnt diagnosed until she was about 9 months, but had already stopped feeding. With 2nd child, the thyroid kicked in post-birth v quick and they had to keep increasing my drug dosage. When it got to a certain level, the baby was going to have to have regular blood tests toi check his thyroid, adn I didnt want to do that, so I stopped bfing at 12 weeks (disappointed, but thought better evil iyswim)

Still bfing NO 3 though - yeah

Solo, they sometimes do a scan or can often tell by looking at your neck (if you have a 'goiter' that is a lump), sometimes it's nodules on your thyroid gland (little lumps) but there are other causes too. As for PTU, follow this link cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?Propylthiouracil

Bumperlicious, I have read that and hope that might be the case, although dd is one next week - not sure how long this would take. I can't wait to see the consultant and start something to make me better!

AFter taking drugs, both times mine OT returned to normal, so hopefully this will be the same for you. I also have another friend who had postpartum overactive thyroid and hers returned to normal too.

That would be great dewmeadow and your message gives me hope. I have enjoyed the family sized trifles but it's the other side effects I can't cope with.

My friends all think it's the answer to their prayers!

Well - I lost weight v quickkly after no1, but (and how unfair is THIS?) after no2 I didnt get that particular symptom!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 year after no3 adn still no symptoms and still to lose 2 stone, but Id rather have that! I Was afraid Id have to have surgery or radiation or something.

Yes, I think I'd rather have a few extra pounds than feel like this. I don't like being skinny, I never have (probably because I was so skinny at school and was teased for it). I also have a great pair of jeans I want to get back into!!!

I'm another person with an over active thyroid on PTU. It is worrying that I may not be able to breast feed - for obvious health reasons for the baby - also aware that at 41 I don't want to have to get up in the middle of the night to make bottles!!
I was told the other day by the consultant that when you take PTU you need to be on it for a minimum of a year - but that the clock stops during pregnancy and the year doesn't start until you deliver. I can't believe I have to be on this drug for at least 20 months. I too feel like I'm going mad sometimes.

Fishymonkey - I have been told that I have to stay on the medication for 18 months, I think this is quite standard. I am still breastfeeding (DD will be 19 months this month) and DD is doing just fine and I haven't had any problems at all. The madness has abated as have lots of the symptoms so I am feeling much, much better now. My main problem seems to be my eyes.

Good luck - if you want to chat please feel free to message me.

there is lots of info here on kellymom

i have been bf with thyroid disease for nearly 5 years ( two different children) so its perfectly possible

once your levels are sorted and your symptoms go you will be fine, even if you have to take the meds forever. honestly you forget you have it