B/f while taking levothyroxine? Would be interested to hear others experiences - thanks!

[blondieminx]

Hi ladies. I'm currently 34 weeks with DC1 and have an underactive thyroid (which was pre-conceptual). I'd really like to breastfeed (and understand from my consultant that this is fine).

Are there any other underactive thyroid mums out there who would be kind enough to share their experiences with me? In particular how did you get on when it came to weaning?

Not sure why it would lead to problems with weaning tbh (specifically, off the breast or on to food?) I was on Levothyroxine when I had DD, and I fed her until she self-weaned just before she was 2. I didn't notice any particular difference between feeding her and her brothers (I developed hypothyroidism after having DS2) and as greenblanket says it's not something to worry about transferring. It's a replacement for a hormone that should be present anyway.

Good luck, and don't worry

I have hypothyroid. It was untreated when i fed my first, not treated well enough for feeding my second and is now, I suspect, over treated and i have been exclusively breastfeeding twins for nearly 4 weeks, i fed my other two until they self weaned. Hypo or hyper thyroid can cause low milk supply but this has never been a problem for me. He you are worried try pumping a lot during the early weeks of breastfeeding to give your supply a boost. Weaning shouldn't be a problem as levothyroxine is hormone replacement rather than a drug. Have you had a test for antibodies?

Thanks ladies. Yep have been tested for antibodies and am having consultant led care (shared by endocrine and gynae consultants) during this pregnancy.

Thanks for the tip about supply Curiosity, that's really helpful!

My worry about weaning was as to whether when you take away the thyroxine-laced breaskmilk as to whether the baby goes a bit lethargic? Also I'm a bit concerned that if the baby's thyroid is fine then feeding him/her milk with "extra" thyroid hormone (if you see what I mean) might make the baby a bit hyper.

Don't get me wrong, I really do want to breastfeed (I've already brought nipple cream and my first feeding bra) - but at the same time I want to make an informed choice about whether that really is best for the baby in this particular case!

Yes, thought so. You should be fine - technically there isn't any extra hormone because the levothyroxine is designed to top you up to a normal thyroid level. Where you are with proper treatment is where other people without hypothyroidism are as standard, the medicine just makes us normal.

If you have antibodies then it is possible the babies might be affected shortly after birth but the hospital normally check this with a couple of blood tests. I have antibodies and all four of my children (and my milk supply) have been unaffected. it might also be good to check your levels a couple of months after delivery to see if your medication needs adjusting.

Hypothyroidism can sometimes (tiny chance) increase your risk of haemorrhage after birth too so be careful not to do too much as activity can make postnatal bleeding worse. Don't worry. Hypothyroidism and the treatment for it have no effect on pregnancy, breastfeeding or weaning for most people.

Oh and P.S. Kamillosan or lansinoh are the only nipple creams that are worth it IMO and when I only had one baby I just wore my ordinary bras.

Take this & it should be ok with bf as it corrects the thyroid level to a normal range amount. You might need less than when preg but they should test for this.

Thanks ladies, that's really reassuring and I now feel more confident about it all [smile}

lansinoh is the one in my cupboard btw, glad I got a good one!