hello, new here

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2006
hello, new here
4
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 4:27pm

Hi,

I just found your board and wanted to talk about my situation.

I am dealing with a hyperthyroid right now.
I am five months post partum. I noticed that my hair was falling out excessively, so my GYN ran a TSH, and sure enough, .01. I had my first visit with the endo last week, after my GP called her after running a full series of tests to get me in with the doc sooner,and have been prescribed PTU. I am breastfeeding my son. I'll be going back for more labs mid May. I have no family history of thyroid problems. Is this something that will go back to normal after some time? Is PTU really safe for breastfeeding?
I am glad that someone listened to me and did not tell me I am hormonal.
Thanks for listening,
Catherine

http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2006
In reply to: monmuse
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 5:27pm

"Can I breastfeed while taking antithyroid drugs like Methimazole, Tapazole, or PTU, as a treatment for hyperthyroidism / Graves' Disease?

Methimazole (Tapazole) may cause thyroid suppression and goiter in nursing infants. Most doctors would advise that this drug not be used, or if it were required, careful monitoring of the breastfeeding infant's thyroid function would be needed, at intervals of every three months, at minimum, while the mother is on antithyroid drugs. According to the RxList drug information database online, "postpartum patients receiving Tapazole should not nurse their babies." (Reference.)

Whether or not a nursing mother with Graves' Disease or hyperthyroidism should take the antithyroid drug propylthiouracil (PTU) is controversial. Some doctors believe that PTU use by a nursing mother, with regular monitoring of the infant's thyroid function, is safe. They recommend careful monitoring of the breastfeeding infant's thyroid function every three months while the mother is on antithyroid drugs, but because low amounts of PTU cross into the milk, they feel that it is safe for the infant.

Breastfeeding educators believe that mothers should continue to breastfeed, believing that women should continue breastfeeding, have their babies regular monitored. Their argument is that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh taking breast milk with a little PTU, as long as you can monitor the baby's levels.

A July, 2000 study in the journal Pediatrics, however, found that more than one-third of pediatricians and endocrinologists still advise against breastfeeding for those mothers taking PTU, despite some current journal research claiming it is safe. (Read abstract of "Choice of Breastfeeding and Physicians' Advice: A Cohort Study of Women Receiving Propylthiouracil," Pediatrics. Vol. 106 No. 1 July 2000, pp. 27-30.)

Despite studies showing the safety, some doctors are not convinced that breastfeeding should be encouraged in women taking antithyroid drugs. They cite concerns over potential nonthyroid side effects of antithyroid drugs, for example, autoimmune disturbances. For example, autoimmune disorders such as lupus and arthritis can be a rare but serious complication of antithyroid drugs. "

Found on http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/breastfeeding.htm

Ultimatly, don't just take the word of a website when it comes to a child's health, call the Dr. But they have been a pretty consistant source of good information.

Saying "I can't" is a bad word at my house.-Adrienne
anonymous
Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: monmuse
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 9:48pm

Hi Catherine,


Welcome to our board.


Twinmommyplus2 has given you some good information regarding your question.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2006
In reply to: monmuse
Wed, 04-25-2007 - 9:15pm
Hi Ladies,
Thank you for your information. My doc does think that my pregnancy brought on the condition. I had to go on meds because my resting pulse was 118.
I investigated many journals and an article by Dr. Jack Newman, (guru of breastfeeding, that states PTU is safe for breastfeeding.
I had an ultrasound today, and am due for labs in a couple of weeks. I am hoping things level off so I can get off the meds. I wouldn't even take them if it wasn't for my hair falling out...I could not take my hair falling out so much so I cut 8 inches off today, it is so thin now!
Catherine
http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2004
In reply to: monmuse
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 5:34pm

From what I understand, docs are mixed on breastfeeding and PTU. They almost started me on it during my last pregnancy. But because one doc sent another doc labs from a lab he isn't used to using, it turned out my numbers weren't as bad as he had thought (different ratio numbers or something...). So they decided to not start me on anything until after I stopped nursing baby boy I was pregnant with. All of that to say, I was also nursing my daughter while pregnant with baby boy. So in those few short days when we thought I was going to start PTU while preggo, my OBGYN, pediatrician, and endo all said to continue nursing baby girl. I did have to take baby nursling in for blood work. Her thyroid levels were normal. They were going to end up doing blood work every three months. But like I said, we never had to go down that road.

Best of luck to you.