for someone

[JoannaZ]

who has total thyroid removal when breastfeeding the baby is it safe to take levo early in the morning? or after breast feeding the baby..in general how safe is for a newborn when mum takes levo can too much levo pass through the milk and hurt the baby?

[NWA6]

Hey JoannaZ, Congrats on the new bubba 🤗 it’s my understanding that Levo or natural thyroid hormones don’t pass through breastmilk in very large quantities but it’s absolutely important that you make sure you keep yourself optimally treated throughout BF because you need a healthy level of thyroid hormones in order to keep up the production of milk. I wish I knew this when I had mine as I really struggled to feed. I managed it but it seems my poor milk flow and production might have been caused by a not yet diagnosed under active thyroid.

I was going to say I’m amazed that your midwife/HV hasnt advised you but why would I be surprised? Everyone seems so blasé about the actually importance of thyroid production and health as if they don’t understand just how vital these hormones are 😔

[shaws Administrator]

This is an excerpt and it is safe:-

"7. Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Levothyroxine is generally safe to take in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

In fact, it's important to carry on taking levothyroxine throughout your pregnancy. Having too low or too high levels of thyroid hormone in pregnancy can cause problems for you and your baby.

You'll need to have regular blood tests during pregnancy to make sure you're on the right dose of levothyroxine for you and your baby. Most women need to take a higher dose of levothyroxine than usual while they're pregnant.

Levothyroxine and breastfeeding

It's generally safe to breastfeed while you're on levothyroxine. Thyroid hormones pass into breast milk in very low levels that are too small to affect the baby.

If you're breastfeeding, it's important that you continue to take levothyroxine. Your body needs good levels of thyroid hormones to make enough breast milk to feed your baby.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

[Yppah]

Cant comment on the specific question, and know you’ve had replies to give the info you need, but thought would mention in general the Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk Information Service. There’s a really good Facebook page and also a website with factsheets. It’s run by a lady who is a pharmacist and has done loads of research. If the info is not in the factsheets you can ask her via the Facebook page (assuming still works like this, but not used it for a few years). And, congrats.

[JoannaZ]

thank you all