Thyroid Scan

lckytabby3

I posted this on the Breastfeeding board but thought I would see if any of you had any insight.  

Has anyone had this done while breastfeeding?  I have to have this done next week and everything I read says I can't breast feed for those days but when I asked the doc she said it was fine to breastfeed. I am calling the pedi today to get his opinion but wanted to see if anyone had any experience with this.  She has taken the bottle some with formula but not a lot and never at night.  I can pump a little but not enought to get her through 2 days.  I have a high lipase problem so even if I set it back my milk could go bad and I think the bigger problem will be she will want me not the bottle.  So nervous. 

Please tell me your experience.  What can I expect?

CMM05

Is it a scan, like an MRI or just thyroid testing??

They normally just do thyroid testing through blood work......unless they see something more and want you to do an MRI??

 

lckytabby3

I have to go for the scan, they already did the bloodwork.  They are thinking postpartum hyperthyroid but they want to make sure.  I have to take the radioactive iodine.

krissyh21

They can scan your thyroid is several different ways. I have u/s for my thyroid. They also sometimes use radiation. I would double check on how they are planning on viewing it and then see if that particular way is safe for breastfeeding or not. 

ETA - I just saw your follow up post. You are ingesting the iodine, and I would think you would want to hold off on breast feeding.  

Sunshine05

lckytabby3:

I have to go for the scan, they already did the bloodwork.  They are thinking postpartum hyperthyroid but they want to make sure.  I have to take the radioactive iodine.

Hope you don't mind me butting in here from IF.  I had to take the radioactive iodine in the past.  It's some serious stuff, so I can't imagine how you could breastfeed.  They have high standards on even using the bathroom or being near people.  You're not supposed to be close to people for more than an hour or two a day for something like a week.  I can't see how you'd be able to care for an infant.  The radiation comes out through your urine and your sweat, so you can't be close with people... especially children and the elderly.  You have to use one bathroom, flush multiple times, make sure to wipe everything down each time when you're done and wash your hands really well.  I ate off disposable plates/utensils as well.  Even when I traveled 2 weeks later, I set off their radiation detectors at the airport... thank goodness my doc had given me a note just in case.  I would read up on it here, but I think you might want to make alternate care plans for your LO...

 https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/radioactive-iodine-for-hyperthyroidism

MarksGrrl

Sunshine05:

lckytabby3:

I have to go for the scan, they already did the bloodwork.  They are thinking postpartum hyperthyroid but they want to make sure.  I have to take the radioactive iodine.

Hope you don't mind me butting in here from IF.  I had to take the radioactive iodine in the past.  It's some serious stuff, so I can't imagine how you could breastfeed.  They have high standards on even using the bathroom or being near people.  You're not supposed to be close to people for more than an hour or two a day for something like a week.  I can't see how you'd be able to care for an infant.  The radiation comes out through your urine and your sweat, so you can't be close with people... especially children and the elderly.  You have to use one bathroom, flush multiple times, make sure to wipe everything down each time when you're done and wash your hands really well.  I ate off disposable plates/utensils as well.  Even when I traveled 2 weeks later, I set off their radiation detectors at the airport... thank goodness my doc had given me a note just in case.  I would read up on it here, but I think you might want to make alternate care plans for your LO...

 https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/radioactive-iodine-for-hyperthyroidism

What you're thinking of is radio iodine ablation for the thyroid, not a general scan.  With a scan you're not ingesting the same type of iodine and don't have to be concerned about limiting your contact with people, etc.

As far as the scan goes I would double check with the radiology department that will be doing the scan to find out exactly what you'll be taking, its half-life and whether or not you can BF with it.  The scan itself is no big deal, you literally just lay there and let them scan your neck.  Mine took all of half an hour or so.

GL!

Sunshine05

MarksGrrl:

Sunshine05:

lckytabby3:

I have to go for the scan, they already did the bloodwork.  They are thinking postpartum hyperthyroid but they want to make sure.  I have to take the radioactive iodine.

Hope you don't mind me butting in here from IF.  I had to take the radioactive iodine in the past.  It's some serious stuff, so I can't imagine how you could breastfeed.  They have high standards on even using the bathroom or being near people.  You're not supposed to be close to people for more than an hour or two a day for something like a week.  I can't see how you'd be able to care for an infant.  The radiation comes out through your urine and your sweat, so you can't be close with people... especially children and the elderly.  You have to use one bathroom, flush multiple times, make sure to wipe everything down each time when you're done and wash your hands really well.  I ate off disposable plates/utensils as well.  Even when I traveled 2 weeks later, I set off their radiation detectors at the airport... thank goodness my doc had given me a note just in case.  I would read up on it here, but I think you might want to make alternate care plans for your LO...

 https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/radioactive-iodine-for-hyperthyroidism

What you're thinking of is radio iodine ablation for the thyroid, not a general scan.  With a scan you're not ingesting the same type of iodine and don't have to be concerned about limiting your contact with people, etc.

As far as the scan goes I would double check with the radiology department that will be doing the scan to find out exactly what you'll be taking, its half-life and whether or not you can BF with it.  The scan itself is no big deal, you literally just lay there and let them scan your neck.  Mine took all of half an hour or so.

GL!

Okay, I was wondering why they weren't concerned about her breastfeeding and caring for her LO if she was taking the radioactive iodine... didn't realize this was only the scan.  I'm not sure how that would affect things, but I would imagine that it could enter your milk supply.  Definitely check with your endocrinologist, as they should have the best information for your situation.