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This may explain my low supply issues all along...

HailsLyricsHailsLyrics
in Breastfeeding

I had my blood taken yesterday and my doctor called to tell me that I have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism.)

This probably explains why no matter what I've done I could never get my milk supply up enough to EBF (despite the last couple of days - I have a feeling my LOs appetite decreased from his 6-month shots.) And I had tried everything besides an SNS (supplemental nursing system.) Even with domperidone, I still typically need to supplement 4 - 6 oz daily. Sometimes more.

So, ladies who have had low supply issues all along please get your thyroid checked just to be on the safe side! Maybe if I had mine checked earlier I could have avoided these low supply issues.

Also, it's no wonder I had gained all my pregnancy weight back (I couldn't explain this) and am severely tired all.the.time. I'm now on medication. Hope it helps!

 

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Re: This may explain my low supply issues all along...

  • 0danielle00danielle0 member
    Poor thing. Better late than never! I had mine checked about a month ago and was almost disappointed when they said my levels were normal. It would have been so nice to find a "reason." Hope things start looking up for you now that you know what's going on. :)
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  • calico39calico39

    HailsLyrics, I have hypothyroidism as well and I think it is the root of my supply problems. (I also gained my pg weight back and was cold all the time)

    I did see a little bit of an increase after starting thyroid meds -- It wasn't enough to get completely off formula, but it really helped. But I think you are doing better than me before I started meds (I'm now 4-6 oz per day of formula) ?so maybe with meds you can kick the formula for good.?

    At the very least, you should start feeling LOTS better with thyroid replacement hormone. It also gave me some weird comfort to have a ?"reason" for my supply problem. It was really frustrating to hear people's solutions ?-- oatmeal, relaxation, water, dom., etc -- that did absolutely, absolutely ?nothing for me.?

    ?Oh and remember to get your thyroid checked regularly. Sometimes, you have to tinker with the meds to find the right dose for you.??

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  • HailsLyricsHailsLyrics
    imagecalico39:

    HailsLyrics, I have hypothyroidism as well and I think it is the root of my supply problems. (I also gained my pg weight back and was cold all the time)

    I did see a little bit of an increase after starting thyroid meds -- It wasn't enough to get completely off formula, but it really helped. But I think you are doing better than me before I started meds (I'm now 4-6 oz per day of formula)  so maybe with meds you can kick the formula for good. 

    At the very least, you should start feeling LOTS better with thyroid replacement hormone. It also gave me some weird comfort to have a  "reason" for my supply problem. It was really frustrating to hear people's solutions  -- oatmeal, relaxation, water, dom., etc -- that did absolutely, absolutely  nothing for me. 

     Oh and remember to get your thyroid checked regularly. Sometimes, you have to tinker with the meds to find the right dose for you.  

    Oh, it's nice to hear from someone with the same problem as me! My doctor started me on 0.05mg of eltroxin/levothyroxine. I was told it's a very small dose by the pharmacist. I'm going to be re-evaluated in 4 weeks by my doctor (she's having me get my blood taken again.) I was told I won't notice any differences until this time by the pharmacist... did it take 4 weeks for you to notice any difference in your symptoms?
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  • nycnolanycnola member
    So glad you had that checked and you should be so proud of yourself for working so hard for so long!
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  • Brandy1229Brandy1229 member

    I have low supply too and hypothyroidism.  My levels were not well controlled during pregnancy (I had 4 medication changes and couldn't get my TSH to pre-pregnancy levels) and I wonder if that effects my supply now, even though my levels are still in the good range.  

    I was diagnosed several years ago and the difference I felt after 2 months on levothyroxine was amazing!  You'll be feeling better soon :) 

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  • calico39calico39

    Sorry so late it replying. I felt better within a few weeks.

    I take .125 mg of Synthroid. I'm hoping this helps your supply issues. It didn't solve mine ( I think my body was just programmed to making less milk by then ) but it helped.

    I also have a history of thyroid issues (I only have part of a thyroid after treatment with radiation years ago)?

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