Good morning ladies! I was just looking through the posts this morning on my BMB, and I have already seen two comments from women who were diagnosed with hypothyroidism and had trouble breastfeeding. So clearly, as a FTM that has had hypothyroidism for the past 2 years, it did make me start to wonder the effects of hyphthyroidism on breastfeeding. Obviously I'm going to talk to my OB about it at my next visit, but I wanted to hear from your experience as well. Those of you who have gone into pregnancy with hypothyroidism ~ did you have any trouble BFing? Those who developed it after pregnancy ~ what was your experience?
FWIW, my thyroid levels have not changed at all during this pregnancy - I haven't had to increase or decrease my dosage of Synthroid (alternating 0.05 MG and 0.075MG every day).
Re: Hypothyroidism and breastfeeding
I've had no problems. My synthroid needs did increase through my pregnancy - I went from .05 slowly up to .1. Post-pregnancy, I had my levels checked every few weeks (I want to guess at about 2,5,and 8 weeks pp). My dose went down to .05, and now I'm also alternating the .05 and .075.
Get your bloodwork done and stay on top of your dose, and it should be fine. It's only an issue if your thyroid hormones are out of whack.
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I just made sure to get my TSH levels checked every couple of months while pregnant. My levels spiked once but then were back under 3 without changing my dose. I just had to take it earlier in the morning and not get lazy and eat right after! I didn't have any supply problems my milk came in the day after DS was born and we're still going strong at 7 1/2 months EBF.
I think only untreated or extremely severe hypothyroidism causes the problems you hear about. If you are on that low of a dose you will be fine just get it checked frequently and watch how you feel.