[StacyA]

#1059611

Just wondering if the sudden and severe hypothyroidism will cause the milk to dry up. Yet another wonderful factor …. ugh…

I’m not at the surgery level yet as I’m attempting to buy time to nurse more on the methimazole but of course nothing about grave’s is simple so who knows how the buying time on meds idea is going to pan out. So if I need surgery will my supply just drop? I know hypothyroidism often leads to poor supply…how about an entire thyroidectomy?

[snelsen]

#1176148

I have all good news for you from my experience. Had a baby, breastfeeding, Graves’ diagnosed when he was 3 months old, was on PTU not MMI, is only difference, milk supply never changed. Continued to feed during prep for surgery, the dose is very small (not like people take for exposure to radiation at the nuclear plant in Japan.) Fed him before surgery, my mom gave him a bottle of saved breast milk during and after surgery, then I was feeding him again. No problems at all.
Shirley

[snelsen]

#1176149

Forgot to address your ? about hyPOthyroidism. When I was taking ATD’s, my endo watched carefully, me too, to be sure I just got to a safe place from hyper, but did not feel it was at all necessary to plunge me into a hypo state. It may happen,but with frequent labs and careful observation of how you are feeling, I don’t think it needs to happen. But I do not have any idea of being hypo and milk supply

[StacyA]

#1176150

Thanks again!! When was your surgery? I’m confused, it sounded like you were also talking about radiation?.

[snelsen]

#1176151

Easy to understand the confusion. You may not realize it yet, but part of the prep for a thyroidectomy is to drink a few drops of Potassium Iodide in a glass of water, usually 5-7 days before the thyroidectomy. It shrinks the gland, and decreases the vascularity which is helpful for the surgeon.
I did not have radiation at all. That is wha I was referring to.
And, I had my surgery DECADES ago! But the experience is the same.
I think Alexis (adenine) had surgery and know she was breastfeeding, so check her posts.
Shirley

[StacyA]

#1176152

Yep you’re right, I didn’t know that! Can you nurse after you drink that?

[snelsen]

#1176153

yes, I did. I checked with my pediatrician, he said fine. Most literature says to check with a doctor. I am sure you could find a doc somewhere, who might say not to breastfeed.
If a woman gets pregnant while taking it, you should stop immediately.
There are some other reasons for taking it, most primarily related to a nuclear accident, to protect the thyroid gland, and perhaps death. Different subject. And, of course, the dose is completely different.

Taking KI (potassium iodide) has been a routine pre-op prep for at least 60, 70 years, before a thyroidectomy, and nothing has changed about the regimen.

[adenure]

#1176154

Hi

Yes, I breastfed after surgery. I took the SSKI potassium iodine drops for 7 days before my surgery. My pediatrician told me not to breastfeed during that time (I know Shirley did though). My pediatrician said that the drops do effect the baby’s thyroid, but that it is unknown whether it is temporary or could have a lasting effect. So… I pumped and dumped with a hospital grade pump for 7 days- ugh! I did it though and was able to breastfeed after surgery and, 6 months post surgery, I am still breastfeeding my now 13 month old! So, yes, it can be done!

Like Shirley, I never went very hypo at all. I was started on 100 mcg. of brand Synthroid on day 2 after surgery. Six weeks later, my labs showed a TSH of. 6.35 ish, so I was upped to 112 mcg. 2 weeks later my TSH was down to .78 or so and 2 months later around .69. So, I never really went very hypo at all and my supply was not effected. The general anesthesia DID essentially dry me out completely for 24 hours (at least it felt like that!) But, I just pumped and nursed a whole lot for a day and nursed constantly after that and was fine. It isn’t easy, but if nursing is important to you, you can do it. Shoot, you’ve braved the Graves journey thus far, you can handle the surgery and the breastfeeding (even if you temporarily wean for the SSKI drops). That was, admittedly, a very difficult week for me. It was really sad as I didn’t know what would happen, but my little pumpkin was very happy to be breastfeeding again after that week, and it was a wonderfully amazing moment to be nursing again. Good luck to you!

[snelsen]

#1176155

A comment to Alexis and to anyone else it may mean anything to hear.
Feeding my babies was one of the most wonderful experience of my lifetime.
With all three of them, it was a magic time, when I, Shirley, was THE PERSON who was (by my choice) keeping the alive,and providing essential nourishment for them. I firmly believe that people who choose not to nurse, or those who cannot for one reason or another, are just fine, and their babies are equally fine.
But. I would not exchange this experience for much of anything in my whole life, except the whole process of pregnancy and delivery. I liked it a lot. My Graves’ diagnosis, when I FINALLY got it, was called “post partum thyrotoxicosis.” I was super crazy toxic and hyper when my baby was three months old. My heart and soul go out to all of those on this forum who have the experience of Graves’. It is really, really difficult.

Alexis, I remember now that you did pump and dump. Forgot that. That must have been very, very hard to do.
Shirley

[adenure]

#1176156

Shirley,

I completely agree. Breastfeeding is amazing, and it is completely understandable why we moms will fight tooth and nail to continue nursing through the most difficult times in our lives! So many don’t understand it (especially those who have not nursed a baby). Yes, a baby needs a healthy mother first and foremost, but if it can be accomplished while breastfeeding, we’ll figure out a way! It’s more than just food, it’s a connection, and (as I told my mom), I have enough crappy hormones zipping through my system, I want to have the good hormones from breastfeeding going through my mind and body! Oxytocin is a big “feel good” hormone and relaxer that those of us with Graves really need: to relax and feel good! I wasn’t about to let go of that aspect of it if I didn’t have to!

Yes, pumping and dumping was hard. It was hard breastfeeding my little guy for his nap and knowing that after that nursing and snuggle time, I would not be able to nurse him for 7 days . Wondering if he’d want to nurse again after that week- along with the stress of prepping for the surgery and trying to stay calm for it (all the while off my ATD’s and hoping my hormones would stay in check). It was stressful. I pumped and dumped every 3-4 hours for 7 days. But, it was so very worth it.

[StacyA]

#1176157

I’m praying like a mad woman I can keep taking the MMI and it works, because I don’t really think I can wean for a week…. not yet… ugh… I thought surgery was going to prevent having to wean, even temporarily …. this isn’t the best news..very depressing. Thanks for the info. I wonder if I have to wean for that week…. going to need to research.

[snelsen]

#1176158

I suggest contacting a pediatric endocrinologist to discuss this. Also, the surgeon. The number of days that surgeons want us to take KI varies a bit.In all we do, we want to do the right thing and best thing for ourselves and our baby. Other than myself, I know of others who have breast fed through the KI pre op for a thyroidectomy, with the agreement of the pediatric endocrinologist on this issue. Yes, do explore all of it yourself, with the docs involved in your care and the care of your baby. There is a good chance that there is not a unanimous opinion, on the other hand, perhaps, as time has evolved, there is a consensus to refrain from breastfeeding while taking KI.
Shirley

[StacyA]

#1176159

What’s the exact.chemical you take the week prior? Thanks!

[adenure]

#1176160

SSKI drops- potassium iodine. Here is a link. Note the next to last paragraph:

…Because potassium iodide has significant risks associated with its use, particularly in breastfed infants and newborns, mothers should avoid using it if at all possible.” Dr. Thomas Hale- he is a noted physician in the area of studying medications and breastmilk. He has classified medications based on their safety for nursing infants (L1, L2, L3 & L4 classifications). He has done extensive research and studies; so, he is one to be trusted.

http://www.infantrisk.com/content/potassium-iodide-radiation-exposure

Again, ask your pediatrician to be sure.

[snelsen]

#1176161

SSKI stands for SUPER SATURATED Potassium Iodide. That is what is given before a thyroidectomy. This is NOT the same deal at all, as the potassium iodide (KI, K is the chemical symbol for potassium) And “I” is iodide (not iodine.)
Giving KI after a nuclear attack is such a different thing than taking SSKI.
Cause the pre op dose is very very dilute, i.e., saturated.
So, I can’t agree that the reference Alexis gave is helpful.
All the article refers to pregnant and nursing mothers in a nuclear attack. So much so, that it addresses that babies should also receive potassium iodide in this situation.

Of course, check with your pediatrician, but be sure they really know, or consult with colleagues. I know for an absolute fact that not all pediatricians
agree on this topic. Mine said fine, so I did, abeit a long time ago. But my neighbor down the street consulted extensively about this, and docs and mom were comfortable with taking SSKI and breast feeding.

If a ped says to refrain from nursing, I am sure that it is more comfortable for mom and doc to follow the way Alexis did it, with pumping and dumping. But not all pediatricians do say that.

I think you would enjoy reading her (Alexis) posts during this time.

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