[Anonymous March 1, 1997 at 1:06 am Post count: 93172]

#1056766

Sorry if my words come out squished together–it’s ’cause I havethis disease called Graves’ (I love telling people that, it sounds so…well, fatal). No, actually it seems to be a computer problem. Thanks to all who wrote to me about nursing a baby while on PTU. I’minsisting on testing the baby, which none of the doctors mentioned.I can’t wean her because she’s recovering from open-heart surgery, isway underweight, and refuses cups and bottles. I put off any treatmentfor my Graves’ for several months, but now she’s stronger. Hercardiologist, my endo, and a pediatric endo all told me to take the PTU,and her cardiologist says she will recognize any signs the baby is hypo–but we will have her tested, too. Another question: I’ve been on PTU for two weeks, and feel better,but _now_ my hair is falling out. It wasn’t before I was treated. Couldthis mean I’m hypo now? Thanks, Abigail

[Anonymous March 15, 1999 at 1:40 am Post count: 93172]

#1164321

I was recently diagnosed with grave’s disease. My baby is 17 months old. I have decided and am in the process of weaning her. She is nursing only 1 time per day now. I have not yet started the PTU, I was hoping to wean her more quickly so she would not receive any of the drug. Has anyone nursed and taken PTU at the same time? Did you have you baby’s thyroid monitored along with yours? I am very concerned about subduing my babies hormones when they are so critical to her exponential growth at this time in her life.

[Anonymous March 15, 1999 at 9:29 am Post count: 93172]

#1164322

I nursed for about 4 months (my baby was 6 months old when I was diagnosed with Graves disease) while on PTU. I had to go through 2 doctors to find an endo who would allow me to be on ATDs for the graves because he was my last baby and I refused to quit nursing early. I nursed him until he was 10 months old with no problems whatsoever. I was on a very low dose (I believe less than 25 mg.) of PTU but it’s been 4 years and my memory is shot these days so I’m not sure of the dose but the endo was very aware I was nursing and had no problem with it. We never checked my baby’s thyroid – he’s never had a problem with anything and is now 4 years old and very healthy (sometimes too healthy!) I went on to remission after about 1 1/2 years on PTU.

Good luck and good health,
Sherry M.

[Anonymous March 15, 1999 at 11:06 am Post count: 93172]

#1164323

There have been people who continued to nurse their babies while on antithyroid drugs, Cherie, but the drugs CAN affect the baby’s thyroid. Hypothyroidism in a developing child can be a very bad thing, so the baby’s thyroid levels would need to be monitored, from what I’ve read. Check with your pediatrician to get good medical advice. It may depend upon how much PTU you are taking, etc. whether or not it would be adviseable to discontinue nursing.

Bobbi

[Anonymous March 15, 1999 at 12:07 pm Post count: 93172]

#1164324

Hi–I nursed my baby while taking PTU, when she was exclusively nursing. I was taking 300 miligrams a day, and I took it for about six months. I kept an eye out of symptoms in her, and I had her blood tested once (my idea–neither my doctor nor hers thought it was necessary.) She was fine. I’m nursing another baby now, and back on PTU after a two year remission. I haven’t had him tested yet–I won’t unless I see something that worries me. Best wishes, –Abigail

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