overactive thyroid and milk supply issues

Hi,

Was hoping to get some advice before heading back to the GP next week.

I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid last week, had a ultrasound and will be returning to the GP next week to get the results.

I have noticed over the last few weeks that my milk supply seems to be decreasing. The only way I can tell is that bubs (who is 4 months old) gets frustrated after feeding for only a few minutes on each breast, bitting and headbutting to encourage more milk to come in. He has only 3 slightly wet nappies a day and has lost approx 1kg over about 5 weeks. I was wondering if this had anything to do with my thyroid problem. He is still feeding every 3-4 hours during the day and I am not sup feeding him at all. I am concerned that he is hungry and I just don't know about it. Will be talking to the doctor on Wednesday about it. If I do have to go down the road of sup feeding I am looking at using a supply line in order to keep him at the breast so he is still getting breast milk and won't lose his sucking reflex and so that I can keep up my supply.

I feed DS1 till he was 19 months old with no issues at all.

Any advice, ideas, suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Tracey

Tracey, thyroid issues can affect milk supply. Sometimes mums in this situation are not able to fully bf. The Lactation Resource Centre (LRC) run by the ABA should be able to help you out with more information. I have read a lot about it but can't remember it all. I think there can also be an issue with the thyroid meds and bfing, but as I said, I forget the finer points. As well as the information from the LRC, a call to Dr Rodney Whyte at the Monash Drug Information Service - 03 9594 2361 from 9am to 5pm business days - would be a good idea to get the low down on the meds situation.

In the meantime, 3 wet nappies a day isn't enough. It sounds like you will need to supplement for now. It is more important to "feed the baby" at this stage. This is a tough decision for a mum to make, but sadly one of the issues many mums face with health issues like this. Babies of your son's age should be having at least 5 heavily wet disposables (6 - 8 pale, wet cloth nappies) in 24 hours.

Best of luck hun :hug:

Hi,
You've really had a tough time of it. It's a hard thing to accept when you breastfed your first child for so long and so well, that you might have to supplement this baby. A weightloss of 1kg in 5 weeks is concerning. I agree with Manta, you will need to supplement. Get in touch with your local ABA breastfeeding counsellor and ask them to help you with a supply line, and you probably need to do it sooner rather than later.
I hope this is a useful article - let us know how you go

Thanks for the quick replies,

Is is not possible to take MOTILIUM in this situation?

Thanks again,

Hi Tracey :hug:
If you have an underlying medical condition that is affecting your supply then motilium probably wouldn't do much good - you need to get the thyroid under control. It's certainly worth asking the question, but right now the priority is getting milk into your baby - if you can get the other issues sorted you may be able to ditch the forumula later.
Hope you can get some answers on your thyroid - are you feeling ok? Do you know how bad it is?
All the best :hug:

Marcellus - I don't know it bad it is yet, still undergoing further testing. After hearing that is was over active alot of things made sense.

Went to the useless doctor, not my usual one, will see her on Wednesday. Was basically told that she does not know of any relation between thyroid issues and breast milk production, tried to google it while I was there to see if she could find anything :o Told me that my milk is simply "drying up" and that I would need to look at formula feeding the baby. When I told her that I did not have any issues with my supply last time and that I feed DS1 until he was 19 months she was shocked and told me that all babies are different! She reluctantly gave me medication to see if that would help with the supply.

I did go and get the formula and feed hims some through a syringe as I am waiting for my supply line to arrive tomorrow.

Thanks for the advice and will keep you informed of my progress.

Tracey

That sounds like a great start Tracey. Supply lines can be really helpful.

Unfortunately I think Marcellus is right about the motilium - this increase prolactin levels but if the underlying issue is not a lack of prolactin it doesn't help. I am sure I have read that with the thyroid it is not the prolactin which is an issue. Hopefully this will just be a temporary set back for you :hug:

Tracey, it sounds like you're having a hard time at the moment, I'm sorry you're going through this :hug:. It's great that you're so informed about ways to stimulate your supply, and keep your baby at the breast. I'm afraid I don't know much about thyroid issues and breastfeeding, apart from that it can affect breastmilk supply, but I am a mum who suffers from chronic low supply, and has to complement with formula (using a supply line much of the time). If you ever want to chat, or have any questions, then please feel free to PM me.

Good luck, I hope your health is sorted out quickly, and that things go well with feeding your DS2. (I'm off to read my newest book now, 'Making More Milk' by Diana West, I know it has a chapter on thyroid function).

Hi, I have a thyroid condition but is mainly underactive thyroid due to Hashimotos, I personally haven't had any problems with milk supply but my thyroid level has been kept in check with thyroxine - however I recently read a book called The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk By Diana West, Lisa Marasco to review for ABA library and it had a section in it about the contribution of hormones - there was a specific passage about thyroid issues - unfortunately I have given the book back to the library or I could read up the info for you - but maybe someone else has the book who could help? Also segments of the book are available on google books - but unfortunately the page about hyperthyroidism isn't there only the ones on hypothyroidism (pg 130) and post partum thyroiditis (pg132) - if you put "making more milk - thyroid" in Google, the google books link should come up as one of the first.

That's the book I have, I'm just looking at it now :). From my brief skim-reading (I have to go to my baby soon) it would seem to that there hasn't been much research done on this problem. Not on humans anyway. Although there is plenty of anecdotal evidence! The animal research showed that they had lower levels of oxytocin and prolactin (two very important hormones involved in breastfeeding). So Tracey, the Motilium may well help a bit. Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for the let down reflex, so you may need to pay some attention as to whether or not this is occurring. Has anyone explained the let down reflex to you, and how you can encourage it?

The book suggests that if the thyroid dysfunction is corrected then galactogogues may be helpful. Have your Drs mentioned if it's post-partum thyroiditis?

Hi, there,
I forgot to post the article. LLLI | The Impact of Thyroid Dysfunction on Lactation
Tracey, it's unlikely that the motilium will help you. It works by increasing your prolactin levels (prolactin is a very important hormone for making milk) but it's likely your prolactin levels are normal, but that your thyroid is suppressing your supply. On the other hand, it can't hurt to give it a try. It is important your LO doesn't continue to lose weight. You might also consider the early introduction of solids (not usual advise, but may be useful in your case) if your little one seemed ready.

wow...overwhelmed with the support form you lovely ladies, thank you so very much.

Will be back to soon to give more personal responses, have to give DS1 his breakfast!

Tracey

Right, both children asleep so have a chance to reply.

Barb- Thanks for the info, will be printing it out to take to the doctors tomorrow, it is always nice to be armed with info. He is not interested in solids at all, will but will keep on eye on his weight, trying not to weigh him everyday otherwise I will become obsessed.

Janie- Thanks so much for reading up that info for me. My problem is that I have never felt let down, with this bubs or DS1. It would make things much easier for me if I could. Will give the drugs a go, at least then I can say that I tired everything. My supply line arrived this morning and other that sterilise it have not had a chance to feed bubs with it. Will PM if I get stuck.

wysiwyg-have never used google books before! but will give it a go.

MantaRay- I too am hoping that this is a temporary setback as well, that is the mindset I am going into this with.

Will keep you all up to date, have the doctors tomorrow and I am going to ask for more bloods to be done to se if my levels have decreased as I am really hoping that it is post-partum thyroiditis, they suspect it happened last time due to an enlarged thyroid but my blood levels were normal, so was told to get it checked next time I had a baby, hence why I am here now.

Thanks again all if you!

Hope things go well at the docs tomorrow. Thyoid problems can be tricky buggers to sort out :hug:

Best of luck Tracey.

Thanks for the wishes of good lick today, seems to have worked.

My ultrasound came back normal and my GP spoke to the specialist who believes that I have post-partum thyroiditis which they will monitor with blood tests, will be having another one on Friday. They don't want to do anything yet as I am breast-feeding but do believe that it will resolve on it own :dance:

As for the breast feeding, my supply seems to picking up, once DS2 gets through his impatience for the let down to occur, it is all good. So much milk today he was choking, not happy about the choking but happy that there was so much milk :clap: Don't know if it is the meds or my supply coming back, will have to wait and see.

I am going to see my chinese herbalist tomorrow to see if she can help get things back on track and little faster.

Thank you so much for all of your support, it has been wonderful and so much easier to deal with. DH left last week to go back to work OS for 2 months so it has been nice to come online and get support straight away. My sister has also been a god send.

The supply line has been great and I will continue to use it, he has put back on 400gm already which is fantasic :pray: I can't praise it high enough and have already suggested a friend get it who is also having supply issues and her bubs refuses a bottle, it is doing her head in.

I really don't know what I would have done without you all you have all been fantastic.

Thanks and will keep you all posted.

Tracey xxxx

Oh thank goodness, that's wonderful news!
Stay well!

hello all,

Thought I would give a final update.

Just had another blood test and it is returning back to normal, should be back to normal next week :dance:

I am on meds for my supply, don't know if it is the meds or my thyroid returning back to normal but my supply is improving. Made some lactation cookies last night and wow...they are wonderful :clap: Every time DS2 wants boobie I just put him on and milk is there! DS1 thinks they are wonderful as well and is asking for more as I type (cookies...not boobie!)

Thanks to every single person to who replied with either words of support, ideas, suggestions or just hugs!

:grouphug:

xTracey

Wonderful, very glad to hear it

That's fantastic Tracey. You must be feeling very relieved :hug: