Should I continue taking my thyroid hormone drugs (i.e., Synthroid, Levoxyl, Armour, Thyrolar) when Im breastfeeding?
Yes. Thyroid hormone replacement, when provided in proper dosage level, crosses into breast milk in only minute quantities, and has no adverse effect on the baby. That said, this holds true only if the blood hormone levels remain in the normal range. If too much thyroid hormone is being taken and levels become hyperthyroid, then thyroid hormone can pass into the breastmilk. For this reason, if you are a nursing mother on thyroid hormone, you must take medication exactly as prescribed by a physician. The period following delivery is one where thyroid levels can fluctuate, so frequent testing is very important, because your dosage and TSH level may be just right three months post-partum, but three months later, the same dosage could be making you hyperthyroid. So, plan to get blood levels drawn frequently (i.e., every three months) as long as you are nursing your baby. Stopping your thyroid hormone, or taking less than prescribed, is also not recommended, because not only is that insuffi
