Ensuring adequate supply with Hypothyroidism

[lil_miss_understood]

All right. My new baby will be born soon. I'm presently on Armour thyroid for Hashimoto's hypothyroidism (and intend to keep it that way). With DS2, my supply totally tanked when my thyroid did and never seemed to completely rebound (despite pumping for 20 minutes after feedings and pumping 20 minutes every hour that he didn't nurse, eating oatmeal and drinking Mother's Milk tea), so I'm a little concerned.
Has anyone had any experience with optimizing milk supply with hypothyroidism? Could anyone give me some advice?

[Moonglow Girl]

No personal advice with hypo, but La Leche League has some good handouts on the interaction of thyroid and lactation.

It would be worth calling your local LLL leader, if you haven't already.

You can find one here:

llli.org

Good luck!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I dont have thyroid so I am technically hypo though I do take meds daily to keep the level stable. I would recommend having your thyroid levels checked before the birth then again a few weeks after birth then again once a month. Because you will have given birth your thyroid levels will fluctuate and the key to keeping up your supply will be keeping on top of the need your body has. Even a small drop in levels can affect your supply so insist on frequent monitering after you give birth.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

I dont have thyroid so I am technically hypo though I do take meds daily to keep the level stable. I would recommend having your thyroid levels checked before the birth then again a few weeks after birth then again once a month. Because you will have given birth your thyroid levels will fluctuate and the key to keeping up your supply will be keeping on top of the need your body has. Even a small drop in levels can affect your supply so insist on frequent monitering after you give birth.

We just increased my medication by 1/4 grain about a month ago. My doctor said she won't check me again until 4 weeks postpartum because she wants to give it time to stabilize... Would you suggest pressing to get it tested prior to that?
Do you have a suggestion as to what range is best for lactation? My T4 was "barely below" the normal range (as in 0.02 below the normal range) and I was feeling TERRIBLE. My doctor also seems to be one of those who is fixated on the numbers, iykwim, even though I switched to her because she supposedly wasn't like that.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

4 weeks pp sounds ok. It does take time to stabilize.

Mine went up a LOT during pg then stayed that way and kept rising over the first year after I had dd. Only in the last year has it started dropping and ds is 4yo.

Because of my history my endocrinologist has kept my levels on the high side of normal and I never had any supply issues actually had over supply with dd.

I dont know a number to tell you on lactation my endo never really shared my #'s with me and I didnt think to ask.

The way you feel is a good indicator if you need more though and watch for heart palpatations those are a very good indication that you are to low.

I wish I could be more help.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

4 weeks pp sounds ok. It does take time to stabilize.

Mine went up a LOT during pg then stayed that way and kept rising over the first year after I had dd. Only in the last year has it started dropping and ds is 4yo.

Because of my history my endocrinologist has kept my levels on the high side of normal and I never had any supply issues actually had over supply with dd.

I dont know a number to tell you on lactation my endo never really shared my #'s with me and I didnt think to ask.

The way you feel is a good indicator if you need more though and watch for heart palpatations those are a very good indication that you are to low.

I wish I could be more help.

That's actually more help than you may realize. My doctors keep pushing me to stay at the low end of normal. As soon as I get "into range" they say "That's good. Stop there. We don't want you to be OVERtreated." And I have never felt *good* since I've been diagnosed. I've felt tolerable and like I can manage to get most of the things I need to get done done... My numbers changed during pregnancy (TSH up, FT4 and FT3 down) but, because they never went "out of range", my doctor never increased my medication and I'd been complaining of returning symptoms since Decemberish. But what do I know? I only have to live in this body. :
Sorry. Minor rant.
Thank you!

[pbjmama]

Unfortunately with thyroid problems the best and only treatment that I know of is correct med dosage. Similar to some women loose their milk during pregnancy and some do not, all hormone related and you can't bring back supply with galactagogues.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by pbjmama

Unfortunately with thyroid problems the best and only treatment that I know of is correct med dosage. Similar to some women loose their milk during pregnancy and some do not, all hormone related and you can't bring back supply with galactagogues.

So are you saying that my milk supply not rebounding after being medicated is proof that I'm not (or at least was not, at the time) on the correct dosage?

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Do you see a endocrinologist or a regular Dr? If it where me I would be very tempted to switch Dr. either way since this one dosnt seem to be a good fit for you IMO

I : my endo he has been with me now for just over 12 years and when I see him it is like visiting a friend. He listens to me and even if my numbers look good but I am not feeling right he will do a bit of tweeking on my meds.

I take levathroid btw.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

Do you see a endocrinologist or a regular Dr? If it where me I would be very tempted to switch Dr. either way since this one dosnt seem to be a good fit for you IMO

I : my endo he has been with me now for just over 12 years and when I see him it is like visiting a friend. He listens to me and even if my numbers look good but I am not feeling right he will do a bit of tweeking on my meds.

I take levathroid btw.

A regular doctor. Sadly, believe it or not, she's better than the doctor before her.
In order for me to see an endo, I've been told I need a referral and my last doctor refused to refer me. I haven't asked this one yet.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I hate insurance that require referral's. I havnt had insurance like that thank goodness. My FP did send me to this endo because they went to med. school together and it turned out very well.

[pbjmama]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

So are you saying that my milk supply not rebounding after being medicated is proof that I'm not (or at least was not, at the time) on the correct dosage?

Well, it is a little more complicated than that but yes. It is possible you had other complications - even all the stress of having a new baby and thyroid problems, not getting enough rest, etc. Was your supply okay with your first child? If it was I would say the problem is that your med levels were not correct for milk production.

[lil_miss_understood]

I can't honestly say what my supply was like with DS1. He was only breastfed for 3 months, and much of that was breastmilk via bottle. I won't go into it, but let's just say that there was a lack of knowledge, complete lack of support and some sheer stupidity involved. I do remember waking up with my entire Queen-sized bed SOAKED between pumpings and/or feedings though...

[pbjmama]

Well it sounds like low supply is not your issue. And alot of mamas with low supply with a first baby find that their supply is better with each baby. Maybe it is time to see if you can get a referral for and endo?

[MyZymurgy]

I'm hypothyroid - and take synthroid. Yeah, the correct dosage is most important. I've had a terrible time with milk supply. I've had to supplement with formula since birth. But my son is almost 9 months and we are still breastfeeding. (I always breastfeed before giving formula. In the early days I also pumped in an effort to maximize my supply.)

I also had severe anemia due to ongoing anemia problems plus severe hemorraging that required a couple transfusions - so that also didn't help with the supply issues.

Sorry I don't have good advice. I wish I had a solution other than just getting your levels checked often. Oh and remember to take your meds despite sleep deprivation. (I seemed to have a hard time with that.)

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by MyZymurgy

I'm hypothyroid - and take synthroid. Yeah, the correct dosage is most important. I've had a terrible time with milk supply. I've had to supplement with formula since birth. But my son is almost 9 months and we are still breastfeeding. (I always breastfeed before giving formula. In the early days I also pumped in an effort to maximize my supply.)

I also had severe anemia due to ongoing anemia problems plus severe hemorraging that required a couple transfusions - so that also didn't help with the supply issues.

Sorry I don't have good advice. I wish I had a solution other than just getting your levels checked often. Oh and remember to take your meds despite sleep deprivation. (I seemed to have a hard time with that.)

That got easier with time. When I first got put on my meds when DS2 was 6 mo, I was sleeping between 18 and 20 hours a day. It only took a few days of taking my medication for that to start changing though, so..
It's nice to know I'm not the only one who's struggling with low supply because of this though, even if it's not something I'd wish on anyone. It's nice to not be alone. It just really : me though that "they" can just shrug this off like it's no big deal. Heaven forbid they actually consider that maybe it is a sign things aren't all they should be.
I'm tired so particularly grumpy. Going to close my mouth and go find something more productive to do than complain.