Propylthiouracil to take when breastfeeding

[goldfish100]

Hi.

I am a 36 years old first-time mother and am breastfeeding my 4 month-old baby. 2 weeks ago, my blood test shows: TSH < 0.05MU/L(Reference range: 0.3-4.7); Free T4: 19.5PMOL/L(Reference range:9.1-23.8); Free T3:6.1PMOL/L(Reference range:2.5-5.7). I had hyperthyriod 5 years ago and under control with medication for 4 years. I stopped taking medication before pregnancy. My thyroid condition was normal during pregnancy. I did not do any bloodtest after giving birth until 2 week ago, when my hair started falling a lot and I feel nervous.

My doctor asked me to take " PROPYLTHIOURACIL" 2 tablets a days right away, and said this medicine is safe for breastfeeding. But I was wondering how safe it is, since I do not want my baby to have side affect through the milk. I have been breastfeeding only.

Please give advice regarding this.

Thanks a lot.

[katekos]

Since I have never been on the hyperthyroid side of it I can't really tell you anything on curing it by nature foods - although maybe put that as a new subject line on this forum and see if anyone has any thoughts there.

The reason I asked about an breastfeeding support groups is b/c oftentimes they will have medication information and/or know where to get more information about medications and such.  In my own experience, I have found that Dr.'s will generally err on the side of caution when a mom says she is breastfeeding, so they will tell her to stop breastfeeding which is oftentimes not necessary-it is hard to find a Dr. that knows a lot about breastfeeding so when you find one that does stick with them.  Below is a link to La Leche League in Canada, you can call them and get information and even go to meetings if you want - they do not charge a fee to talk to them or go to meetings.
http://groups.lllc.ca/

[goldfish100]

Thanks so much.

My doctor asked me take 2 tablets a day, one tablet is 50 mg, so it is 100mg doess a day.

I live in Toronto,Canada, I am not involved in any group.
I had hyperthyroid 5 years ago, and had been taking antithyroid medicine for 4 years until 2 months before I was pregnant. My baby is 4 month now.

I just found out that my hyperthyroid is back 2 weeks ago. Although TSH is very low, I am still hoping that I will recovery without medicine. I am trying to relex my body and soul.

I found this website that give advice how to cure hyperthyroid by nature food:
http://hyper.thyroid-remedy.com/ disease

Do you think it will work?

Thanks again.

[katekos]

The example in the book/study discusses 400mg doses.
How much did your Dr. put you on?
The half life in this med is 1-2 hours, which is pretty short so in theory you could nurse your baby before taking your medicine and then, again in theory, when baby is ready to nurse again there will be less in your breastmilk, this medicine shows that it peaks at at 1-1.5 hours after taking it.  Of course I am no Dr. so I am only telling you what I read
Here is the a link to Dr. Hale's website discussing your medicine, look at post 7 and 8.
http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/45/3463.html
Also, at the top of that page you can click on search and enter the medicine,  a few other posts regarding it will pop up.
I know what you mean about not wanting to take medicine while breastfeeding, I too do not like taking medicine while breastfeeding - which meant I went a LONG time without many meds (except my thyroid med).
Are you involved in any breastfeeding groups?  What area do you live in if you don't mind me asking?

[goldfish100]

Thanks a lot.
Actually, my doctor said there is 10% of chance of risk to affect infant by this antithyroid medicine. And I am hoping if I could, I do not want to take any medicine, because I do not want to take chance to hurt my baby. Actually, I will take another blood test in 2 weeks, and see if it's getting better.

Could you please find more info for this medicine. For example, how much tablets to take is the best?

[katekos]

Hi, I looked it up in my Medications and Mothers Milk  book by Dr. Thomas Hale.  He is, in my opinion, THE source on meds for breastfeeding moms.  According to the book this medication is the best antithyroid medication for lactating mothers.  Only small amounts are secreted into breastmilk and reports suggest that levels absorbed by infants are too low to produce effects.  The book does suggest monitoring the infants thyroid function during therapy.
He categorizes the medicine as an L2 medication which means it has been studied in a limited number of breastfeeding moms without an increase in advers effects in the infant and/or the evidence of a demonstrated risk which is likely to follow use of this medication in a breastfeeding woman is remote.
You can also look up some medications through his website.  If you need more info on it I can also look it up in the book.