Can i take thyroxine while breastfeeding

Virtually none of it would be orally bioavailable or transferred into human milk. Because TSH is significantly elevated in hypothyroid mothers, if present in milk at high levels, it could theoretically cause a hyperthyroid condition in the breastfeeding infant.

Untreated low thyroid levels in mom may result in a decrease in milk supply and sometimes poor weight gain in baby due to low milk supply. Moms who are hyperthyroid have elevated thyroid hormone usually T4 levels. But, in some cases, breastfeeding causes the thyroid gland to produce too much of the thyroid hormone. This may lead to postpartum thyroiditis, which usually resolves on its own and does not require prolonged medication.

But if it exists for a longer duration, the doctor might prescribe a low dose of medication. Some breastfeeding mothers with hypothyroidism struggle to provide adequate milk supply to nourish the baby.

With the aid of medicines that work to control the levels of the thyroid hormone, mothers have no problems while nursing their baby. If hyperthyroidism develops due to postpartum thyroiditis, it gradually settles and no medication is required.

Hyperthyroidism is generally treated with antithyroid drugs which reduce the amount of the hormone being produced. Breastfeeding with hyperthyroidism can be very challenging. If treatment has started before pregnancy, then the doctor should monitor it throughout pregnancy and adjust the medication after pregnancy. Overactive thyroid sometimes causes a slow or difficult let-down reflex.

The supply of breast milk in such cases can be controlled with the help of proper medication. If the thyroid disorder is postpartum, mild hyperthyroidism is followed by hypothyroidism and it gradually gets resolved. In such cases, mothers do not face any major problems. As the thyroid hormone play a role in helping the breasts secrete milk, the supply of milk is affected if the mother has hypothyroidism.

However, women who are properly treated for hypothyroidism have no problem with milk supply. If you were being treated for hyperthyroidism before pregnancy and your thyroid level has changed along with other body changes after pregnancy , then an overactive thyroid may cause an excess supply of breast milk. If the breasts become engorged and milk production does not slow down, it requires medical intervention. Some breastfeeding mothers take medicines to treat thyroid disease and safely continue to breastfeed.

Hence, hypothyroidism while breastfeeding is quite safe for a newborn baby. Theoretical infant dose is quoted as 0. Over-active thyroid A mother with an over active thyroid gland produces raised levels of levothyroxine and will experience symptoms which may include tachycardia increased heart rate , sweating, heat intolerance and loss of body weight.

Propylthiouracil in human milk. Lancet ;1 Momotani N et al. Thyroid function in wholly breast-feeding infants whose mothers take high doses of propylthiouracil. Clin Endocrinol Oxf. Carbimazole and breastfeeding. This website uses cookies to improve your experience but you can opt-out if you wish.

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Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Levothyroxine starts working straight away, but it may be several weeks before your symptoms start to improve. The most common side effects of levothyroxine are caused by taking a bigger dose than you need.

Your doctor can lower your dose to help reduce any side effects. Before you start taking levothyroxine, your doctor will do a blood test to see what dose you need. Once you start taking the medicine you'll have regular blood tests to see how well it's working. Levothyroxine doses need to be carefully monitored during pregnancy.

If you're planning to become pregnant or think you may be pregnant while taking levothyroxine, it's important to visit your doctor to make sure you get the correct care for you and your baby. Do not take levothyroxine and go back to your doctor to discuss your treatment if you have : had an allergic reaction to levothyroxine or any other medicines in the past an overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism a health problem that affects your adrenal glands your doctor will be able to tell you if you're not sure Check with your doctor before taking levothyroxine if you have : a heart problem including angina , heart disease or heart failure high blood pressure had a heart attack diabetes — the dose of your diabetes medicine may need to change because levothyroxine can raise blood sugar levels.

Dosage You may need to take several different tablets to make up your dose. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take each day. The dose of levothyroxine varies from person to person. How to take it Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? Taking an extra dose of levothyroxine by accident is unlikely to harm you.

Speak to your doctor if: you accidentally take more than 1 extra dose you get side effects such as a racing heart beat or chest pain — these may not happen straight away, it can be several days before they come on Blood tests Your doctor will do regular blood tests to check the levels of thyroid hormones in your body before and after starting levothyroxine.

These will allow your doctor to adjust the dose to suit you. You may need blood tests more often if you: are pregnant start or stop a medicine that can interfere with levothyroxine have any symptoms that could mean your dose is not quite right.

Common side effects and self-help advice The common side effects of levothyroxine usually happen because the dose you're taking is more than you need. Feeling sick Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. Being sick vomiting or diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Headaches Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Feeling restless or excitable, or problems sleeping These symptoms should improve as your body gets used to levothyroxine. Flushing or sweating Try cutting down on coffee, tea and alcohol.

Muscle cramps If you get unusual muscle ache, which is not from exercise or hard work, talk to your doctor. Shaking, usually of the hands Talk to your doctor as you may need to have your dose reduced.

Serious side effects It happens rarely, but some people may have serious side effects when taking levothyroxine. Call a doctor straight away if you get: chest pain fast or irregular heartbeats, or palpitations Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to levothyroxine. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

Visit Yellow Card for further information. Levothyroxine and pregnancy Levothyroxine is usually safe to take in pregnancy. Levothyroxine and breastfeeding It's usually safe to breastfeed while you're on levothyroxine. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. They include: medicines for fits or seizures — such as carbamazepine and phenytoin rifampicin amiodarone oestrogens — such as in combined contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy HRT Levothyroxine can change how other medicines work, so their doses may need to be altered.

These medicines include: medicines for diabetes — either insulin or tablets the blood thinning medicine, warfarin Some medicines should not be taken at the same time of day as levothyroxine as they can reduce the amount of levothyroxine your body takes in, including: antacids calcium salts iron salts orlistat, a medicine used for weight loss sucralfate, a medicine used to treat stomach ulcers some cholesterol-lowering medicines such as colestyramine, colestipol or colesevelem Read the information leaflet supplied with these medicines or speak to your pharmacist for advice on how much time to leave between taking these medicines and taking levothyroxine.

Mixing levothyroxine with herbal remedies and supplements There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with levothyroxine. Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.

How does levothyroxine work? Some of the most common symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland are: tiredness feeling cold difficulty concentrating weight gain feeling depressed Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of thyroxine. How long does levothyroxine take to work? How long will I take levothyroxine for?