hypothyroid and low milk milk supply?

cutie4evr01 · Jan 30th, 2010, 13:16 PM

Does anyone know if hypothyroidism leads to low milk supply? I was pumping ~2-4 oz when LO was 1 week old, depending on how recently she had nursed. Now I'm lucky to get 1 oz out even if she hasn't nursed in 3 hrs! I thought my supply had just regulated to her needs, but my sister was telling me that hypothyroid can lead to diminished milk supply - is this true? I am hypothyroid and on synthroid. Also, does anyone know if supplements like fenugreek are safe to take while on synthroid? Thanks!

littlestar · Jan 31st, 2010, 09:41 AM

i'm hypothyroid and i'm on thyroxine.
i haven't had any issues in milk supply and my LO is 12 weeks old now.
pumping doesn't really reflect the amount of milk LO is getting. is she mainly on breast or are you pumping to feed regularly?
are you pumping at the same times everyday?
what kind of pump are you using?
i pump one session in the morning, and get 4oz with and electric pump.

cutie4evr01 · Jan 31st, 2010, 11:01 AM

She's mainly on breast, I just pump one-two times daily so hubby can give her a bottle in the evening if I need more sleep. I usually pump just after she feeds in the morning, as I heard that is when supply is highest. Then I might pump again after she eats in the evening, or just before I go to sleep if she hasn't eaten in a while. I use a double electric pump also, and I used to get lots more, so I'm thinking it's not the pump. Perhaps she's just eating much more than she used to, so my supply has regulated to meet what she's eating, not leaving much left to pump out.

littlestar · Jan 31st, 2010, 15:40 PM

if you continue to pump at the same times you should be able to build it back up.

looking on your ticker she may well be going through one of her big growth spurts right now obviously leaving less milk to pump. but be consistent with your pumping. personally i wouldn't add another pump session just yet, but it's up to you.

you might find this useful my LO is having a growth spurt too
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/growth-spurt.html

Seraphim · Jan 31st, 2010, 15:53 PM

I hadn't heard this... I'm hypo and on thyroxine... at 3 weeks I was desparate for a milk bank to donate to

Pumping (especially so early) isn't a good way of judging your supply.

kelly-pelynt · Jan 31st, 2010, 16:25 PM

Im also hypo and on thyroxine but luckily never faced any problems with milk supply.
But I was googling how to increase your milk supply earlier as im doing a breastfeeding peer support course at the moment and I happened to read that thyroid, under or over active can sometimes have an effect on milk supply, so maybe you need to talk to your doctor or health visitor.

TigerLady · Feb 1st, 2010, 18:17 PM

I think as long as your hypothyroidism is well controlled then it isn't a problem. My friend has thyroid problems (hypo) and has never been able to get it regulated properly. It actually led to her never being able to BFed as her milk never came in properly despite all sorts of supplements and medications (even Reglan). When an endocronologist checked her bloodwork, and read she was post natal, he made her stop bfing immediately as he said she couldn't produce proper milk with the problems she was having.

However, it seemed that all the docs said it would not be a problem as long as her thyroid was regulated properly. I guess I would just make sure to keep on top of that really well.

Jan 30th, 2010, 13:16 PM	#1
cutie4evr01 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,235	hypothyroid and low milk milk supply? Does anyone know if hypothyroidism leads to low milk supply? I was pumping ~2-4 oz when LO was 1 week old, depending on how recently she had nursed. Now I'm lucky to get 1 oz out even if she hasn't nursed in 3 hrs! I thought my supply had just regulated to her needs, but my sister was telling me that hypothyroid can lead to diminished milk supply - is this true? I am hypothyroid and on synthroid. Also, does anyone know if supplements like fenugreek are safe to take while on synthroid? Thanks!

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Jan 31st, 2010, 09:41 AM	#2
littlestar Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nottingham, England Posts: 3,255	i'm hypothyroid and i'm on thyroxine. i haven't had any issues in milk supply and my LO is 12 weeks old now. pumping doesn't really reflect the amount of milk LO is getting. is she mainly on breast or are you pumping to feed regularly? are you pumping at the same times everyday? what kind of pump are you using? i pump one session in the morning, and get 4oz with and electric pump.

Status: Offline

Jan 31st, 2010, 11:01 AM	#3
cutie4evr01 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,235	She's mainly on breast, I just pump one-two times daily so hubby can give her a bottle in the evening if I need more sleep. I usually pump just after she feeds in the morning, as I heard that is when supply is highest. Then I might pump again after she eats in the evening, or just before I go to sleep if she hasn't eaten in a while. I use a double electric pump also, and I used to get lots more, so I'm thinking it's not the pump. Perhaps she's just eating much more than she used to, so my supply has regulated to meet what she's eating, not leaving much left to pump out.

Status: Offline

Jan 31st, 2010, 15:40 PM	#4
littlestar Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nottingham, England Posts: 3,255	if you continue to pump at the same times you should be able to build it back up. looking on your ticker she may well be going through one of her big growth spurts right now obviously leaving less milk to pump. but be consistent with your pumping. personally i wouldn't add another pump session just yet, but it's up to you. you might find this useful my LO is having a growth spurt too http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/growth-spurt.html

Status: Offline

Jan 31st, 2010, 15:53 PM	#5
Seraphim Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dartmoor, Devon Posts: 7,073	I hadn't heard this... I'm hypo and on thyroxine... at 3 weeks I was desparate for a milk bank to donate to Pumping (especially so early) isn't a good way of judging your supply.

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Jan 31st, 2010, 16:25 PM	#6
kelly-pelynt Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: cornwall Posts: 81	Im also hypo and on thyroxine but luckily never faced any problems with milk supply. But I was googling how to increase your milk supply earlier as im doing a breastfeeding peer support course at the moment and I happened to read that thyroid, under or over active can sometimes have an effect on milk supply, so maybe you need to talk to your doctor or health visitor.

Status: Offline

Feb 1st, 2010, 18:17 PM	#7
TigerLady Mum (Mom) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: In a Cave Posts: 22,821	I think as long as your hypothyroidism is well controlled then it isn't a problem. My friend has thyroid problems (hypo) and has never been able to get it regulated properly. It actually led to her never being able to BFed as her milk never came in properly despite all sorts of supplements and medications (even Reglan). When an endocronologist checked her bloodwork, and read she was post natal, he made her stop bfing immediately as he said she couldn't produce proper milk with the problems she was having. However, it seemed that all the docs said it would not be a problem as long as her thyroid was regulated properly. I guess I would just make sure to keep on top of that really well.

Status: Offline

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