Up to 10% of women experience thyroid problems after giving birth. Postpartum thyroiditis causes fluctuating thyroid hormone levels, first with a period of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid with excess thyroid hormone) which might then resolve back to normal or dip into a period of hypothyroidism (low thyroid function). Note that this is different from postpartum Graves’ Disease, which is autoimmune hyperthyroidism in which antibodies attack the thyroid and cause it to overproduce thyroid hormone.

The book pictured here saved me when I was diagnosed with postpartum Graves’ Disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism) and my endocrinologist said I needed to wean my baby before I could start the medication he recommended. I called a La Leche League leader and she looked up the medication in Hale’s Medications and Mothers’ Milk. Based on that reference, it appeared that the medication was safe for nursing mothers at the dosage prescribed for me. Just to be sure, I called my daughter’s pediatrician and also asked my pharmacist. Finally, I consulted three sources on-line regarding medications and breastfeeding: