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Breastfeeding and Thyroid Disease
Frequently Asked Questions

By Mary Shomon, About.com

Updated: January 11, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

The good news is that, in most cases, if you have thyroid problems, you can safely breastfeed, whether your thyroid condition developed before, during or after pregnancy. Of course, you should always talk to your doctor or your baby's doctor for the best recommendation for you and your own case.

Note, too, that low milk supply and breastfeeding difficulties can sometimes be caused by an undiagnosed thyroid condition, so it's particularly important that women who have breastfeeding problems have a thorough thyroid evaluation.

In addition to low milk supply, if you are having other post-partum symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, difficulty losing weight, or too-rapid weight loss, difficulty concentrating, and the blues, you may have a thyroid condition. Find out if you could have a thyroid problem and not know it.

If you had a thyroid condition before pregnancy, or your thyroid condition has been diagnosed during or after pregnancy, the following list of common questions about thyroid problems and issues regarding breastfeeding for nursing mothers with thyroid disease.

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