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I am currently taking 112 mu of synthroid while breastfeeding my five week old and have extreme over abundant milk! I am currently pumping 15-16oz. within 15 to 20 minutes with a double pump. I am only pumping to prevent mastitis which I've been fighting. I've tried everything to reduce my supply including, sage, peppermint, cabbage leaves, block feeding, full draining and block feeding, and now even psuedophedrine. Nothing has helped. In fact, I've increased in supply. I am wanting to know if the synthroid could be contributing to the issue. I've had my T4 and T4 levels checked. They are within normal range, but I don't know what else to do to reduce my supply. Please help! If it is the synthroid, how do I reduce it without affecting the hypothyroidism? Any suggestions?
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Dear Mom2Three,
Hypothyroidism has been associated with hyperprolactinemia. Prolactin is secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain and is needed for production of breastmilk. In cases of hyperprolactinemia (the likely cause of your over production of breastmilk), there is a medication called cabergoline that has been used to totally inhibit lactation. Since you want to continue to breastfeed, a low or titrated dose of cabergoline would be indicated. You may talk with your physician about using this medication. The dose used to inhibit lactation is 0.25 mg twice daily for 2 days (total dose 1 mg) so you would need a lower dose or may use 0.25 mg once or twice weekly depending on your physician's direction. It is unlikely that Synthroid would be the cause of your over abundance of breastmilk. If you have further questions, or if your physician has questions, please call us at the InfantRisk Center, 806-352-2519. We are open Monday through Friday, 8 to 5, CDT.
Sincerely,
Cindy Pride, MSN, CPNP
TTUHSC InfantRisk Center
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