Liothyronine use while Breastfeeding
Drugs containing Liothyronine: Cytomel, Triostat
Liothyronine Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding
Summary of Use during Lactation
Liothyronine (T3) is a normal component of human milk. If replacement doses of liothyronine are required by the mother, it is not necessarily a reason to discontinue breastfeeding. However, because no information is available on the use of exogenous liothyronine during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred. Liothyronine dosage requirement may be increased in the postpartum period compared to prepregnancy requirements patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.[1]
Drug Levels
Milk levels of thyroid hormones have not been measured after exogenous administration in humans. Liothyronine is a normal component of human milk. Although somewhat controversial, liothyronine, unlike levothyroxine (T4), might pass into milk in amounts that affect infant thyroid status.[2][3][4][5][6]
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects in Breastfed Infants
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date. However, the thyroid hormone content of human milk from the mothers of very preterm infants appears not to be sufficient to affect the infants thyroid status.[7]
Possible Effects on Lactation
Adequate thyroid hormone serum levels are required for normal lactation. Replacing deficient thyroid levels should improve milk production caused by hypothyroidism. Supraphysiologic doses of liothyronine would not be expected to further improve lactation.
Alternate Drugs to Consider
References
1. Galofre JC, Haber RS, Mitchell AA et al. Increased postpartum thyroxine replacement in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Thyroid. 2010;20:901-8. PMID: 20615129
2. Sato T, Suzuki Y. Presence of triiodothyronine, no detectable thyroxine and reverse triiodothyronine in human milk. Endocrinol Jpn. 1979;26:507-13. PMID: 499092
3. Varma SK, Collins M, Row A et al. Thyroxine, tri-iodothyronine, and reverse tri-iodothyronine concentrations in human milk. J Pediatr. 1978;93:803-6. PMID: 712487
4. Mallol J, Obregon MJ, Morreale de Escobar GM. Analytical artifacts in radioimmunoassay of L-thyroxin in human milk. Clin Chem. 1982;28:1277-82. PMID: 7074933
5. Oberkotter LV, Tenore A. Separation and radioimmunoassay of T3 and T4 in human breast milk. Horm Res. 1983;17:11-8. PMID: 6551313
6. Koldovsky O. Hormones in milk. Vitam Horm. 1995;50:77-149. PMID: 7709605
7. van Wassenaer AG, Stulp MR, Valianpour F et al. The quantity of thyroid hormone in human milk is too low to influence plasma thyroid hormone levels in the very preterm infant. Clin Endocrinol. 2002;56:621-7. PMID: 12030913
Liothyronine Identification
Substance Name
CAS Registry Number
6893-02-3
Drug Class
- Thyroid Hormones
Administrative Information
LactMed Record Number
159
Information from the National Library of Medicine's LactMed Database.
Last Revision Date
2011-05-03
Disclaimer
Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S. government does not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.
See Also...
- Liothyronine use during Pregnancy
- Liothyronine Consumer Information
- Breastfeeding Support Group
- Safe Medications during Breastfeeding
- Medicine use while Breastfeeding
- Medicine use during Pregnancy
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