Thyogen Scan/ Breastfeeding baby

[karenpethe]

Hello.  I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1995.  I had my thyroid removed and had radiation.  In 2003 I had a thryogen shots and a body scan that was clear.  I just had bloodwork done and my thyroglobulin level was 0.9  My doctor said it is probably just picking up normal thyroid tissue, but he wants to do the thryogen shots and scan just to make sure.  The problem is i am still breastfeeding my one year old.  My doctor told me that I would have to stop completely.  However, a lactation consultant said that I may be able to just pump and dump and then resume breastfeeding once the radioactive stuff is gone.   My doctor said he was okay with giving me 6 months to wean the baby and then we'll do the scan.

My questions are:

1.  Is it true that I can not resume breastfeeding after the scan if I pump and dump?
2.  In your opinion, is there any harm in waiting the 6 months?

Thank you,
Karen P

[gingerbug]

I had a thyroid uptake done when my daughter was 5mos. old, I stored up a weeks worth of milk ( 10 -4oz. fedding a day) in just 2 weeks. you have 6mos. you can do this!! the pump and dump method worked for us. My child is 8mos. and has never had one ounce of formula. freeze it now for later. supply and demand just make sure you start the bottle before to get use to the difference

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Would recommend a good neck ultrasound and putting off I-131 scan (if even indicated) until done w/ lactation.  Current guidelines do not rely heavily on radioactive scanning.