Hi, my name is Randy Halpern.  I am an RN and LLLL.  I received a call from a
mom today.  She had twins at 34 weeks (5 days ago).  She is currently on
PTU(Propylthiouracil) for hyperthyroidism and had been during her pregnancy.
 Both of her newborns are hypothyroid (they suspect primary hypothyroidism).
 Her endocrinologist and the neo. have stated that she can not breastfeed
while on this medicine since it may worsen the newborns' hypothyroidism (
they has been shown Tom Hale's info on PTU and breastfeeding). However, one
of the newborns is not tolerating formula (he's got bloody diarrhea) and now
is on hyperalimentation for nutrition.
1)Does anyone have any ideas on how to solve this problem so that this mother
can  breastfeed?
2)Does anyone have any articles on this issue?
3)Is the small amount of PTU that passes into the breast milk dangerous in
this particular setting because of these newborns hypothyroidism or will it
make no difference?
4)Can she breastfeed and monitor daily thyroid function tests in the newborns
to see if it is having a detrimental effect?
5) Is anyone out there a pediatric endocrinologist?
TIA
Randy