Ellen, you might find some answers in the archives but I will relate to you  
a case I had a few years ago.
The mother was a primip who was diagnosis with thyroid cancer in her second  
trimester.  She had the thyroid removed and went on replacement  therapy.  
(Replacement therapy should be equal to normal hormone  levels.  If they are not 
they need to be adjusted.)
This mom had wanted to breastfeed for at least a year and was very  
disappointed that she might have to wean as early as 3 months for radioactive  iodine 
treatments.  I worked with the Endocrinologist who was caring for  this mother 
and we discussed her goals and what was best for her and the  baby.  He agreed 
to hold off the I-131 for as long as possible postpartum  and he followed her 
with ultrasound.  
She went on to breastfeed beautifully and pumped to store up as much of her  
milk as she could for the time she would have to wean.  I had talked to Tom  
Hale about whether a mom should pump and discard while on I-131 and try to  
resume breastfeeding when safe or totally wean.  His recommendation was to  
totally wean since the I-131 is also attracted to lactating tissue and could  
possibly be a risk in the future for breast cancer.  He also recommended  meds to 
help to speed up the involution of the breast once a mother needs to  wean.
The mom I worked with ended up going 9 months breastfeeding her little guy  
and stored up enough extra milk to make it another couple of months.  (Just  
shy of her 1 year goal.)
She had her I-131 treatment which is difficult because she cannot be near  
her baby for a while, cannot remember how long.
Hope that helps.  
Ann Perry, RN IBCLC
Boston, MA

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