There is no need to do the radioactive uptake of iodine for the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.
The mother can be treated with propranalol and PTU if necessary, *and does not have to stop
breastfeeding with these medications*.

Any good doctor can manage hyperthyroidism without doing the scan, most of the time.  The
reason to do the scan is to differentiate hyperthyroidism secondary to postpartum thyroiditis
from Grave's disease.  If this is postpartum thyroiditis (though a little later onset than usual),
treatment with propanalol will keep symptoms under control, and in a few weeks, blood tests
and symptoms will return to normal.  If not she has Grave's disease, probably, and will
probably have to remain on PTU and possibly propranalol for some time.

If the physicians want to contact me, I will be happy to speak with them (preferably by email).

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC