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Q&A: Breastfeeding After a Radioactive Iodine Treatment?

I have thyroid cancer and will be getting radioactive iodine treatment when my baby is six months old. Can I keep breastfeeding after this?
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Updated March 2, 2017
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You’ll be able to breastfeed future children, but you will probably need to wean your current baby before starting this treatment. Radioactive iodine treatment (I-131) does enter your breast milk and could expose baby to radiation. It is recommended that nursing moms stop breastfeeding several days (or weeks) before the treatment begins and then pump and dump for several weeks after therapy to reduce the exposure of your breast tissue to radiation. (You’ll also need to hold off on getting pregnant again for about a year, since your ovaries will be exposed to radiation.)

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

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