Changes

In nuclear medicine, varying amounts of radiopharmaceuticals are retained in the patients for varying periods of time. Also, some radiopharmaceuticals can be transferred to breast milk and passed from mother to child during breast feeding. As a result, both the mother, and her breast milk, can be a source of radiation to the baby. Non-urgent tests should be postponed until the breastfeeding period is completed (.<ref>Radiation Protection of Patients[https://www.iaea.org/resources/rpop]).</ref>

However, most nuclear medicine agents can be handled by providing patient reassurance, educational materials, and instructions on breast milk pumping and storage during a prescribed period of time prior to nuclear medicine treatments. Breast milk can be pumped, frozen and used during a period of time following the treatment. Depending on the specific radiopharmaceutical administered to the mother, guidelines range from interruption in breast feeding for the majority of radiopharmaceuticals, to interruption for a prescribed period of time, to total cessation of breastfeeding (<ref>Breast milk excretion of radiopharmaceuticals: mechanisms, findings, and radiation dosimetry.[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10809203]). </ref> It is important to consult with a nuclear medicine specialist before ordering a diagnostic nuclear medicine procedure for breastfeeding patients. This will help to provide the information necessary to prepare the patient (e.g. the need to pump breasts, store pumped milk for prescribed decay periods etc.).

¹³¹I (half-life of 8 days) is one of the few radioactive agents that deserves special attention. ¹³¹I is used for both diagnostic and therapeutic thyroid procedures. Even small amounts of ¹³¹I as are used in thyroid uptake studies, are excreted into breast milk and are sufficient to have an adverse effect on the baby’s thyroid function. When ¹³¹I is used, breastfeeding should be terminated.