“My son was diagnosed with thyroid issues?”
My 12 year old son was diagnosed with thyroid issues yesterday. What do I do next? Who do I see for this?
6 Answers
I recommend you see a Pediatric endocrinology
It depends of the diagnosis. Please take him to a pediatric endocrinologist as soon as possible.
If it is low thyroid, most pediatricians and family practice can deal with this. If it is high thyroid, he will need to see Endocrinology. If it is a nodule, he needs to see ENT for biopsy.
You didn't say what issues he has. Does he have high or low thyroid? I would guess he has low or your Dr. would have sent him immediately to a specialist or a thyroid surgeon. Rx of low thyroid is easy. Just take 1 pill/day. Your physician may be able to handle or you could request a referral to a pediatric endocrinologist for treatment. The Dr. needs to palpate the gland every 3-6 mo. & test thyroid & TSH (Pituitary Stimulating Hormone) levels frequently at first to find the right medication level the once or twice a year to adjust medication with growth. A pediatric endocrinologist can do all this quickly & easily. I have had low thyroid for 25 years & its no real problem. He can also.
Pediatric endocrinologist.
Thyroid disorders:
The thyroid gland is a small but a vital gland at the base of the neck, below the adams apple. It is responsible for energy production, metabolism, mood, growth and development. It also supports brain development and cardiovascular health.
In children the the thyroid gland is at various sizes becuase children are going through a process of growth and development. In adults the thyroid gland measures about 4-6 cm . It weighs about 20 grams. If it gets larger, the thyroid gland, becomes a goiter. It may also develop a nodule or multiple nodules. The thyroid gland may be normal, under-active or over active.
The thyroid gland produces three major hormones namely thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonine. If your thyroid gland does not make these hormones especially T3 and T4 you may develop a codition called hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and when the thyroid makes excess of these hormones (over active thyroid) a codition called thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism sets in. Calcitonin suppots bone health.
In hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) the person may experience the symptoms of sadness, weight gain, poor energy level, dry skin, constipation, hair loss and fatigue.
When the thyroid gland is over active, the person may experience, weight loss, fatigue, palpitations, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, irritability, frequent bowel movement and insomnia.
The thyroid function test is a necessary blood test in the evaluation of the status of the the thyroid gland, in the production of the thyroid hormones. This test will determine whether the thyroid gland is working well or not. Based on the thyroid function test, further work up may be performed to pin point the cause of thyroid disorder (low or high thyroid hormone). The further work up may include blood work for iodine and various antibodies or imaging studies such as Ultrasound or uptake and scan of the thyroid gland.
Thyroid function test is just a blood work to determine the working condition of the thyroid gland. The initial test may include the T3, T3RU, T4, and TSH or TSH, FT4 with or without FT3 depending on the situation. Most endocrinologist use FT4, TSH and or FT3 with or without the various thyroid autoantibodies. Depending on the results more work up may be necessary including Ultrasound and or scan of the thyroid gland.
After your blood is drawn and processed or Ultrasound and/or scan of the thyroid gland is performed, the next step is to discuss about the results of the thyroid function test and or imaging studies with your doctor. If your thyroid is functioning properly, only watchful monitoring is advised. However if your thyroid hormone levels are abnormal, the cause of the thyroid abnormality should be evaluated properly. Once the cause is identified, treatment may be offered as indicated.
If there is a goiter and the thyroid gland is functioning properly only a watchful waiting is recommended. But is there is a nodule/s then the size of the nodule and the condition of the nodule should be analysed. If the nodule is >1cm or if there are calcifications or other suspicious characteristics a fine needle aspiration biopsy should be performed to determine for malignancy. If there is malignancy the one side or both sides of the gland should be removed depending on the situation. If the nodules are benign watchful monitoring is recommended.
Going back to your son;
Your son has thyroid disorder. You need to see a pediatric endocrinologist for that. Your son could have underactive thyroid, over-active thyroid, agoiter or nodule/s. depending on his situation the doctor will decide the proper work ups and diagnostic steps. Once the diagnosis is established the doctor will determine the treatment modalities. These could be hormonal replacement or treatment with antithyroid agents or surgical intervation. It depends on his thyroid condition.
You need to see your son's doctor and get a referal to see a pediatic endocrinologist.
Good luck.
The thyroid gland is a small but a vital gland at the base of the neck, below the adams apple. It is responsible for energy production, metabolism, mood, growth and development. It also supports brain development and cardiovascular health.
In children the the thyroid gland is at various sizes becuase children are going through a process of growth and development. In adults the thyroid gland measures about 4-6 cm . It weighs about 20 grams. If it gets larger, the thyroid gland, becomes a goiter. It may also develop a nodule or multiple nodules. The thyroid gland may be normal, under-active or over active.
The thyroid gland produces three major hormones namely thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonine. If your thyroid gland does not make these hormones especially T3 and T4 you may develop a codition called hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and when the thyroid makes excess of these hormones (over active thyroid) a codition called thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism sets in. Calcitonin suppots bone health.
In hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) the person may experience the symptoms of sadness, weight gain, poor energy level, dry skin, constipation, hair loss and fatigue.
When the thyroid gland is over active, the person may experience, weight loss, fatigue, palpitations, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, irritability, frequent bowel movement and insomnia.
The thyroid function test is a necessary blood test in the evaluation of the status of the the thyroid gland, in the production of the thyroid hormones. This test will determine whether the thyroid gland is working well or not. Based on the thyroid function test, further work up may be performed to pin point the cause of thyroid disorder (low or high thyroid hormone). The further work up may include blood work for iodine and various antibodies or imaging studies such as Ultrasound or uptake and scan of the thyroid gland.
Thyroid function test is just a blood work to determine the working condition of the thyroid gland. The initial test may include the T3, T3RU, T4, and TSH or TSH, FT4 with or without FT3 depending on the situation. Most endocrinologist use FT4, TSH and or FT3 with or without the various thyroid autoantibodies. Depending on the results more work up may be necessary including Ultrasound and or scan of the thyroid gland.
After your blood is drawn and processed or Ultrasound and/or scan of the thyroid gland is performed, the next step is to discuss about the results of the thyroid function test and or imaging studies with your doctor. If your thyroid is functioning properly, only watchful monitoring is advised. However if your thyroid hormone levels are abnormal, the cause of the thyroid abnormality should be evaluated properly. Once the cause is identified, treatment may be offered as indicated.
If there is a goiter and the thyroid gland is functioning properly only a watchful waiting is recommended. But is there is a nodule/s then the size of the nodule and the condition of the nodule should be analysed. If the nodule is >1cm or if there are calcifications or other suspicious characteristics a fine needle aspiration biopsy should be performed to determine for malignancy. If there is malignancy the one side or both sides of the gland should be removed depending on the situation. If the nodules are benign watchful monitoring is recommended.
Going back to your son;
Your son has thyroid disorder. You need to see a pediatric endocrinologist for that. Your son could have underactive thyroid, over-active thyroid, agoiter or nodule/s. depending on his situation the doctor will decide the proper work ups and diagnostic steps. Once the diagnosis is established the doctor will determine the treatment modalities. These could be hormonal replacement or treatment with antithyroid agents or surgical intervation. It depends on his thyroid condition.
You need to see your son's doctor and get a referal to see a pediatic endocrinologist.
Good luck.
