Thyroid Question??

[PaigesMom]

Hey everyone,

I've been MIA for awhile - back to work full time, having NO TIME, lol.

Anyway, I took Paige for her well visit and annual thyroid check a week ago. The dr. told me that her thyroid level was "mildly above normal" something like a 5.95 and 5 was the max.

This is the same as last year, pretty much, when they told me that it was not high enough to be considered hypothyroidism. They are continuing to say the same thing.

Has anyone's child been diagnosed w/hypothyroid with low levels? How do you know just exactly what levels mean you have it, and what levels need medication. It makes me nervous that this has happened 2 years in a row and that maybe they are being to lax about it - or maybe I am just being to paranoid.

Any suggestions/comments welcome.

Take care everyone.

Debbie

[wrblack]

Hi,
Suspect I make a much better amateur ophthalmologist than amateur endocrinologist, though either sounds plenty dangerous to me.
But Charlie added hypothyroidism to his list of dx's at age 3. And he has had thyroid checks at least every 6 months since. So, of course, I have a few ideas and suggestions.
First, if you haven't already, read Dr. Leshin's essay The Thyroid and Down syndrome www.ds-health.com/thyroid.htm
Second, you might ask your pediatrician if a referral to a pediatric endocrinologist would be justified based on Paige's latest two checkups. Sounds like there may be something going on and could be worth consulting a specialist.
If the 5.95 number you give is Paige's TSH, you and your pediatrician might like to know that up until a couple of years ago, that would have been considered in the normal range. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists changed normal lab values for TSH from 0.4-6.0 to 0.3-3.0 in 2003. But I think real endocrinologists would look at TSH value in conjunction with at least one other number, most would pick free T4 I think and some would also want T3. And some might have already checked for thyroid antibodies. If TSH is slightly elevated but T4 and T3 are well within normal range, then I think lots of sensible doctors would say lets just keep up the annual checkups. Maybe that's what your pediatrician has already done and concluded, maybe just hasn't communicated that all that well.
Hope this helps, also hope nobody sues me for malpractice nor brings charges for practicing medicine without a license, and without any qualification for that matter.
Regards,
Bob

[ALLISA]

As a parent with a Thyroid problem....you would thinkI know my terminology a little better.....so I apologize in advance for not being more precise.....

I know Erin's docotr alwyas recommends more than 1 specific thryoid test....I can't think of them all but ....TSH, T3,T4....are in my mind....because sometimes your "level" is okay...but your body is working overtime to keep it level (see I told you my terminology would be poor !)

Anyways....do you see an endocrinioligst for her thyroid....or just a routine peditrician blood test.....I would say go to a endocrinioligist at a Chidlren's Hospital.

Good luck !

[PaigesMom]

Thanks Bob!!! That makes alot of sense. They always do the T4 as well and this time they did a T3, which she has not had before. I called them back and the nurse told me that some additional tests came back (maybe the T4 and T3) and that the dr. would be calling me to discuss.....so I'll update this chapter as soon as I know........

[samanthajosmom_12]

Mydaughter test tsh t4 is 7.44- and it is really given her problems.