Home
Home PageAll of our TopicsHealth CategoriesEditorial BoardCurrent IssuesForumAbout UsContact Us
Hypothyroidism In Children
Last updated October 2004
backPage 7 of 11next

Other helpful websites:
Yahoo! Health
NIH
healthfinder®

Living With Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine condition in adults and a relatively common endocrine condition in infants and children. It can be treated relatively easily and inexpensively with a daily dose of synthetic (artificially manufactured) thyroid hormone.

This treatment supplies the hormone missing in the body. Organs return to a proper level of stimulation and the child's body can resume growth and development. In many cases, symptoms that had been distressing improve or disappear after hormone therapy has been begun.

An exception involves growth or organ development that has been delayed due to severe hypothyroidism. In some of these cases, developmental problems that occurred before treatment was begun cannot be reversed (these include mental retardation, shortened body stature, or both).

Need To Know:

Parents and older children should be aware of the symptoms of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism Condition in which too much thyroid hormone is circulating throughout the body, causing excessive stimulation of metabolic activity in body cells. Same condition as thyrotoxicosis. so that they can alert their doctors if symptoms begin to appear.

  • Symptoms of hypothyroidism occur when the body's need for thyroid hormone increases, and the previously correct dose becomes inadequate. This is the most likely thing to happen among young children who are actively growing and among older children entering puberty The last growth phase of childhood, puberty is the period during which a child's body becomes sexually mature and develops into adult form.. Changes that the individual might notice include feelings of fatigue, new learning problems in school, a slowed heartbeat, intolerance of cold, and constipation.

  • Symptoms of hyperthyroidism occur when the body's need for thyroid hormone decreases, and the previously correct dose becomes excessive. Changes that the individual might notice include a feeling of nervousness, a rapid heartbeat, intolerance of hot environments, and diarrhea.

Older children should learn that treatment for hypothyroidism becomes easier as they move into adulthood. After the growth and development of childhood and puberty end, most adults enter a long phase of life when their thyroid hormone needs remain relatively stable. Monitoring of thyroid hormone status does not need to be as frequent, and the individual becomes more able to live life without thinking about the hypothyroidism.

Back to Top of Page

<Back   Next>

To continue, select a heading below:

HomeHome
If you have a medical question, visit our Discussion Forum
HomeAll Our TopicsContact UsSite MapBack to Top of Page

Home

Thanks for visiting our award winning site.

We strive to make every page helpful to every reader.

Let us know if we've succeeded or how we can improve your experience on our site even more.

We read every email

comments@ehealthMD.com

ForumAny questionsNeed health insuranceHave we helpedEmail this siteNewsletter
Sponsored link
Copyright © 2002-2005 Health Information Publications. The information provided on this Web site has been developed exclusively by and for Health Information Publications and ehealthMD and may not be copied without written permission. The information provided is for general information only and is not intended to replace the advice of your health-care provider. This is original material developed by Health Information Publications, Copyright © 1990-2005
Medical Illustrations Copyright ©Nucleus Medical Art 2004. All rights reserved.