4 yr old with elevated TSH

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2006
4 yr old with elevated TSH
2
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 12:20am
I was just wondering if anyone had any info and an autoimmune disorder called Hshimotos Syndrome...My 4 yr old had been having very vague complaints...backache, stomachache,legs hurting..and VERY irritable...anyway Ped. ordered labs and her TSH was 181 (normal range 0.4-6.9) I work at the hospital where the bllod was taken and I called the lab to see if anything could give a false high and they said no and they had never had a pediatric reading that high. We went to a ped. endocrinologist at the childrens hospital in our area...and she saw a goiter which I could see when she pointed it out..she feels that it is Hashimoto's and will check antibodies when we do next lab to check TSH since my daughter started Synthroid...I am wondering how long will it take these numbers to stabalize..she is soooooooooooooo irritable...and itchy....(another synptom of Hypothyroidism)...Well thanks and info would be helpful....
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Tue, 04-04-2006 - 10:32am

Hello:

I have Hashimoto's and it is the autoimmune disease cause of hypothyroidism; it is the most common cause and typically runs in families. I also have a 4 year old (without hashi), so I really feel for you and how hard this must be (4 year-olds can be challenging enough under the best circumstances!)

There is one person (grownup) on this board that I remember whose TSH was that high, and it took her a really long time to get her levels stabilized. It was because she didn't respond normally to the T-4 replacement, though, and after finding the T-3/T-4 combo, finally got the TSH down.

I would advise that you FIRST make sure your endocrinologist is aware that the new normal range for TSH is actually LOWER than what they're working with TSH = 0.3-3.0, this will be really important when you get the TSH lower and if your daughter still has symptoms with TSH higher than 1 or 2 (which most of us DO).

Also, ask for a complete thyroid panel (not just antibodies).
Free T-3
T-4
antibodies
TSH
This way you will have a detailed baseline to work with as you go along.

If the synthroid is the right treatment and you have the right dose, then your daughter should be feeling better within a few weeks. Dosing is tricky with kids, though... so it might not happen right away. Doctors often say give it 5-8 weeks before you decide if the dose is working... But in my experience you know within a week or so whether you're going in the right direction. Really important: Ask her endocrinologist how often they will measure TSH during this stage of trying to find the right dose. If they say every 8 weeks, ask if you can request one sooner if the symptoms persist.

It is imparative that your endocrinologist be willing to treat your daughter's symptoms and not just the labs. They should be willing to test the TSH after 3 weeks on the dose in my opinion (with symptoms present).

I think there are other parents on this board who can support you... (It seems to me there might be a pediatric board somewhere? Does anyone know if we have a parents board?)

GOOD LUCK! I'll be thinking about you and your girl,
Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2006
Tue, 04-04-2006 - 7:35pm

Thanks so much for your input...4 year olds(atleast mine) can be be very trying....adding in all the crap that goes along with it.....(thyroid issue)....We have a very good ped. so I was nervous about going to someone I didn't know....but I felt very at ease with her..and she is at a pretty well known children's hospital in our area...anyway...my daughter is supposed to have labs drawn at the end of April..her fist visit to the PE was 3/13...and really I don't feel that her symptoms have changed...the PE did say that it is better to go slow on the Synthroid with children...since it is harder for them to verbalize how they feel....but maybe I will call her tomorrow and see if we can check it sooner..although I dread the blood draw...I work at the hospital where she got her labs done and I thought for sure they could hear her screaming on the 6Th floor where I work....it was quite traumatizing for me...and realistically I know that it is an extremely small needle and it really doesn't hurt that much, but when it's your child...you know....ok well I am going on and on....Thanks so much for your help and suggestions.....

Amy