Information for you, Lesley :)
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| Mon, 06-05-2006 - 6:46pm |
Lesley, I asked Michael about hypothyroidism in babies, and here's what he said (I wrote it down, so let me see if I can transcribe it for you here):
First, your thyroid is an endocrine gland in your neck that is wrapped around your trachea & shaped like a butterfly. It produces hormones that have to do with metabolism and growth, mainly 2 hormones called T3 and T4. These are your thyroid hormones, and they are essential for converting oxygen and calories to energy for your body. They're dependent on iodine. When you have too little of these hormones, you get HYPOTHYROIDISM (and he had to spell that one out for me, LOL!). HYPERTHYROIDISM is when you have too much of these hormones. Hypothyroidism is more common. It happens when the thyroid fails to make enough thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). The 3 and the 4 have to do with the amount of iodine in the hormones, and you get iodine from salt. If you have hypothyroidism, it can affect a lot of different systems in the body in a negative way because it has to do with the metabolism of all cells.
He said in newborns, hypothyroidism is congenital (they're born with it), and might be because there is not enough thyroid tissue to produce enough of the hormones; or it might be because the baby is lacking an enzyme that prevents the production of the hormones. He said sometimes hypothyroidism in newborns is temporary, meaning they outgrow it as they mature, but not to worry because it is very treatable by giving a daily dose of the hormones just like you would give your kid vitamins. He said the medication is called LEVOTHYROXINE (I had to write that one out, too) and you might have to crush a pill instead of giving liquid because the liquid suspension might not be as effective, but that's up to your pediatrician or endocrinologist, of course. He said hypothyroidism in babies is fairly common. He said it is more common in baby girls than baby boys.
He said some of the symptoms are weight gain, tiredness, itchy dry skin, constipation, sleeping a lot, and sensitivity to cold. And that they will draw Jett's blood and most likely check for the amount of another hormone called TSH that is produced by the brain, that's levels indicate if there's enough thyroid hormones. If the TSH level is too high, that could indicate hypothyroidism.
He said it's important to get it treated (which I know you will) because thyroid hormones are essential for brain development and growth.
But he said NOT TO WORRY that it is very, very easily treatable, VERY COMMON and he just could outgrow it. And he might not even have it!
He went to teach his class to the EMTs so I can't ask him anymore questions now, but I did write all this out for you from what he said, and if you want to know anything else, I can ask him later tonight or tomorrow. I don't mind picking his brain, after all, I helped pay for that MD by working to support him in medical school, LOL! Plus I learned something new today!!
I hope this information helped you, at least a little. Let us know what happens and Michael said DON'T WORRY!! :)
Sofia
| Mon, 06-05-2006 - 8:21pm |


