My daughter has hypothyroidism
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I have just been to see a doctor to discuss the development of my child.
He said she has got hypothyroidism, which is shown in her low thyroxine of 51mg/l and a dsh of 94 units.
Could you please tell me more about what this means as the doctor only told me briefly. Is it serious?
Do I really need to worry about it? Will she recover 100 per cent? I would be very grateful if you could tell me what it all means.
Answer
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland (situated in the neck) becomes underactive.
In children this is particularly serious if it is present at birth (congenital hypothyroidism) because if it is not detected and treated quickly it can cause mental retardation, stunted growth and other abnormal development – a condition known as cretinism.
If hypothyroidism develops in children after two years of age mental retardation is not a danger, but physical growth may be slowed and new teeth delayed. If treatment is given late, adult growth could be affected.
Sometimes the thyroid gland becomes underactive because of other conditions such as a problem with the pituitary gland in the brain, but if the problem is localised to the thyroid gland the only treatment required is replacement thyroid hormone in the form of thyroxine. This will need to be taken every day for the rest of the child's life.
If you have specific questions about your daughter's hypothyroidism do try and talk again with the doctor who is looking after her.
Yours sincerely
The Medical Team
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