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Hypothyroidism misdiagnosis
My daughter was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and she is only one year old. She tested normal at birth but at 9 months the tests started coming back elevated and now at 12 months she has gotten this diagnosis. However, the reason they did the bloodwork was because she is losing weight. She has none of the symptoms. The doctor stressed that I need to start her on medicine right away to prevent problems and the pharmacist told me that the doctor is right and every nurse I have called has told me that her levels were elevated so I need to start her on the medicine right away. This is not lining up with the research that I have done and even the doctor is unsure of this because he is contacting the university of somewhere for advice. I really don't know what to do so I have started the medicine, but I still don't think it is the right thing to do.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hyperthyroidism causes an excess in thyroid hormone, speeding up the body's metabolism and sometimes causing weight loss as a result, even if the child's appetite per se seems OK.
Confusion often arises re: diagnosis of thyroid problems, because one of the lab tests is for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). Hyperthyroidism would be accompanied by low TSH levels, not high TSH levels. Be sure to pin all this down with the doctor: ask what is high (hyper....) and what is low (hypo....).
Weight gain would be an understandable result of hypothyroidism because the body's rate of metabolism slows down. TSH level would be elevated in a hypothyroid case. The levels the nurse spoke about may have been TSH level (other levels investigated in thyroid function are T3 and T4 -these would be low in the case of hypothyroidism and high in the case of hyperthyroidism).
Confusion often arises re: diagnosis of thyroid problems, because one of the lab tests is for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). Hyperthyroidism would be accompanied by low TSH levels, not high TSH levels. Be sure to pin all this down with the doctor: ask what is high (hyper....) and what is low (hypo....).
Weight gain would be an understandable result of hypothyroidism because the body's rate of metabolism slows down. TSH level would be elevated in a hypothyroid case. The levels the nurse spoke about may have been TSH level (other levels investigated in thyroid function are T3 and T4 -these would be low in the case of hypothyroidism and high in the case of hyperthyroidism).
Definitely get back to him with your questions.
That is what he said, hypo. It is why I am confused. The medication is also for hypo and gives advice about not using it for weight loss.
Are you sure the doctor didn't say hyperthyroidism rather than hypothyroidism? It is the former that is typically associated with weight loss.
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