Hypothyroidism

[harnold]

My 16 year old son was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  I've been told that it's a complication of type I diabetes that he's had for 8 years now.  However, I'm not thoroughly confident in the endocrinologist we were referred to.  I'm at a crossroads of putting him on synthroid for the rest of his life or trying to get referred to another physician.  His pediatrician, one of the best type I docs on the east coast, verifies that his blood work is off.  Has anyone else dealt with this?  Just when I thought I had things down pat after 8 years, I've been thrown a curve ball.  My son doesn't grasp the situation, but I'm having some serious trouble.  Any advice, thoughts, or guidance would be appreciated.

[JDRF-VOL-RL]

Hi, I'm not a medical professional, just the parent of a kid with diabetes.  I don't know much about hyperthyroidism, but there is a lot of information available on the Children With Diabetes web site:

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/dteam/index_thyroid.htm

I'm still looking to see if I can find more information.  I do know of several people who have diabetes and thyroid diseases, so continuing with the treatment of the thyroid problem is a normal course of action.

[txgal70]

Maybe I'm missing something, but is there a problem to take synthroid. I have Hashimoto's and have been taking synthroid for the last 10 years. I fell horrible when my dose is too low, so couldn't imagine life without it. It is checked on a regular basis through my endo.

[JDRF-VOL-RL]

Here's another site with good information:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000356.htm

[JDRF-VOL-SG]

Yes, thyroid problems are often present in type 1 diabetics. So much so, that most doctors routinely check thyroid numbers every time we go in for checkups. So this is pretty typical. When the child's immune system attacks the pancreas, other endocrine glands also sometimes are attacked, and the thyroid is the most common one. Sometimes adrenal glands, too, though. txgal70's comment should be comforting to you, for many people take thyroid meds and live very normal lives. Unlike diabetes, which is an hour-by-hour adjustment, thyroid meds are easier to figure out proper doses for and don't have the fluctuation that insulin does.

[sas0722]

Our granddaughter was recently diagnosed with Type I diabetes and with hypothyroidism a few months prior to that. She is on synthroid daily, along with long-term and short-term insulin. She is ten years old and never used to complain about anything. Lately, however, she says she just, "Doesn't feel well." Are any of you parents/caregivers experiencing this type of complaint?

[Jaxigirl]

I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes and hypothryoidism at the same time in the hospital.  My hair, which is normally VERY VERY thick, was very thin and fine and my nails were tough and breaking, whereas they are very strong normally, and my skin was very very very dry.  The thyroid controls a lot of things in the body and should not be ignored.  Whenever my diagnosis is low, my hair begins to fall out again and I am extremely tired and cannot get out of bed or off the couch.  I would definitely recommend not to ignore this problem to insure the best!