goiter in 10 year old

[Brooke_38]

I have expressed concern about my 10 yr old daughter's goiter to her pediatrician. She ran a simple thyroid function test and said that it was nomal. What I find abnormal is that with the presence of a goiter and family history on both sides for thyroid disease, I feel that this Dr should be running more than simple labs. I was dx at 14 with severe Grave's and had a total thyroidectomy at 17. Both of my husband's sisters had thyroid disease( one had Hashimoto's and the other has hypothyroid)

In light of the strong family hx of this disease, would you suggest that her pediatrician should be more aggressive with running further diagnostic tests ie. antibody tests and scans? Also, do you think that I should just forget this Dr and find a pedi specialist? We live close to Boston so I was thinking of pusuing a Dr at the Joslin Clinic? Any suggestions you could offer you would be great!
Thanks

[Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD]

You are describing a thyroid goiter with normal labs according to your doc's report. She may very well have normally functioning thyroid but may have positive antibodies responsible for the gland enlargement. I would ask your pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric endocrinologist. They can repeat the tests if needed, adding to the panel with antibodies if appropriate and feel the gland and decide about imaging like an ultrasound.
Joslin is excellent and you should be in good hands. Dr. Laurie Cohen is an excellent endo in Boston at Dana Farber and also at Boston Children's.

[EMSMOM97]

Hi,  i'm having similar thyroid issues with my almost 11 year old daughter.  I am so confused and cannot get any straight answers.   I've tried looking it all up online and everything.  My post about my daughter is right above yours.  Maybe we could compare notes or something.  I know I need answers that make sence.

[chellabob]

I also have a 10 yr old with a goiter-just diagnosed a couple of months ago.  Most of her thyroid labs were good with the exception of tsh levels hich were slightly elevated.  Strangely enough it is not autoimmune-meaning her antibodies were normal.  I was referred to peds. endocronologist at Joslin center in Syracuse NY.  Dr. put my daughter on 37.5 mg of levoxyl.  We'll see down the road what the outcome is but I would tell your pediatrician that you demand her to be seen by an endocronologist.  They can't ignore you and be persistant-it took me five years of dr running.  Also, thyroid disease runs very prominently in my family, including myself.  Good luck!!!!!!!