12 Year Old Daughter Not Eating On Synthroid

[Roboman]

Our 12 year old daughter is taking 12.5 mcg of synthroid for hypothyroid and she has no appetite. She also has celiac disease so that's an added challenge. She used to have such a great appetite but ever since taking the Synthroid she has no appetite. She only weighs 60 pounds and has not gained any weight over the past 8 months. Is there anything we can do? Our doc is no help. She was on 25 mcg a year ago but was having bad symptoms.. racing heart, trembling and that went away when it was reduced to 12.5. Please help!!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The dose of synthroid is low making me wonder if a trial off the medication with follow-up thyroid labs after 4-6 weeks may be wortwhile to see if her appetite improves.  Synthroid (or other thyroid meds do not typically decrease appetite) -- if the appetite improves off synthroid but labs reflect that she needs thyroid med -- may try levoxyl to see if the same thing happens.

[NURSELPN]

What was her last thyroid labs? It sounds like she may be hyper again. I became nauseated when I looked @ food when I was hyper..  If you post her last couple of labs Dr. Mark could get a better picture too.                 Good Luck

[Roboman]

Thanks for your help. I made an error in the amount she is taking. She was at 37.5 mcg and went down to 25 mcg. Here are the results taken when she was on 37.5. I don't have the latest results (Doc says they are fine) but I'll get them.

   Result      Range
    
TSH 1.72       (.27 - 4.20)

Free T4 1.54   (.81 - 1.68)

Total T3  117   (80-200)

[Roboman]

Yes, I would like Dr. Mark to comment. Before she went on synthroid she was tested positive for both hypo and hyper antibodies. Her doc says there is no connection or improvement with celiacs once they go on a gluten free diet. We have read  contrary information on that but he insists there is no connection.