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Thyroid Cancer, Nodules & Hyperthyroidism (Expert Forum)
Should we stop the meds?
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Mark Lupo, MD. Topics covered include Goiter, Graves Disease, Hyperthyroid, Parathyroid/Calcium Problems, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules/Cysts, Thyroiditis, Thyroid & Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Tests, and Thyroid Surgery.
Should we stop the meds?
by Concerned Father!, May 22, 2007 12:00AM
When our son was three days old we were told his TSH level was 7 to 10 times the normal range and that his T3 and T4 were within normal range as were his free T3 and T4. The doctors conducted tests, including a thyroid scan (no issues there) and started him on meds.
Today he is 10, almost 11, and still on Synthroid, test results appear with in normal range for T3 and T4 and they adjust meds as needed. His doctor retired and the new doctor wants us to stop his meds to see what happens. Based on the dangers, as explained when he was a newborn, I do not want to take the risk. Is there new information on his situation? When he was first diagnosed the doctor could only find one other case with the same symptoms, 100 miles down the freeway no less. We have been screened by a study at University of Chicago (patient, his sibling, parents, grandparents and all aunts and uncles), reviewed at U of Washington, Children’s Hospital and Mary Bridge with no one being able to answer why or finding other cases of the same symptoms. Are we missing something?
Today he is 10, almost 11, and still on Synthroid, test results appear with in normal range for T3 and T4 and they adjust meds as needed. His doctor retired and the new doctor wants us to stop his meds to see what happens. Based on the dangers, as explained when he was a newborn, I do not want to take the risk. Is there new information on his situation? When he was first diagnosed the doctor could only find one other case with the same symptoms, 100 miles down the freeway no less. We have been screened by a study at University of Chicago (patient, his sibling, parents, grandparents and all aunts and uncles), reviewed at U of Washington, Children’s Hospital and Mary Bridge with no one being able to answer why or finding other cases of the same symptoms. Are we missing something?
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., May 23, 2007 12:00AM
, May 23, 2007 12:00AM
If there is no visible thyroid tissue on scan or ultrasound, then stopping the medication is potentially dangerous as there would be no other source of thyroid hormone.
The most common cause is congenital agenesis of the thyroid -- ie, the thyroid never developed.
The most common cause is congenital agenesis of the thyroid -- ie, the thyroid never developed.
