TSH levels in an infant

[kathy413]

My 7 week has had a couple of high TSH scores since birth.  Her first was taken a day after she was born and the reading was 29.  Although the Free T4 were normal. Her 2nd test was taken at 1 month of age and the TSH was 6.03, and she just had another test taken a few days ago and the TSH came out to be 10.7.  Im not sure why its so different or if it is technician error but is this something to really worry about???  Thank you

[magpieannie]

FYI: If you'd like, you can read my journal article (My Thyroidless Daughter- The Joy of My Life) on my profile page to find out more about our experience now and in those early days when my daughter was an infant.

[magpieannie]

No, nothing that I really noticed. She was just a really good baby who really didn't cry much. Her feet were cold and her great grandmother was always insisting that I put socks on her. We live in Texas, so it's not like it was ever very cold! Her legs were veiny and she took a few days between dirty dipers, which is not the norm for most breast fed babies. Had I known that she had no gland, I would of for sure nursed her for an additional year or longer. They say that 90% af brain development happens in that first 2 to 3 years of life. I don't think we raised her meds after that initial dose, as she was getting thyroid hormone through me so her blood work was always good. But when I quit nursing, that is when we had to keep upping her meds. This is when the doctor decided to do an ultrasound and a radioactive iodine scan, and nothing showed in either scan. I was shocked, as we had really thought that she had a gland and that it was just sluggish and would hopefully kick into gear over time! Not the case here though, so life goes on and we take our meds daily and forever, and have lab work every 6 to 8 weeks.

[kathy413]

yes i am nursing.  They haven't started her on any meds but I am going to call the ped endocronologist on Monday.  I don't quite understand why some of her test come out normal and others dont.  But thanks for the advice Did your daughter show any symptoms early on?

[magpieannie]

Are you by chance nursing? I ask, because I nursed and my daughter had high tsh at her newborn screening, but her t4 was good! This really confused the doctors! My daughter ended up not having a thyroid gland! Was not discovered missing however, until I quit nursing at 1 year and suddenly her t4 dropped and TSH went way up. I don't care what "they" say, breast milk does have lots of thyroid hormone in it, which can mask a bigger problem! Take your baby to a pediatric endochronologist right away. Brain and body development are dependent on the proper amount of thyroid hormone being available. Do not wait and do not take any chances! My daughter started taking synthroid at 3 weeks of age and is normal in every way! (she is 9 now and smart as a whip!)

[TamraW]

Kathy, please post the 'normal' FT4 score and an FT3 if you have it.

I've read that thyroid disease in children can cause growth issues, so keep an eye on her. The good news is that there is thyroid hormone replacement drugs. Completely safe. I take them.

:) Tamra