hypothyroidism and aggressive behaviour

[rebeccajv]

My daughter is 4 years old and was born without a thyroid gland, she takes her medicine every day but the dose changes frequently, my problem is that she can become very aggressive and vicous out of the blue, is this normal, is it to do with her condition? does any one else have the same problem, it is very upsetting and would love to speak to someone.

[Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD]

I do not think that the thyroid necessarily is to blame on the behavior concerns, but since she is on treatment I am assuming she has a pediatric endocrinologist, please be sure that you know her levels to be sure she is not on too much replacement, or perhaps too little, if this is fine work closely with your pediatrician for evaluation of nonendocrine reasons of the behavior concerns.

[rebeccajv]

Thankyou so much for getting in touch, i have put out so many posts and have had no reply's.
It is so hard when your child behaves badly, especially when you know it's not their fault but at the same time need to be told of.
I hope everything works out for your grandson.

[AnastasiaG]

Hi rebecca

I'm extremely interested in how your daughter is doing because I have a 4 year old grandson who is exhibiting the same behavior.  He however does not have the same problem as your daughter but he is 4 1/2 and on meds for ADHD.  His moods and behavior swing back/forth like crazy.  He does some really bizarre stuff sometimes.  A little background:  I have Hashimotos Thyroiditis, his mother had Graves at 14 and now is hypo after RAI and her father was just diagnosed with Graves.  I talked to my grandson's doctor (who is also my GP and my daughters) and she said that he definitely is at risk for Hashi's or Graves.  I have tried to look up a connection between thyroid disorders and ADHD but haven't had much time or success.  It sounds like this could quite possibly be his problem and needs to be tested.  I don't want him to have a thyroid problem but I also don't want him taking those awful drugs for ADHD when they are NOT working anyway.  I have a very strong gut feeling something else is going on and hopefully next week he can be tested.  Also, I don't know for sure, but my daughter was very much like my grandson and your daughter at that age as well.  I really think (but can't prove now unless her GP tests her) that she also has/had Hashi's at that young age.  She had so many problems from birth on that couldn't be explained.  It's very difficult to deal with a child with behavioral problems because you feel so helpless.  I remember just sitting and crying because I felt like it was my fault, bad mom, etc.  Now, I think I really didn't have anything to do with (except possibly genetics).  I think (and I don't know for sure because I'm not educated enough on this subject) that with age and the right dosages you're daughter will become less aggressive.  I think their dosages are hard to get right because they are constantly changing growing.  My daughter at 14 years had to go about 2 years before her meds seems to stabilize.  But now at 24, they re up/down all the time.  

I know this probably isn't much help to you but you can vent anytime.  I'm finding it helps.

I hope you have a great day.