5 year old bi-polar?

[NancyMcgugin]

My 5 year old is being "guessed" to have bi-polar disorder, but his T3 uptake is "a little low".  Could thyroid be the cause of his "bi-polar"?  The docs won't run the FT3 because the TSH is normal.  Should I push this?

[littlemissfunshine]

Yes definately ask for a second opinion and keep on at them. I have been misdiagnosed for years and drs won't let me have a second opinion as they say i am now terminally ill but me and my husband are fighting in court for the years of "guessing". DO NOT GIVE UP. I know my case is different but the principle is the same and thats what the so-called experts need to understand.

[zuzanah]

Hi Nancy,

Please do not let them just "guess". First of all, diagnose 5 year old with bipolar is rare, not impossible but definitely rare. I know about couple of children who were mis-diagnosed as bipolar as children. I would advice you to get second opinion before starting with treatment for bipolar (unless your son is in danger to himself and he has severe symptoms), however if his symptoms are not severe, or they are general (as they can be signs of other disorders) I would definitely get second opinion on that.
If your doctor does not want to test him, change doctor.
Good luck and I hope your son will be better soon!

[gimel]

I agree with danie.  It is a shame that so many doctors mistakenly have the "Immaculate TSH Belief".  TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that it is totally inadequate as the main diagnostic for thyroid.  At best TSH is an indicator to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and FreeT4.  FT3 is actually the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  FT3 has been shown to correlate best with hypo symptoms, while FT4 and TSH correlated very poorly.

I expect that you are going to need to find a good thyroid doctor for your son, in order to make sure his thyroid status is properly tested and diagnosed, before being dismissed as a possible cause.  Testing absolutely must include Free T3 and Free T4, along with TSH.
You should also be aware that just having FT3 and FT4 test results that fall within the low end of the range does not mean that all is okay.  The ranges are far too broad.  Many members report that symptom relief for them required that FT3 was adjusted into the upper part of its range and FT4 adjusted to around the midpoint of its range.  Since Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, it would probably be a good idea to also test for the thyroid antibodies, TPO ab and TG ab.  

[danie17075rm]

It makes me sad to read your post.  I am working on my master's degree in Health psychology/ specializing in mental heal and thyroid disorders.  I would say absolutely pursue this.  I haven't read a whole lot of studies on kids, but thyroid disease in general does impact mental health.  Depression and anxiety are very common.  In a developing child, it would make sense.  I honestly believe MOST mental illnesses from children can be explained by organic causes.  I have access to peer reviewed studies on the subject, but if you google "bipolar and hypothyroidism" you should come up with some great info.  If you need me to research anything further, I will.  PLEASE, find a doc that will test this thoroughly and not be ONLY concerned with tsh.   I hope the little one starts feeling better.  Please don't settle for a "guess" of bipolar.  Go down every avenue before you accept that.  Good Luck.