6 year old thyroid levels

[laho444]

My 6 year old has gained 40 pounds in the past 16 months.  His doctor tested his thyroid and said that his levels were TSH 1.82 and Free T4 .084.  Doctor said they were normal.  What should levels be for 6 year old?  Should I be concerned about these levels with his weight gain.

[TamraW]

Your doctor did your son a disservice by not fully examining the thyroid. Your son has many symptoms of thyroid disease, particularly the night sweats and neck pain can be a sign of Hashimoto's.

TSH is a pituitary hormone and can vary given the day. The only way to diagnose Hashi is to test the Tgab and TPOab. Next, the doc should measure the FreeT4 and FreeT3 levels and treat from there. Finally, I would demand a thyroid ultrasound.

You need a good thyroid doc, not just a pediatrician. Thyroid disease does happen to children, and if left untreated, it can affect his development. Get this resolved now!

The below website is a link to recommended endos.Call the office and make sure the doc tests and treats both the frees and that the doc specializes in thyroid. Many endos see diabetes patients all day long and don't know squat about thyroid.

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/

Take care...
:) Tamra

[laho444]

Doctor did not give me ranges for the test and I have not been able to find them for a child.  Doctor just said they were ok.  He has days with little appetite and other days that all he wants to do is eat.  He complains with throat pain about once a week and clears his throat a lot.  He has constipation often, he has night sweats but is not hot.  He tires easily especially during activities.  He did not start gaining the weight till he had his tonsils and adnoids removed about 18 months ago.  He gained 19 pounds in the two months after his surgery.  This is why I am concerned about thyroid and am worried about his weight gain being a bunch of weight in a short period of time.

[magpieannie]

My daughter is nine and born without a thyroid gland. Whenever her thyroid levels were low due to medication issues in the past, she could really pack on the pounds and was very hungry all the time, especially for carbs. His TSH is okay, but the freet4 looks low. You need to have his free t3 tested to get the full picture. You should also get his antibodies tested (TPOab & Tgab). Please post those reference ranges and any other lab results that you get in the future and we'll be glad to give our opinions. Is he having any other symptoms of hypothyroidism? (hunger, constipation,fatigue, emotional,low basal temp. muscl or joint pain etc)

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

please post the reference ranges for these.  I can't properly comment without the ranges.

The TSH looks ok, but I suspect the FT4 is low.

What other symptoms does your child have.  Have his eating habits changed, or nothing has changed.