Raised tsh in 8 year old boy

Hi, my 8 year old son has a TSH of 5.9, which I understand is slightly raised. I took him to the doc because I felt he had some similar symptoms to those I had when I had Graves Disease (headaches, short temper, protruding eyes, hungry but weight loss). He also has extensive vitiligo (about 85%body surface) which I know increases the risk of thyroid disease. The doc has said to repeat the TSH in a month or so - I'm just wondering if he ought to have any other thyroid screening at the same time, particularly as blood tests are fairly traumatic for him. Any advice much appreciated!

Answer Question

Read Responses (2)

Hyperthyroidism?

JMCGB

Hello, i have read most posts and hope someone can shed some light on my issues. For about 2 months I've been having all the symptoms of ...

Thyroid nodules

Erivera1214

I've had multinodular goiter for over 15 years. One large in left lobe of 2.2. cm with vascularity. TSH was 0.45. t3 and T4 normal. Raiu ...

Lab result interpretations help pls

Dobieboss

T3 total: 332; FT3 11.1; FT4 387, TSH <.005. My HR wakes me up at 100-120, I feel hot. I am 36. How bad is this? My endo does not seem...

What could be causing my high TSH

Shaawdy77

2 years ago I had my TSH only tested. It came back at 4.74 and I had multiple symptoms. My dr said that though my TSH was high normal, si...

Best Answer

goolarra

Definitely. FT3 and FT4 (free T3 and free T4) along with TSH are essential to diagnosing and treating thyroid problems. Since your son's TSH is elevated, it would indicate hypothyroidism rather than Graves' (hyper). So, I'd suggest having antibodies tested...TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies). These two would confirm Hashi's, and both are needed because some of us are TPOab positive, some TGab positive and some both.

In addition, given your history of Graves', it might be a good idea to test TSI (thyroid stimulation immunoglobulin).

Those will give you a much better idea of what's going on.

FT3
FT4
TSH
TPOab
TGab
TSI

Your doctor might also suggest a thyroid ultrasound, which is totally painless and will point out physical features of the thyroid.

Comment

2 Responses

Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest

gonecompletelybonkers

Hello there,
thankyou very much - that's really helpful, and much appreciated.

Helpful - 0

Comment

Next Question

Have an Answer?