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daughter's test results
My 6 yr old daughter has been dealing with stomach aches, leg aches, and behavior issues (mainly acting like an overtired 2 yr old as it gets later in the day). I have subclinical Hashi's, and many members of my family have Hashi's, so I asked our primary care doctor to test. She didn't do complete tests as I'd hoped, but I am hoping for some help with what information I was given pending getting in with an endo at our local Children's hospital, which could take a month or more.
Thyroid Peroxidase AB 17 IU/mL (0 - 18 IU/mL), Thyroglobulin Ab were undetectable, TSH 3.660 uIU/mL (0.600 - 4.840 uIU/mL) Thyroxine (T4) 8.5 ug/dL (4.5 - 12.0 ug/dL)
And if anyone has a child with Hashi's, any suggestions on what to look for or help would be appreciated as she can't really explain how she feels, I'm grasping at straws trying to figure out what is going on. Thanks.
Thyroid Peroxidase AB 17 IU/mL (0 - 18 IU/mL), Thyroglobulin Ab were undetectable, TSH 3.660 uIU/mL (0.600 - 4.840 uIU/mL) Thyroxine (T4) 8.5 ug/dL (4.5 - 12.0 ug/dL)
And if anyone has a child with Hashi's, any suggestions on what to look for or help would be appreciated as she can't really explain how she feels, I'm grasping at straws trying to figure out what is going on. Thanks.
Diagnosis of a child for thyroid issues is more difficult because symptoms are the most important diagnostic and it is hard to pinpoint with a young one.
From the test results the TPO ab is right at the upper limit. TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by many things such that it is only an indicator to be considered along with symptoms and levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3. That said, her TSH level , taken together with her TPO ab result makes me suspicious of hypothyroidism. It is unfortunate that they only tested for Total T4. They should always test for both Free T4 and Free T3, not Total T4 and Total T3, every time she goes in for tests. Is there any way you could get those tests done now?
I hate to discourage you but being an Endo does not guarantee a good thyroid doctor. Many of them have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and only pay attention to that. That is very wrong. If they test beyond TSH it is usually only for Free T4 and then they use "Reference range Endocrinology" and tell you that a test that falls anywhere within the range is adequate. That is also wrong. A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypothyroid patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve hypo symptoms without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.
If you will tell us your location perhaps we can suggest a doctor that has been recommended by thyroid patients.
From the test results the TPO ab is right at the upper limit. TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by many things such that it is only an indicator to be considered along with symptoms and levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3. That said, her TSH level , taken together with her TPO ab result makes me suspicious of hypothyroidism. It is unfortunate that they only tested for Total T4. They should always test for both Free T4 and Free T3, not Total T4 and Total T3, every time she goes in for tests. Is there any way you could get those tests done now?
I hate to discourage you but being an Endo does not guarantee a good thyroid doctor. Many of them have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and only pay attention to that. That is very wrong. If they test beyond TSH it is usually only for Free T4 and then they use "Reference range Endocrinology" and tell you that a test that falls anywhere within the range is adequate. That is also wrong. A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypothyroid patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve hypo symptoms without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.
If you will tell us your location perhaps we can suggest a doctor that has been recommended by thyroid patients.
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