hypoactive thyroid and school difficulties

[CCB1991]

My 11 year old son was labeled as gifted and talented in the third grade.  An IQ in the 98%. He was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the 5th grade.  He retook the IQ test and fell 50% points, which caused him to place out of the program. ( extremely devasting to him) He no longer tests well on any of the llong end of grade tests. Do you feel the testing results are related to his thyroid? He has been put on generic synthroid and is in the normal range but continues to do poorly on the testing.  Any suggestions? How important is it to be in the right spot of the normal range??

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

A TSH of 11 is definitely not normal.  Your son needs to be properly assessed and treated for hypothyroid. Untreated hypothryoid can have impact on academic and social development.

Have you asked your son for what he thinks happened on the test?  Blanked out, tired, what?

Please get him seen by a pediatric endocrinologist.  Make sure you bring all his past resutls and also make a summary with key dates of what you have observed and what he is feeling.  

Please don't consider ADHD meds unless he is really and truely diagnosed with such and non-drug means don't help.

There likely is something going on here that can be treated.

Let us know how you and your son go.

[CCB1991]

His tsh was tested and it was at 11.  But even when it is in the normal range he has difficulties.  HE was the only child in his class who did not pass the end of grade reading assessment.  ( he is in the gifted class ) This was so devasting and humiliating for him. Others made fun of him.  He did fine in the class all year, but when it camea to the two hour long reading test he failed.

[stella5349]

What tests has he had and when you say "normal" what is that ?

[6hashi]

Hello ,
I have been through the same thing your son experiencing ,except for that he is diagnosed early , I can tell you that words can't describe what he is feeling ,you should adjust his dose properly , since even 50 mcg/week can make a huge difference .

all the best ,

[ckelly6156]

Been there! ADHD medications benefit more than just ADHD. I have never had ADHD but I had the brain fog so much my doc recommended it. It has changed my life!

Although he is very young for medication!!!!!

[Anu17]

His grades are suffering b'coz leaving with thyroid he must be having trouble concentrating a biggg issue  tired,sleepy ,brain fog,restless and for him  at this age keeping up with peer pressure and hormones kicking ,keeping up with study were you can't concentrate this poor guy is having tuff time but trust me he is very young he will do good once things will improve and with your support and patience.
My advice to you mom is even though he is out of AT prog. but if he keeps his grade high in regular prog. thats good as well.
Thomas Edison's  teacher use to call him addled /wonderer/confus if he would have been leaving  modern psychology had existed back then, Tom would have probably been deemed a victim of ADHD  and with a hefty dose of the "miracle drug" Ritalin. For which his  later home school him.His mom trusted his ability and knew his good just as you know his good .He became deaf due to sickness but nothing stop him from persuing his dream with the help of his mom he lighten the whole world. So as a consern mother you did took first step of getting help and finding awareness now help him persue his dream with patience and consistancy .
take care my wishes

[CCB1991]

His level was 11.  But even when it iwas in the normal range he was not performing as well as he did before he was diagnosed.

[Barb135]

What are his latest test results, along with lab reference ranges?  It's extremely important to be at the spot that makes him feel best - just being in the "normal" range, is not enough for most people.

If you post his lab results and their reference ranges, members can make more informed comments.