Pediatric Thyroid Disorder
There are various thyroid disorders that can affect children. Generally their thyroid gland will not produce enough of the needed thyroid hormones, and without this necessary hormone in the bloodstream the body will not function normally. This type of thyroid disorder is called hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. What happens is your child will not grow normally, and you will notice growth and development problems. Some other symptoms of this thyroid disease, hypothyroidism is chronic tiredness, difficulty dealing with cold, constipation, and a slowed heart rate.
There are many other types of thyroid disorders that can affect your child just like an underactive thyroid there is also a overactive thyroid, which is called hyperthyroidism. This will produce excessive amounts of the pediatric thyroid hormones, and the result of this can be excessive sweating, unable to tolerate heat, weight loss, rapid heart rate, and fatigue are just a few of the symptoms.
These are just two of many thyroid diseases that can affect children of all ages. Its important that you understand that both of these and many of the other types of thyroid disorders can all be treated through various treatments. Its not the end of the world, but it is important that you get your child diagnosed early to begin treatments in order for you child to develop correctly.
There is not an exact cause of thyroid disease that can be determined, but there are some theories on why kids get thyroid disease. Generally this condition is inherited; maybe you can remember someone in your family or a relative who has this condition. Another reason is an unfortunate thing that happens during the development of growth while your baby is in your belly. Its a result of your baby not developing enough before birth.
If you feel that your child has many of the symptoms associated with either of the thyroid disorders listed above you may want to consider taking your child into the doctor to have him or her checked out. The pediatrician will examine your child and may choose to run some blood test to check how much of the thyroid hormone the body is producing. The blood test will determine if your child has hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and if one of the tests are positive you will need to begin the necessary treatments. The treatments are simple and will help to give your child a normal life, and be just like every other kid.
