Just diagnosed

[Jem1968]

My 12 year old daughter has just been diagnosed with under active thyroid. Any advice as to what questions we should be asking the doctors?

[greygoose]

For a start, always ask for copies of her blood tests - any blood test she might have. You need to keep your own records, and know exactly what was tested and exactly what the results were. It's your legal right as her guardian to have copies, under te 1998 Data Protection Act.

Then, if you post them here - with the ranges - people will be able to explain them to you. You need to learn as much as your can about her disease, so that you don't just have to rely on your doctor to know everything. Because he won't.

[Jem1968 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you

[shaws Administrator]

I'm sorry she is so young and am hopeful her doctor/endocrinologist is informative.

When your daughter has blood tests it should be the very earliest possible and fasting. She can drink water. Also allow about 24 hours between her last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards.

Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, i.e. when she gets up and wait about an hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake of hormones.

Or, bedtime dosing as long as she's last eaten about 2.5 hours previously. (If this dosing procedure is chosen, when having a blood test you miss this dose and take after test and it can also be taken at p.m. as usual).

Ask GP to also test, B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as we can also be deficient.

[Jem1968 in reply to shaws]

Thank you

[Clutter]

Jem1968,

Ask your daughter's GP whether thyroid peroxidase has been tested to confirm or rule out autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) as a cause of her hypothyroidism and request a printout or make a note of your daughters results and ranges after every blood test.

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before or 2 hours after food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D supplements and oestrogen.

It takes 7-10 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and it will take up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the dose.

Your daughter should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after starting Levothyroxine. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after the blood draw.

Most people will find symptoms resolve after their TSH drops to around 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range but symptoms can lag a couple of months behind good biochemistry.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[Treepie]

See if you can find a copy of Thyroid for Dummies.There was one in my local library .It is a very good explanation of thyroid problems and treatments.

A bit out of date now but easy to read.