One year old with microcephaly: Hi, my son of 1... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,148 members160,828 posts

One year old with microcephaly

WGrimm profile image
9 Replies

Hi, my son of 12 months has been diagnosed with mild microcephaly. I know thyroid can play a part which they dont seem to want to investigate at the moment. He had tsh of 2.7 and free t4 of 20.4 several months ago. I would like him to have extensive thyroid blood work done. As he is only little i dont want several attempts of test a bit here and then go back for another blood test. I want everything in done that could possibly show that there might be thyroid issues. I have got these so far but maybe people can think of other tests that should be added

TSH

total T4 and free T4

total T3 and free T3

Thyroid Binding Globulin

Thyroid Stimulating Antibodies

Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin

Maybe sth to check pituitary gland? Or anything else people can think of?

Thank you.

Written by
WGrimm profile image
WGrimm
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

WGrimm,

TSH, FT4 and FT3 are sufficient to determine whether your son is euthyroid, hypothyroid or hyperthyroid. Total T4 and Total T3 are rarely used in the UK.

It's unlikely your son's paediatrician will do a battery of tests speculatively. TSH 2.17 doesn't indicate hyperthyroidism and if FT4 20.7 was within range that definitely rules out hyperthyroidism so there's no point in testing thyroid stimulating antibodies and thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin which when high confirm Graves disease which causes hyperthyroidism.

WGrimm profile image
WGrimm in reply to Clutter

Thank you for your reply. His tsh was 2.7. Maybe you ment that and it was just a typo? I was going to pay for it privatley so thought once there is a needle in his arm best to do as many tests as possible just to be sure. What do you think of vit d, folate, iron, b12 and iodine? I read that there can be problems with them because of thyroid issues.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to WGrimm

WGrimm,

It was a typo but 2.7 is still euthyroid.

I think you're wasting your money getting a private thyroid test but if you are determined to do so look for TSH, FT4, FT3, thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies. I don't know whether Blue Horizon, Genova or Medichecks test for Graves Disease. Blue Horizon Thyroid Plus 11 includes ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate, but check that it is available as a vaccutainer venous draw via phlebotomist because I think you will struggle to collect enough blood from a finger prick test in such a small child. thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

WGrimm profile image
WGrimm in reply to Clutter

Finger prick sounds good. Do you know if i could just do that myself with him at home? If rewer things can be done with the finger prick i would be ok with that. I mainly figured if they are taking a bottle or two anyway to then test for as much as possible. But if i could just do a finger prick at home with him that would be great. Who offers the finger prick please? Otherwise i was thinking of him having the blood taken at our local nuffield. Thank you very much.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to WGrimm

WGrimm,

The Blue Horizon Thyroid Plus 11 is a finger prick test. I would contact BH to check whether it is suitable for an infant.

WGrimm profile image
WGrimm in reply to Clutter

Thank you.

WGrimm profile image
WGrimm in reply to Clutter

Hi, do you know if the below blood test all test sth different or is there overlap

Total t3, free t3, t3 uptake and reverse t3

Thank you.

gabkad profile image
gabkad

WGrimm, is your son being fed baby formula? Because the ones with added iron and with GOS are excellent. Formula contains iodine, selenium, vitamin K1, etc. etc. If he's drinking formula, his B12, etc. should be good. The only thing you need to add is vitamin D3 (the drops.)

WGrimm profile image
WGrimm

He has some formula but it is quite difficult to get it into him, just ittle swigs here and there. He refuses bottles, just wants to breastfeed. I am not worried about intake though, just want to have them tested as deficiencies can indicate a thyroid problem, regardless of how much is going in.

You may also like...

11 year old with hypothyroidism

her tested as I recognised her symptoms were similar to mine, she had two tests in 2016 6 months...

Goiter in 10 year old

have him back to the Dr this week and want to argue that I want tests and it sorted out but what...

400mcg a day since 16 years old

I had a full thyroid removal when I was younger 16, severely overactive thyroid/ graves etc....

My 10 year old has Autoimmune thyroid.

diagnosed with Autoimmune thyroid last year July 2019 after blood test showed her tsh at 7.8 and t4...

My 16 year old Daughter

eat more meat and no need for further blood tests. After several symptoms (restless legs syndrome,...