Kids blood results

[Trudes]

After a massive battle GP took bloods on Friday and called to say my 9 yrs old daughter is Hyopothyroid. Also apologised saying they thought we were just being paranoid. They tested very little but gave me confirmation the following were out of range; TSH >99; T4 <5 (10-18); serum urea 7mmol (2.24-6); Creatine 67 (26-57). Thoughts welcome...

[trelemorele]

Wow!

That's very high TSH and extremely low t4.

Bsrd GP telling you, you're paranoid.

I'd file formal complaint for that behaviour. Not because it's going to change anything but on principle.

How was your daughter doing with such a bad results?

[Trudes in reply to trelemorele]

She is coping really well but I recognised the symptoms (weight gain, dry hair, puffy face, fatigue and lethargy, joint aches, teeth not growing, unable to fall asleep and wake up in the morning). I am incredibly worried about her she looks unrecognizable and I showed the change to the GP (Jan-Feb) and she didn't react at all. I just hope she won't be permanently affected.

[trelemorele in reply to Trudes]

Extremely sad for such a young child. I can relate to her symptoms but I was an adult and, though she's young lady, she's still at the age she doesn't know what's happening to her.

Kudos to you for perseverance!

You're a good mum!

Fingers crossed it won't affect her at all.

Was she put on meds straight away?

Keep close eye on her bloods. I would do next bloods in 4 weeks. Don't wait 6 - waste of valuable time!

[Trudes]

Thanks we will follow that advice. They prescribed 12.5 levo for 6 weeks with a referral to the children's hospital. Seems very low dose but I guess we all start that way. Myself I am on 150 but peaked at 350 whilst pregnant.

I am glad she has been referred as I have only ever been treated for this by my GP and am not convinced it's completely under control.

Are the kidney function results common with such a high TSH and low T4?

[trelemorele]

I have no idea about kidneys results, sorry. Why don't you Google her results see what comes up.

When I was diagnosed with similar thyroid levels to your daughter they didn't do any other tests so I can't even compare if my kidneys were / weren't abnormal due to hypo.

Yes looks like they gave her very low dose. But then again she's 1/3 of the size of an average adult so... They probably did it by weight.

See if she's doing progress in a week time. Hopefully.

Bless her.

[elwins]

My mum had the same problem with me 60 odd years ago, had to battle to find out what my problem was. Looks like nothing has changed much. Best of luck in sorting things out, she is lucky to have such a caring family.

[Marz]

I would also ask to have Thyroid anti-bodies tested - TPO & Tg - to rule out Hashimotos. Auto-immune thyroid is very common.

Also have B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD tested as they are usually very low when Hypo. Having good levels can help the thyroid hormones to work well.

Hope your daughter soon feels better. Great you were on the case 😊

[SuperL27]

When you get to the paediatric endo they are much more thorough! My daughter has hyperthyroidism and she is monitored very closely. Far better than the treatments adults get.

[Trudes in reply to SuperL27]

That's heartening to know Thanks. Was your daughter symptomatic when diagnosed or did you catch it early?

[activelazy in reply to SuperL27]

Yes! I have seen this happen many times (including my own child) but have always failed to understand why adults don't deserve the same level of attention and care as our children do. Do we not matter? This, I think is age related discrimination.

As soon as you are over 16, you can remain in hell.

[Trudes in reply to activelazy]

It seems that way. I am suspicious that the reason I have lupus and srojgens and antiphilosipid and polycythaemia is all because my underactive thyroid was ignored.

[SilverAvocado in reply to activelazy]

Although I agree with you that adults should get good treatment, too, the consequences for children are much higher. Being hypothyroid affects growth hormone, and impaired growth including the development of the brain.

Cretinism is the condition that used to be caused by untreated congenital hypothyroid.

[Trudes in reply to SilverAvocado]

Hence the derogatory term 'cretin?

[SilverAvocado in reply to Trudes]

Yes, this is my understanding. That originally Cretin was the term for a sufferer of childhood hypothyroid.

[Hidden]

I’d ask them to look deeper into her kidney function and ask for them to calculate her GFR. Puffy face lethargy can also be signs of kidney problems not only thyroid . I have read though somewhere that once thyroid is treated optimally it can lower the creatinine and return kidney function to normal. One thing can cause the other. Make sure they are keeping an eye on her kidneys. X

[Trudes in reply to Hidden]

Thanks this is my suspicion. I have lupus nephritis with level 3 and 5 kidney impairment. I hope very much she has not got any kind of kidney disease and that the urea and creatine is only linked to her thyroid levels being so extreme at present. I wonder how long the referral will take to come through. Should I go private?

[Hidden in reply to Trudes]

Ah bless you, you have a lot on your plate. So awful seeing your kids not right. I’ve read every publication going regarding kidney function and thyroid and there does seem to be a link so wouldn’t worry too much. Most studies have said that high creatinine is reversible with optimal treatment. Why don’t you call the secretary and see how long an appointment is likely to take? Only thing is what we found is that there doesn’t seem to be a great deal of paediatric endocrinologist around. We did see one privately at Birmingham Children’s hospital who was very good. X

[Trudes in reply to Hidden]

I hadn't thought of that especially since the sad loss of Dr Skinner.

We are in Scotland. I better start finding out who has a good reputation up here x

[Hidden in reply to Trudes]

Wish you lots of luck. Hopefully you get seen quickly and your daughter is feeling well again really soon. X