My 12 year old daughter has hashimotos with under active thyroid. Here are her latest blood results:
TSH. 0.78
T4. 15.8
T3. 5.8
Antibodies 262.1
We as parents just want to help and support our daughter in any way we can.
We are just wondering if her symptoms are due to her under active thyroid or maybe something like ADHD. Some of her symptoms are temper tantrums, brain fog, fatigue, poor appetite.
Our major concern is the temper meltdowns so wondering if this could be ADHD also? Our doctor has assured us that behaviour has nothing to do with thyroid. Please help and we are so confused and worried. Thank you for taking the time
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Oysters1
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These are the same results that you posted a few months ago.
Please add the reference range for each test. This is important as ranges vary between labs.
It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.
Always take Levo on an empty stomach an hour away from food or caffeine containing drinks & other meds. Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them.
When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost.thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...
There is also a new company offering walk in (includes free blood draw) & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...
Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.
Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.
Well, some say that ADHD is a hypo symptom. Others say ADHD doesn't even exist. But it wouldn't surprise me if being hypo causes symptoms, like temper tantrums, which doctors have refused to admit have anything to do with thyroid (like yours!) and just stuck a lable on them, calling them ADHD.
Your doctor is very wrong. One time the pharmacist got my dose wrong, and gave me 50 mcg levo instead of 150 mcg. And, as the boxes looked very similar, I didn't notice for a month. Boy, did I have some temper tantrums during that month! lol But, as soon as I got back on my usual dose, they disappeared.
The brain needs a lot of thyroid hormone, so not surprising if a shortage affects our behaviour. After all, it's the brain that dictates our behaviour. And, if depression and anxiety can be hypo symptoms, why not a short fuse? But, that's doctors all over, never want to put symptoms down to their obvious cause: hypothyroidism.
Of course, we can't tell if your daughter is under-medicated because you haven't put the ranges. You were asked in your post of two months ago, but never did. Ranges vary from lab to lab, so we need those that came with your results.
Thank you so much grey goose. What you are saying is exactly what I think. I really believe that she does not have ADHD and that her temper is down to her hypothyroidism.
One time she was like a different child when the blood results were spot on but it seems to be hard to get the levels right.
I’m sorry I don’t have the ranges but she is getting her bloods again next week so I’ll ask then.
As her legal guardian, you are entitled to have print-outs of her results every time she has a blood test. That is the best way to get hold of them without any errors or anything missed out. Verbal is not acceptable. And, then you can keep her records for her, noting on the back the dose she is taking and symptoms remaining/what has improved. These notes will be invaluable in the future.
I don't want to throw something in from left field but 50 years ago, whilst I was working at a large mental health hospital, I read an interesting article from a consultant psychiatrist on the use of monthly B6 injections with women who had terrible PMT symptoms, resulting in aggressive and/or violent behaviour. B6 worked wonders! Wonder if it would be beneficial for this young girl?
I trust you get to the bottom of your daughter's issues. It's so hard being a parent when your child is suffering. We had similar issues with our daughter, fobbed off with IBS from GP, consultant+it was Dr Sarah Myhill who sorted everything! She suffered for 10 yrs+one appt with Dr Myhill got to the bottom of everything!
I was actually thinking along the same lines but I was thinking low B12 as it can cause brain lesions.Sally patcholok is a nurse who wrote a book called "could it be B12 an epidemic of misdiagnosis "
She also made a film which you can watch on YouTube.
I was astounded at how much damage low B12 can cause.
It also has co- factors which need to be optimal so our body can absorb it.
People have been diognoised with dementia, autism, schizophrenia, ADHD,Parkinsons when in fact it turned out to be deficient B12
I could go into great detail here but it's a lot.
Honestly have a look at the book/film you will be very suprised
I would love to know more to help our daughter more. She fainted on her way back from work a couple of weeks ago. Went to give blood+they wouldn't take it as she could do with a pint. GP surgery rubbish to the nth degree+you can't get an appt. Tried MMH for blood test but both times blood coagulated as just couldn't get enough out of her. Suggesting Medichecks with blood draw@superdrug near her. She is so busy@work+always exhausted. I've hashis+my mum was on levo too but never tested for autoimmune. Back then, even though I'd been on Levo for 25 yrs, I didn't have a clue+my GP was ok. Was on 200mcg a day to feel ok. Now on Levo/T3 combo from private Endo as moved, different surgery who have no clue whatsoever! After ending up in surgery assessment cos of mega reduced levo (cos suppressed TSH frightened their pants off), I took things into my own hands, got private Endo referral+so, so much better!! Now need to get our daughter so much better, too.
I can understand that. But, the thing to keep in mind is: one step at a time. And the first step is to get hold of, and learn to understand, her blood test results: what was tested and what the results were, because doctors are notorious for not knowing how to correctly interpret blood test results.
I am the mom of a 17 year old, currently iron anemic, thyroid panel ambiguous and antibodies negative.
One step at a time is saving my sanity.
Let me also prepare you for what you already know is coming, but until it happens you won’t REALLY know… teenage girls are… how shall I say… very emotional. To say the least !!!!
A friend of mine once said that aliens abducted his sweet little 13 year old and returned her when she was 19.
For me - it was 14-17.
So from one parent to another - one step at a time, be steady, and since you know she has Hashis, come back here with new bloods INCLUDING RANGES. And the forum will give guidance to optimize her thyroid. Which is a root cause of many things. So take time to treat that. Watch symptoms fade - physical AND emotional. See what’s left and then take it from there.
Like us older ladies and menopause - mirror image with teenagers and growing up through puberty - it does cloud your observations. The first steps to optimizing thyroid will be easier to tackle. One step at a time.
Is she losing weight? Thats something to keep a close eye on and take speedy action if there’s any sign of an eating disorder or coeliacs needs to be ruled out
Apart from optimising her hormones as much as you can, which is tricky because of course she’s got a lot more oestrogen and stress type hormones kicking in right now, there’s q a bit you can do to support her on an emotional level. Encourage her to keep on doing stuff with you, do things together you enjoy. There’s a temptation at this age for them to disappear to their bedrooms. Just listening and reflecting back what you’re hearing rather than being in too much parental mode and advising will help her feel you’re alongside her.
If the school has a wellbeing person you could see what they have to offer her in the way of counselling or mentors. It’s a really difficult time to be a teen and she might need this additional support.
I would also consider B12. Has she ever had active B12 tested? Lots of ADHD info on children on B12info.com and they were suffering from low B12. Sometimes oral supplements don’t work and underlying issues with absorption, transport in the body and genetics. Lots of problems with diagnosis as usually total B12 is tested and even that isn’t clear cut! Try this rabbit hole as well, that website is great!
Hey! Definitely agree with the advice already given about one step at a time and checking all her vitamin markers are optimal first. However, I have ADHD and Hashimoto’s. My ADHD medication changed my life and MASSIVELY reduced my chronic fatigue. It helped me manage my emotions better, eat better and function like a real human. Generally, if you don’t have ADHD, the medication wont be that effective as it is a stimulant and would just feel very ver intense. However when I take it, I don’t feel ‘high’ at all, just clear minded and like replying to an email is a simple 2 second task instead of hell.
It’s so hard when you suspect multiple conditions, especially when one can’t really be physically proven. I found lots of my health problems get fobbed off and blamed on having PCOS (hence why hashimotos took so long to diagnose). Whilst your daughter probably doesn’t have ADHD, if she’s still struggling with these symptoms once her thyroid is under good control, don’t ignore them. If she has ADHD, diagnosing it sooner rather than later could be a game changer for her, even without medication. Good luck with it all, really hope she/you get some answers and things get better.
I agree with everything mentioned here. I have both a thyroid condition and ADHD and actually found my ADHD symptoms were more pronounced once I got my thyroid under control.
From research I know there is a link between the 2 so very possible she has both.
I agree with everything mentioned here. I have both a thyroid condition and ADHD and actually found my ADHD symptoms were more pronounced once I got my thyroid under control.
From research I know there is a link between the 2 so very possible she has both.
I have Hashimoto’s and I have done few Psychological tests as a guinea pig for when my daughter was in training…I scored for more testing in ADHD and Autism (not diagnosed) so my diagnosis isn’t confirmed it was mentioned to get proper diagnosis more tests required by her supervisor at the time (qualified)… but if NHS screened me which is the tests I did, I would fall into this area of more testing. I never followed it up as didn’t see the need at my stage in life.
I can see common known areas I have which may point to why, as I’m hyper vigilance and easily distracted and have always had a butterfly brain - flitting to one thing to another and hyper senses noises drive me mad sometimes and light disturbances but it’s not to a real problem day to day life, of course I guess it can be other things not just Psychological.
I’ve always collected stuff and researched things way beyond needed just because I can and just very eclectic I guess in some people’s eyes.
My daughter is now a consultant Psychologist qualified by a doctorate with clinical and research experience in NHS & privately now.
If you want a proper professional opinion and advice re ADHD I wouldn’t be asking a GP for information in Psychological areas, you may get the odd GP with experience in these areas and joining the dots together if they’ve encountered anything similar, but if they’re going off their screens and guidelines I doubt it will be there.
I actually don’t know if there’s any link to be honest I will ask my daughter if she knows anyone in the field to give any information about this but my daughter doesn’t specialise in this although knowledgeable. She doesn’t like labelling people she says we are all on a scale of something or other, but where areas cause problems in day to day life it may be helpful to seek help if other things have been addressed.
Obviously there’s hormonal imbalances which puberty, pregnancy and peri/menopause etc in women that can cause some hiccups
Have you asked your school if they have noticed anything, they can sometimes help if you think there’s areas this is impacting her learning and wellbeing.
Hello,This must be very worrying for you. I am much older but have had Hashimoto's for most of my life (been on thyroxine 41 years). Looking back, I think it's highly possible that I had it much earlier but it wasn't picked up. My parents complained of my temper tantrums. My teachers asked my mum why I was always so tired. I experienced Brian fog. My mother used to say 'you don't eat enough to keep a bird alive'. Does this sound familiar?
It's too much to write here but I strongly suggest you closely observe your daughter's reactions following eating or after exercising. Does she experience hypoglycemic type symptoms? She might be better off eating lower carbs but 6 small meals a day and whenever she feels shaky, as well as during exercise, take a glucose tablet. She may have 'IPS' aka 'Adrenergic Postprandial' which is recognised as a syndrome but hardly any research has been done on it.
Unfortunately most doctors here in the UK aren't really aware yet (of (IPS) but in the USA some endocrinologists are. I think it may be related to Hashimoto's but is seriously under researched.
The best person to help you currently would be a diabetic dietician. (NHS).
Oysters1 Agree with the above, your daughter is so lucky to have you figuring out this thyroid thing.
I chalked up my daughter’s fatigue, headaches, moodiness to just being a teenager. She was 14 when she started complaining, and it was pandemic, and I just said - get more sleep, stay hydrated, soldier on!
You have been given a gift of those blood test numbers, and will do her a world of good as you help her with it all.
Teenagers are sooooo hard! It’s a wonder any of us got through it!!
heart of apple also can I ask when or how did your temper tantrums stop? Was it when your medication was correct. And did you ever experience headaches?
Well I am 66 now and can't really remember having loads of headaches though interestingly my son, who is 25, suffered badly with them as a pre-teen and needed a consultant's advice. She said they would get worse at puberty and they did. He was on medication for a while. I mention this because he is quite similar to me in makeup so it might be a genetic inheritance. Also, as grown man he recognises that his headaches (which are now much less frequent) seem to be related go tiredness so if hour child is tired ( and she will be with an under active thyroid gland), then that could be the reason why she gets frequent headaches.
You won't find much online about IPS but I can tell you what I have found out .
A diabetic consultant at Addenbrookes Hospital (Cambridge) told me it is in the medical literature. They can see it' s a syndrome (rather like 'Coeliac' was before they realised it is an actual condition.
I found a Professor of Endocrinology in New Orleans who works with diabetic children, who told me that what they think happens is this: as with all of us, when we eat the carbs in our food are changed into sugar which is our fuel for energy. Having high blood sugar is dangerous for the body so the pancreas releases insulin to push down the blood sugar to a safe level.
This happens to everyone unless you have Type 1 Diabetes. The problem for those with IPS (Idiopathic postprandial syndrome) is that AT THE POINT of change of direction of the blood sugar (as it goes down) the body seems to make a mistake and pours out adrenalin. This then explains why, when IPS patients have their blood sugar tested, it is within the normal range but the adrenaline produces a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, e.g shaking, sweating, brain fog, sudden bad temper, a sense of fading away, etc etc. I sometimes get a really hollow feeling in my tummy too.
It's a very difficult problem because we have to eat to stay alive. My diabetic dietician (I am not diabetic in the usual sense of Type 1 or 2) advised me to drip feed in carbs to give the body time to deal with small amounts at a time.
I am not qualified medically but most of my life have been turned away by doctors or misdiagnosed, therefore I have been doing the research myself and you now know pretty much all that I know. I amn continuing to research though and maybe somewhere in the world there is someone who understands the relationship between Hashimoto's and IPS as I believe there is.
Also look at your family on both sides.
In my family my father has severe rheumatoid arthritis (which is auto immune) and in my mother's family there were loads of diabetics, both Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 us autoimmune as is Hashimoto's.
I hope this helps a bit. Show it to your doctor or endocrinologist if you can find a sympathetic one. I hope times have moved on a bit since the days when I was patted on the head and told it was all in my mind or that it was all part of growing up. Your child is lucky to have you on her side. Good luck.
Your doctor is right, sounds like she’s having meltdowns due to burnout/over stimulation. The antibodies are considered quite low and even in remission as some markers say it has to be over 35. The only symptom that could be thyroid is fatigue. The rest sound like they could be adhd. Good luck with getting her assessed for adhd. I have both
Hi, i worked with young adults with behavioural problems, it probably is down to her age, her hormones going into pubity and possible ADHD it is worth getting her assessed, if you can get her assessed you will be able to claim disability allowance for her. I’d go back to your doctor and ask for her to be assessed so you can at least start to rule things out, your entitled to a 2nd opinion. Good luck!!
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