My 11 year old granddaughter had some recent blood tests, she's been feeling dizzy, fainted a couple of times, bloods came back with:Ferritin 24 (15-56)
TSH 12.8 (0.51-4.30)
T4 8.9 (7.40-15.60)
T3 not tested
Serum B12 320 (65-750)
Her GP said "it's probably a mistake we'll re test in 6 weeks, he is testing TSH, T4, T3 & TPO, my son explained I've got hashimoto's, paternal grandfather is type 1 diabetic.
I would be so grateful for advice please x
Make sure they test TG antibodies, folate and vitamin D as well
Ferritin is low
She needs full iron panel
Work on getting her to eat iron rich foods
Thank you, will they medicate her at 11? Does she need to be medicated?
If her tests show that the TSH is high and the T4 is low, she will very likely need to go on replacement therapy.
Thyroxine hormones are essential for our metabolism and involved in numerous important functions such as glucose and lipid metabolism, heart beat, growth, regulating body temperature, controlling muscle contraction, digestion, affecting mood as well as fertility. Therefore it is essential that she gets followed up and receives medication, if the numbers show a high TSH and low T4 and T3. Having low thyroid hormone levels over a long period of time can effect many other processes, therefore staying on top of this is essential.
If there is a strong genetic predisposition to Hashimoto's and other autoimmune diseases, there is sadly a much higher chance that she will be diagnosed with one as well.
Thank you, I've battled for a while to get diagnosed & treated, this group has helped me more than specialists & a certain GP so I don't "trust" the medical profession unfortunately, I suspect she does have hashimoto's 😔
Hashimoto's runs in my family too, my grandmother had it, my mother has it and I have it 🙄. I was diagnosed 21 years ago and am managing quite well now. The important thing is to get a diagnosis quickly when her levels are out of sync the next time too and insist on treatment. The longer the wait, the more damage the low hormones can do, which is not good in someone that young.
At the beginning, there will be ups and downs until she is on the right dose, but with actively watching her iron, Vit B12, folate and Vitamin D, it can be managed quite well.
Thank you very much, all the vitamins, iron etc need to be paediatric as well? 🤔
There are ranges according to age yes, but that should be given with the lab's analysis, as they tend to ask for the date of birth usually (for that reason).
If in doubt, best to ask the lab to clarify the reference range, as they could differ quite a bit from the paediatric one and you cannot easily compare.
My DIL sent over the sheet with all the blood tests on it, at the top of the page is her DOB clearly marked as 11y1m, one hopes that they used appropriate diagnostic information? Just feeling very sad for her as it's a long road 😞 I really appreciate you taking the time to reply x
Yes, one hopes for the appropriate ranges used for the age given - sadly these days you can never be sure. 😢
It will be a long road for her and it is sad that she struggles at such a young age, but as I have mentioned earlier, if it is recognised and properly treated early on, she should be fine and it won't hopefully impact her too much. It's good that she has your support and you can guide her appropriately, especially when GPs try to fob her off!
Be sure they are using paediatric reference intervals (ranges). By age 11, the differences are smaller, it is nonetheless important to do so.
helvella - Paediatric Reference Intervals
Discussion of the importance of using paediatric reference intervals for interpreting laboratory test results.
Last updated 18/07/2024
helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...
Thank you, the ranges I included are different to my ranges (NHS) so assume they're paediatric? For her TSH to be over 12 with the top end of range being 4.30 is worrying & her T4 very low, I'll read up on your link sent, appreciate it 🙂
I'm afraid you cannot make that assumption. The lab might, or might not, have any paediatric ranges, and even if they have some, unless they expressly say so, you cannot assume they have used them in the report you have.
You could try looking for the lab's handbook online and see if there is more information.
Or contact the lab and ask.
I'm sorry to add another burden to your trying to help. It shouldn't be necessary.
I’ve nothing useful to add but can’t help commenting on what the GP said. Fancy saying, “It’s probably a mistake.” 
What a ridiculous thing to say when she clearly has symptoms. 6 weeks feels like rather too long to wait.
I agree, but we've been there & back with doctors! My son & DIL accepted that statement, she was being tested for anemia etc....the TSH & T4 tested alongside a lot of others, TSH flagged, T4, within range at 8.9, both results were alarming for me 😔 at least they're re testing plus T3 & TPO (I've asked for TG to be added) maybe GP never seen a TSH over 12 in an 11 year old???
Perhaps not. All the more reason not to be so laid back about it though.
Do you think she might have had symptoms for a while?
Good morning, my first thought was he doesn't want to alarm them? But why wait 6 weeks? He is testing all the right things (hashimoto's) so he does have a clue.......I sincerely hope so. Not really symptoms as per weight gain, hair falling out, but she is tired all the time (gymnast) light headed, fainting, I've explained it to them both, appreciate your reply x
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