Top 5 Signs of Hypothyroidism in Children Every Parent Should Know
The failure of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient amounts of necessary hormones leads to a state called hypothyroidism, and this medical condition strikes children and adults. Left untreated, the disorder may affect a child's growth, development, and overall well-being. For a parent, it is very important to identify early signs of the condition to be able to get proper treatment and prevent long-term damage. Here are the top 5 signs of hypothyroidism in children from The Mehra Clinic, the premium provider of the best pediatric hypothyroidism diagnosis and treatment in Virginia
Symptoms of Pediatric Hypothyroidism
1. Fatigue and Low Energy Levels
One of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism is persistent fatigue. If your child is oddly tired, lethargic, or can't keep up with peers, it may indicate a thyroid function disorder. The loss of some critical thyroid hormones typically results in a slowdown of metabolism and leads to long periods of feeling tired.
2. Slow Growth or Short Stature
Children with hypothyroidism have a tendency of experiencing delayed growth and short stature. If your child is not growing faster or even seemingly stunted, this may be part of the symptoms of pediatric hypothyroidism. Untreated hypothyroidism can even lead to delayed puberty in more severe cases.
3. Weight Gain
Among the others red flags is unexplained gain of weight, even though your child is normally eating and keeping active. This is one of the most evident symptoms since hypothyroidism slows down metabolism that leads to weight gain. So, if your child is gaining weight without obvious changes in diet and lifestyle, it's a must have his thyroid functions checked.
4. Cold Sensitivity
Children with hypothyroidism tend to be extremely sensitive to cold and may feel chilly, even in hot weather. If your child complains frequently of the cold or if his hands and feet generally appear to be cold to the touch, that could be a potential sign for a thyroid imbalance.
5. Dry Skin and Hair
One of the symptoms of hypothyroidism includes changes in texture in the skin and hair. The most common signs would be dry, scaly skin, as well as brittle or otherwise thinning hair. If the child's skin appears drier than it ought to be, or the hair seems to lose some of its shine and gloss, then a pediatrician should be consulted for the possibility of hypothyroidism as well.
Causes of Hypothyroidism in Children
In most cases, hypothyroidism in children is caused by an autoimmune disease that includes Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Here, the immune system will mistakenly believe that some parts of the thyroid gland are foreign and start attacking those parts. As a result, parts of the gland stop producing hormones, thus causing hypothyroidism. Other potential causes may be congenital hypothyroidism-present at birth, iodine deficiency, or effects of certain medications or therapy.
Diagnosis and Treatment
At The Mehra Clinic, we make sure to do a proper pediatric hypothyroidism diagnosis in Virginia. A common test that is employed in making the diagnosis of hypothyroidism includes a blood study to check the levels of T3 and T4, as well as TSH. In most cases, if the diagnosis entails hypothyroidism, we provide personalized treatments as per the patients need.
Such regular follow-up visits help assess how a child is responding to the treatment so that the administration of medication needs to be altered as per the response of the child. Early pediatric hypothyroidism diagnosis and treatment in Virginia would help children live a normal, healthy life without complications over long periods.
Conclusion
Knowing when your child might be suffering from hypothyroidism can make all the difference in terms of getting them the right care at the right time. Every stage of treatment will improve with early diagnosis. At The Mehra Clinic, we're here to guide you through every step of pediatric hypothyroidism diagnosis and treatment in Virginia.
Contact us today if you have any concerns or want an appointment. Together, we will be able to enhance the child's growth and development.