Guest guest Posted December 17, 2004 Report Share Posted December 17, 2004 What are the common causes of hypo in children? My son was borderline at 6 yo. Now, at 11, and very heavy for his age, he was retested at my insistence. His FT4 was quite low, and they'll be starting him on treatment. His antibodies were tested and found to be normal. I'm not that knowledgable about causes of hypo. If it's not Hashi's, and it wasn't surgically removed, what other causes are there? Also, my dd had been tested for thyroid issues too. Her TSH was 2, and her total T4 was low. The new Dr tested her for antibodies (normal), and the frees. He sent a paper indicating that her FT3 was elevated. I won't get to talk to him about that until January as he's out of the office. Any ideas as to what would cause a low T4, but elevated FT3? One more question. The Dr. knows I'm on Armour and thought that was great, but wanted to call in a script for my son for synthroid. The nurse wasn't able to speak to him about Armour because he had left town, so we're holding off on the Rx until then. I would prefer to have him on Armour. But, if his FT3 is in a good range, and it's just his FT4 and TSH that aren't so good, what benefits does Armour offer? I'm taking it because my T3 is always low. Sisemore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2004 Report Share Posted December 17, 2004 It sometimes happens that T3 is transiently high in early hypothyroidism. Environmental toxins are a common cause of hypothyroidism. These might include, but is not limited to insecticides, solvents, flouride and other halide compounds, aluminum and other metals. The category of halide compounds, which displace iodine in thyroid hormone, would include chlorine, bromine, perchlorate (rocket fuel, now found in lettuce and milk), PCBs, dioxin. Exposure to radiation is another cause. An infection such as measles or mono can be the beginning of hypothyroidism, but usually results in Hashimoto's. Head injury, causing malfunction of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland causes central or secondary hypothyroidism. In that case, other hormones may be affected. Where you see multiple family members of all ages and both sexes with thyroid disorders, I would look for an environmental cause. My biochemist doc is hypothyroid, as is his wife, their natural daughter and their adopted daughter. They had a hypo cat, too, but Toodles did not make it. . . . .It makes you wonder. J Sisemore wrote: What are the common causes of hypo in children? My son was borderline at 6 yo. Now, at 11, and very heavy for his age, he was retested at my insistence. His FT4 was quite low, and they'll be starting him on treatment. His antibodies were tested and found to be normal. I'm not that knowledgable about causes of hypo. If it's not Hashi's, and it wasn't surgically removed, what other causes are there? Also, my dd had been tested for thyroid issues too. Her TSH was 2, and her total T4 was low. The new Dr tested her for antibodies (normal), and the frees. He sent a paper indicating that her FT3 was elevated. I won't get to talk to him about that until January as he's out of the office. Any ideas as to what would cause a low T4, but elevated FT3? One more question. The Dr. knows I'm on Armour and thought that was great, but wanted to call in a script for my son for synthroid. The nurse wasn't able to speak to him about Armour because he had left town, so we're holding off on the Rx until then. I would prefer to have him on Armour. But, if his FT3 is in a good range, and it's just his FT4 and TSH that aren't so good, what benefits does Armour offer? I'm taking it because my T3 is always low. Sisemore__________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2004 Report Share Posted December 17, 2004 This may sound really off the wall, but have your son eat a ton of Brazil nuts, and call me in one month, I mean a ton, like handfuls a day. His thyroid will improve. Selenium in the Brazil nuts... Kathy causes of hypo in kids What are the common causes of hypo in children? My son was borderline at 6 yo. Now, at 11, and very heavy for his age, he was retested at my insistence. His FT4 was quite low, and they'll be starting him on treatment. His antibodies were tested and found to be normal. I'm not that knowledgable about causes of hypo If it's not Hashi's, and it wasn't surgically removed, what other causes are there? Also, my dd had been tested for thyroid issues too. Her TSH was 2, and her total T4 was low. The new Dr tested her for antibodies (normal), and the frees. He sent a paper indicating that her FT3 was elevated. I won't get to talk to him about that until January as he's out of the office. Any ideas as to what would cause a low T4, but elevated FT3? One more question. The Dr. knows I'm on Armour and thought that was great, but wanted to call in a script for my son for synthroid. The nurse wasn't able to speak to him about Armour because he had left town, so we're holding off on the Rx until then. I would prefer to have him on Armour. But, if his FT3 is in a good range, and it's just his FT4 and TSH that aren't so good, what benefits does Armour offer? I'm taking it because my T3 is always low. Sisemore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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