Learn about the thyroid and associated conditions from AboutKidsHealth
GUEST BLOG: Alisha Papineau, AboutKidsHealth
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that makes chemicals called hormones. These hormones enter the bloodstream and impact how the body makes cells, uses the food you eat, and even how your brain works. They also play an important role in human growth, body temperature control, digestion, body weight and mood.
Factors like autoimmune disease, damaged thyroid, iodine intake and diabetes can cause the thyroid to either become overactive (hyperthyroidism) or slow down (hypothyroidism).
To mark January as Thyroid Awareness Month, here are some facts from AboutKidsHealth on the thyroid gland, what it does, and related conditions.
Hyperthyroidism:
In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, which can cause symptoms such as:
- weight loss
- increased appetite
- mood swings
- diarrhea
- bulging eyes
Treatment for hyperthyroidism usually includes medication to lower the thyroid hormone levels.
Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism, and it occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormone, slowing down many body functions.
Babies with hypothyroidism will show different symptoms than children and adolescents; however, the majority of babies have no symptoms. Those who do may experience:
- jaundice
- low body temperature
- poor appetite
- hoarse cry
Children with hypothyroidism may experience:
- weight gain
- cold intolerance
- sleepiness
- difficulty concentrating
- low heart rate
- goitre (enlarge thyroid gland appearing as a mass in the neck)
Some children may experience many of these symptoms, while some will not experience any at all.
To diagnose hypothyroidism, doctors use two main blood tests. One checks the level of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and the other checks for low levels of T4, another thyroid hormone. Your physician may also want to get a scan of your child’s thyroid to check for abnormalities.
Hypothyroidism is treated with a synthetic (man-made) thyroid hormone in both children and babies. Children with hypothyroidism need to have blood work done regularly and will likely need their dose adjusted as they grow.
AboutKidsHealth is SickKids’ health-education website and features more than 3,500 articles on a range of paediatric health topics. Find more information on the thyroid and associated conditions at aboutkidshealth.ca.
