Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
Hi! My athletic 13 year old son hasn't been acting himself lately. Normally, he would be considered hyperactive, always running around and on the "go". However, over the last few months I noticed that he was complaining of increased headaches, being cold, becoming more withdrawn and taking naps. At first I thought it was a summer teenage thing. But when I noticed a glob of hair in the shower drain a few weeks ago, I immediately took him to the pediatrician. I JUST got the results back and they revealed some abnormalities: low thyroid, low vitamin D and a high PH. Unfortunately, the doctor has been on vacation and hasn't been available to discuss the results.
In the meantime I have decided to reach out to a nutritionist. since my son is a serious athlete (soccer player) and trains or practices 5-6 days a week, often three hours a day. I admit I do not know much about an athletes diet. Perhaps he is not eating well enough to sustain such a vigorous exercise regimen, He does eat healthy meals but I do cringe at his snack choices. He eats vegetables but doesn't like fruit and is allergic to nuts. It is my understanding that when your PH level is high, it is nearly impossible for the body to extract and absorb the nutrients properly throwing a wrench into the thyroid function.
So my question to the discussion board is: What should I be asking the pediatrician? Does a few numbers below the range warrant a request to see an endocrinologist?
Hope to hear from you guys soon --- I am worried.
J
In the meantime I have decided to reach out to a nutritionist. since my son is a serious athlete (soccer player) and trains or practices 5-6 days a week, often three hours a day. I admit I do not know much about an athletes diet. Perhaps he is not eating well enough to sustain such a vigorous exercise regimen, He does eat healthy meals but I do cringe at his snack choices. He eats vegetables but doesn't like fruit and is allergic to nuts. It is my understanding that when your PH level is high, it is nearly impossible for the body to extract and absorb the nutrients properly throwing a wrench into the thyroid function.
So my question to the discussion board is: What should I be asking the pediatrician? Does a few numbers below the range warrant a request to see an endocrinologist?
Hope to hear from you guys soon --- I am worried.
J
Can you post your lab results?
TSH/BLD/QN 1.490 Range is 0.70-6.400 MIU/ML
Vitamin D 25 Range is 30-100 NG/ML
PH/UA 9.0 Range is 5.0-8.0
I'm not as well versed on the numbers as others but I think an endocrinologist would be a good idea.
I had low vitamin D and take 2800 iu's to keep my level in range. It also causes fatigue. That's easy to correct but it didn't help fatigue much because there were other causes too for me. My endocrinologist recommended a nutritionist and other tests. I kept a food journal before my visit. I did it on-line. There are many that track activity and what you eat. My nutritionist didn't find anything that I needed to change but I did see days I didn't eat enough. You might try that as a start. They track everything, not just calories so you can see what to change. There is a list of foods to avoid with thyroid disease. Peanuts are on it but he already.
Gluten free helps some people. Organic soy is ok but other soy is modified. Basically fresh foods and organic is better for thyroid. I have daughters, both were in sports, but girls don't eat as much as my nephews so I can't help much there. You might speak to the school coach. My oldest was on a club soccer team and was big on discussing proper diet, etc. (The school coach didn't & we saw more injuries, etc. because they didn't have as good a program on nutrition, proper stretching & such.)
J
Also, the incidence of thyroid disorders in children have gone up in Japan (http://truth-out.org/news/item/20810-scientists-link-spike-in-thyroid-disease-to-fukushima-disaster).
Was your son recently in Japan? My sis went there for a short holiday and her thyroid problem got worse shortly after she returned.
And your son's levels are much to low for a kid his age.
A kid your son's age should not be having these issues. Or anyone else!
Thanks again.
J
I can't believe you're still going to that doctor! I would RUN away! So sad to have a doctor like that.