Can Kids Have Thyroid Issues? Magna Centre
Thyroid issues are often seen in adults but they can even affect babies and children. Most parents of school-aged children feel surprised to learn that thyroid problems can even affect their children.
Thyroid issues in children can impact their bodies in different ways, depending upon the level of their thyroid hormones and the type of thyroid disorder they have.
In this post, you can learn about the thyroid, the cause of thyroid issues in children, common thyroid problems in children, and how the best thyroid doctor in Chennai at Magna Centre helps diagnose and treat thyroid problems.
All About Thyroid
The thyroid is a 2-inch-long gland having two lobes present on either side of the windpipe. It sits in front of the inside of the neck, just beneath the voice box. It consists of two types of cells: follicular and parafollicular. Most of the thyroid tissues have follicular cells that secrete triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)- the iodine-based hormones.
Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating the body’s metabolism. Both T3 and T4 hormones stimulate all the bodily tissues to produce proteins and increase oxygen use by the cells. They help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, energy level, efficient use of calories from the ingested food, and how cold or warm one feels. In young children, thyroid hormones have a critical role in brain development and growth.
What are the common thyroid issues in children?
Any inconsistencies or abnormalities in the thyroid gland are referred to as thyroid issues that can lead to health complications. The most familiar, commonly occurring thyroid issues in children are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Other, less common ones include thyroid nodules and cancer.
Hypothyroidism in children
As the name suggests, Hypothyroidism is an endocrine condition wherein the thyroid hormones are not enough in the body so the system has started to function slowly. Newborns can inherit the condition from their parents or children can acquire them in their late childhood. The common symptoms of Hypothyroidism in children are:
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Constipation
- Feeling cold (even when the surrounding environment is warm)
- Irregular menses (in girls)
- Delayed growth
- Poor brain development, difficulty concentrating, or poor memory
- Sluggishness.
Hyperthyroidism in children
Hyperthyroidism is a condition wherein the thyroid gland is overactive and so produces thyroid hormones in excess, thereby causing the body to “speed up”, shares thyroid doctor in Chennai. In this thyroid issue, the body’s metabolism is faster than usual.
The common symptoms of hyperthyroidism in children are:
- Diarrhoea
- Huge appetite
- Feeling hot (even when the surrounding temperature is cool)
- Trouble in concentrating
- Irregular menses (in girls)
- Accelerated growth
- Irritability
- Muscle weakness
- Tremors or shaking of the hands.
If one’s child is experiencing this issue, it must be addressed to a thyroid doctor or best endocrinologist in Chennai.
Why do children have thyroid issues?
Thyroid problems among children are on the rise in today’s time. There are many causative factors for the thyroid to be not functioning properly. These include:
- Environmental factors- The exposure of the child’s body to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pollutants can result in thyroid issues. Studies have found that phthalates and bisphenol A in plastics can cause thyroid disruption.
- Diet modifications- When the child’s body is deficient in essential nutrients like iodine and selenium, their thyroid function can be impaired. So, children who switch their diet to a diet with more processed foods and nutrient-deficient or sugar-loaded foods are likely to suffer from thyroid problems.
- Being overweight or obese- Children who are overweight or obese suffer from thyroid hormone imbalances and thus have impaired thyroid functioning.
- Genetic predisposition- Some children are simply genetically susceptible to developing thyroid issues.
- Stress- Physical and emotional stressors can affect thyroid function. As children today face a lot of stress due to academic pressure, family dynamics, social media, and others, they are bound to develop thyroid issues.
- Autoimmune disorders- Nowadays, more and more children are being diagnosed with autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a common cause of hypothyroidism in children while Grave’s disease is a common cause of hyperthyroidism in children.
- Maternal factors- Thyroid issues in children can even be an outcome of the health of pregnant women. A maternal thyroid dysfunction, particularly at time of the first trimester, can impact the development of the foetal thyroid.
The heightened awareness among healthcare providers about thyroid issues in children has led to more accurate diagnoses. With better diagnosis, more cases of pediatric thyroid issues have been uncovered that have earlier gone unnoticed. Moreover, with parents being aware of thyroid issues in children, they take their kids for routine screening for thyroid issues. This way, thyroid issues can be detected early and timely treated by a thyroid doctor. Thus, increased awareness and improved diagnosis and screening have contributed to a rise in the number of pediatric patients having thyroid issues.
How do thyroid doctors at Magna Centre identify thyroid issues in children?
If parents suspect their child to have thyroid issues, they should seek medical assistance from a thyroid doctor. A thyroid doctor will order a blood test to check levels of thyroid hormones, which is known as the thyroid function test. If the thyroid function test is abnormal, the child is confirmed diagnosed to have a thyroid issue- hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. In some cases, a medical imaging test like a thyroid ultrasound/CT scan is done to check for any abnormality in the thyroid anatomy.
How can thyroid issues be treated?
If a child is diagnosed with a thyroid issue, a thyroid doctor in Chennai or endocrinologist at Magna Centre will work with the child and family to understand the cause of the issue and create a personalised treatment plan to help improve the thyroid function. Hypothyroidism is treated easily with levothyroxine replacement and monitoring of the thyroid function tests. Hyperthyroidism treatment is more complicated and may involve medications, radiation therapy, and sometimes surgery, as needed to treat thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is best treated with surgery and treatment with radioactive iodine.
Looking for the best thyroid doctor?
Magna Centre employs the top-notch thyroid doctor in Chennai and uses high-end technologies and equipment to provide tailored, patient-focused care to children having thyroid issues. Schedule a consultation today and learn more about the medical support and care we have for you and your child!
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