Treatment for Hypothyroidism in Orlando, FL

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The Butterfly Effect on Your Child’s Growth and Health

We’re all aware of the butterfly effect, or have at least seen the Ashton Kutcher movie on cable. The theory is that one small change can have unexpected and long-term consequences on a larger, complex system.

In a child, a butterfly-shaped gland called the thyroid sends out hormones through the body to help power multiple functions, including metabolism, growth, the nervous system, and digestion. When there’s a glitch in that tiny gland, the “butterfly effect,” has body-wide consequences by speeding up or slowing down hormone production. Depending on the condition, your child may feel agitated and jumpy or depressed and fatigued.

For most kids, treating a thyroid disease requires nothing more than daily medication, regular monitoring, and small lifestyle changes. As a Florida pediatric endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid disease, Dr. Penny Pauley of The Endocrine Co can help ensure that little butterfly works the way it should with the treatment for hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism Orlando, FL depends on.

Thyroid disease is the most common endocrine disorder in kids – nearly 37 out of 1,000 children live with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

How Do I Know If My Child Has a Thyroid Condition?

In rare instances, thyroid disorders can be caused by thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer. However, in the majority of cases, a child is diagnosed with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism – and each one has opposite symptoms.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when your child’s thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. The condition is often the result of genetics, an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s, or a chromosomal disorder, but for some, the cause is completely unknown. A child with an underactive thyroid may experience:

Slow growth
Delayed puberty
Increased menstrual flow in tweens and teens
Lack of energy or fatigue
Delayed tooth development

Impaired school performance
Digestive issues
Hair loss and dry skin
Weight gain
Cold intolerance

On the other hand, if the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormones than a child needs, it can send the body’s natural processes into overdrive. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune condition known as Graves’ disease, which is often genetic. If your child displays any of the following symptoms, speaking with a pediatric endocrinologist is an important next step:

Unexpected weight loss with an increased appetite
Early puberty
Fast or irregular heart rate and increased blood pressure
Tremors
Poor heat intolerance
Anxiousness and irritability
Restlessness or hyperactively
Impaired school performance
Digestive issues, especially diarrhea
Fatigue

How Are Thyroid Disorders Diagnosed and Treated?

A thyroid issue can be detected with a blood test. If any irregularities are apparent, children’s endocrinologist Dr. Penny will create a custom care plan to address either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism in Orlando, FL. Treatment most often includes prescription medication to regulate hormone production and small lifestyle changes.

If a child does receive medical care for a thyroid disorder, they will need regular visits and bloodwork to monitor their condition. For instance, a medication to bring raging hormones under control can work too well, pushing a child into hypothyroidism mode and requiring Dr. Penny to adjust their prescription.

The important thing to remember is if you see symptoms return, or you notice your child is displaying opposite symptoms from when they were first diagnosed, contact Dr. Penny directly to share your concern and schedule follow-up bloodwork.

Schedule Your Visit With a Pediatric Endocrinologist for Treatment for Hypothyroidism in Orlando, FL

Understanding a child’s lifestyle, health history, and symptoms is one of the best ways to diagnose a thyroid disorder. And when a provider knows a patient on a one-to-one level, they can more effectively spot warning signs.

At The Endocrine Co in Florida, Dr. Penny Pauley, a direct patient pediatric endocrinologist, takes the time to listen to your worries and answer any questions you have about hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. If you’re looking for treatment for hypothyroidism Orlando, FL relies on, contact us to schedule your 15-minute meet-and-greet with Dr. Penny.