I wanted to throw this one down for my best friend. Her daughter, Ashley, has been on Synthroid since september. Since then, she has had her blood levels checked once.

For the last three months, Dusti (mom), has been having severe behavioral problems with Ashley. She's at the end of her rope. It's gone beyond telling mom "NO", to beating her head against the walls, saying she hates herself, and showing signs of depression.

Her teachers have contacted Dusti. Ashley is now seeing a therapist employed through the public school system twice a week. They have recommended respite care EOW for Ashley in a foster home.

I have known Dusti since I was 10, she is my dearest friend. I have no doubts what-so-ever in her disciplining abilities. She has done the gold star, rewards time-out, she done everything she can. I do believe it when she says she has tried everything.

I'm wondering if Ashley's problems may have anything to do with her medication. I have found information regarding infants, adolescents and teenagers regarding thyroids, but nothing on Ashley's age group.

Starting this past Nov. my thyriod went crazy (ofcourse no one knew this, I had never had any issues with my thyriod before) my behavoir went crazy with it. People at work that I was about to have a nervous break down and my family was freaking. I made a list of things that I thought were happening and in Mid-Dec I finally went to my doctor who took one look at me and read my note and put me on medical leave from work.

My point the thyriod can cause some major issues, it regulates alot of things. My thyriod was way hyper active and had to be killed with radiation. Since then they are checking my blood every 6 weeks (just had it done today). I really think her blood should be tested. She needs to go back to her thyriod specialist. It seems before putting her in a foster home the therapist would have this varified.

I have hypothyroidism and am also on Synthroid. When my levels are off even by just a hair, I'm a psychotic mess and am very depressed, irritable, tired and feel like crap. My personality goes from super sweet to super witch. Once the levels are back on track I'm back to my happy self. This very much indeed could be causing the problems.

She should go to see an endocrinologist ASAP and ask for a thyroid panel - not just the usual T3 or T4 uptakes. A family doctor often times will not request the right tests and will therefore just assume everything is ok when in reality, it isn't.

Also, it takes a while for the body to adjust to the hormone. Finding the proper dosage and hormone is a very delicate and tricky process. What works for one person may not work for another. Example, Synthroid may work for me but she may need another drug like Levoxyl or Cytomel. Also - her levels could be considered 'in normal range' but still not be optimum for her personally. Again, this is why she needs to see an endocrinologist.

Tell your friend to do some research into thyroid disease over the internet. She and her daughter need to educate themselves about how to control thyroid disease and the effects of diet, exercise, etc. She needs to make sure her daughter takes her pill in the morning on an empty stomach (1 hr before eating or 2 hrs after) and if she's taking vitamins or any other medication to take those at least two hours later. They can inhibit the hormones from being absorbed into her system.

Definately explore this further before jumping to more drastic measures. There are many books written on thyroid issues that she can pick up as well. Reassure her that the thyroid can be causing the problems and that with proper care everything will be hunky dory.

PM me if you or your friend have any more questions.

Best of luck!

Jen - aka John's Mom

Forgot to suggest checking with a local pediatric hospital for an endocrinologist or resources in your area. I would recommend Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia or Alfred I Dupont Childrens Hospital as a start. Both have sites on the web that have a wealth of information. They are two of the best hospitals in the country that specialize in pediatric medicine.

quote:

Originally posted by leftover:
[qb] I wanted to throw this one down for my best friend. Her daughter, Ashley, has been on Synthroid since september. Since then, she has had her blood levels checked once.

For the last three months, Dusti (mom), has been having severe behavioral problems with Ashley. She's at the end of her rope. It's gone beyond telling mom "NO", to beating her head against the walls, saying she hates herself, and showing signs of depression.

Her teachers have contacted Dusti. Ashley is now seeing a therapist employed through the public school system twice a week. They have recommended respite care EOW for Ashley in a foster home.

I have known Dusti since I was 10, she is my dearest friend. I have no doubts what-so-ever in her disciplining abilities. She has done the gold star, rewards time-out, she done everything she can. I do believe it when she says she has tried everything.

I'm wondering if Ashley's problems may have anything to do with her medication. I have found information regarding infants, adolescents and teenagers regarding thyroids, but nothing on Ashley's age group. [/qb]

I have been on synthroid for quite some time and have never heard of a child being on this med. Synthroid can cause anxiety in some. I don't let the doctors give my children anything if I can find an herbal replacement for it. Children's systems are too fragile. Dusti needs to get online and do some serious research on that.

John's mom hit the nail on the head. She is 100% right. Thyroid disease which ever a person may have can cause some real problems. There are several different types of medicine one can take to help. Synthroid is a synthetic form and may not do the job for some. There are also some natural forms that are better for others.
This can really mess people up bad, especially females. I am one of them. I have Hershimoto (spelling is wrong I'm sure)disease. This is where my thyroid glad gets attacked and changes all the time. I have to have blood work done at least every 3 months to keep it in check. During pregnancy I had it checked every 4 weeks from the time I got pregnant.
Since the behavior problems just started, I would venture a pretty good guess that is the problem.
Take John's Mom's advice and give it to your friend. This is not something to be messing with it can really cause problems. Depression is one of the main symptoms of something wrong. A regular family doctor is not normally suited to take care of major thyroid problems.
I'll send lots of prayers for you, your friend and hers.

quote:

Originally posted by John's Mom:
[qb] Forgot to suggest checking with a local pediatric hospital for an endocrinologist or resources in your area. I would recommend Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia or Alfred I Dupont Childrens Hospital as a start. Both have sites on the web that have a wealth of information. They are two of the best hospitals in the country that specialize in pediatric medicine. [/qb]

I will check out the websites. Unfortunatly Dusti has no ins, so her options are limited to one pediatrician at the local free clinic. Perhaps she can find a way to get Ashley to a specialist somehow.

Your very specific information regarding testing is going to help out alot.

Do six year old girls have hormones like us adults? I mean, she's a long ways away from puberty..

Yes they do. They do not have the hormones of puberty but they do have hormones. Although thyroid will effect women stuff it is so much more than that. I think of it as almost a female balancer. It will effects moods, attitude, mental balance, bowel movements, everything. It is amazing how one little gland can cause so much trouble.
There has to be a way through the state to get her into a proper doc. What about a childrens hospital? Do you have one in your state? How about Shriners? They help a lot of kids in need. They took care of a couzin of mine that was born with problems and had to have several surgeries to be able to walk. Call or write local churches and see if they know of someone to help or will help themselves. Where there is a will there is a way. We just have to find it, and we will.
Still sending lots of prayers.

I never thought of the Shriner's!! I think they only do orthopedic stuff though. It might be worth a try. Dusti can't get state ins because she declined COBRA when she left her last job. Thanks everyone.

Wouldn't her daughter be covered by the state at least? In PA, we qualified for the state insurance despite declining COBRA. (Who honestly can afford COBRA?) Have Dusti check with her insurance agent (car, home, etc.) and see if she can get a policy through him/her. I know there are short term plans available ranging from a regular health care plan to catastrophic. These plans are much more affordable than COBRA.

Also, some pediatric hospitals have funds that assist parents in need who cannot afford insurance or medical costs. Alfred I. DuPont in Wilmington, DE has been a blessing this way. You never know until you ask! Worst case scenario - find an endocrinologist and ask to make payment arrangements. They will work with you.

BTW - As for hormones, yes she will have hormones. Hormones are different that the 'hormones' you're thinking of with puberty. The thyroid releases hormones that regulate everything from your pituitary gland to your heart and kidneys. As Dusti's daughter grows, her thyroid levels will need to be adjusted and her doctor really should be keeping a close eye on her in the beginning to get her regulated. I'm not sure whether she's hypo or hyper - there is a huge difference - but either way, it needs to be closely regulated. Once she gets past most of her growing, everything will even out and she may be on the same dose for a while.

Does Dusti qualify for county assistance at all?

Is there a decent crisis pregnancy center near you that might have some resources for assistance that you might not know about? Sometimes they'll have lists of agencies and doctors that most people never hear about that will assist people in her position. Ya never know who might have a connection to the solution to your dilemna. They'll often help out single parents in need - prego or not prego.

Hope she's hanging in there with her daughter and is feeling a little more reassured that it might be the thyroid after all. 8-)

Leftover, Your friend needs to keep looking and keep pushing. She can ask anyone and everyone she sees. Someone will know something on how to help this girl. The only way she will find some help is to keep asking, there has to be something. Dusty needs to make this a fight for her daughters life. Although Thyroid normally won't kill you it can really mess you up and for life. If it comes down to it she can go to the local news stations and make news of it, someone will jump.
It sounds like John's Mom has so much more info than I do. I think she maybe a blessing for you now.
I'm still keeping the prayers up.

2many is right it probably wont kill you. However the thyroid can cause perminate damage. Mine caused me to have heart problems until it was killed. It also has caused me to have liver damage, that only time will tell if it will heal itself.

I recommand a childrens hospital. Alot will even have financial counselers there that can help you find funding for the medical bills.

If you have to call St. Judes in Tn. They probably won't treat the girl but they may have more ideas of where to go.

I'll let her know, thanks guys...

I appreciate all the prayers, you can never have too many blessings, right?