“How to treat a swollen thyroid gland?”
My son's pediatrician said he had a swollen thyroid gland. How is this treated?
3 Answers
It is according to the cause. If it is a goiter usually the TSH is high and you need synthroid. If there is a mass or cyst these usually need biopsy. If there are thyroid antibodies, This needs a different treatment.
The treatment of a swollen thyroid gland (goiter) depends on the cause. Please take your son to a pediatric endocrinologist to have him appropriately evaluated, get a diagnosis and treatment accordingly.
The thyroid gland is a small but a vital gland at the base of the neck, below the adams apple. It is responsible for energy production, metabolism, mood, growth and development. It also supports brain development and cardiovascular health.
In children the the thyroid gland is at various sizes becuase children are going through a process of growth and development. In adults the thyroid gland measures about 4-6 cm . It weighs about 20 grams.
The thyroid gland produces three major hormones namely thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonine. If your thyroid gland does not make these hormones especially T3 and T4 you may develop a codition called hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and when the thyroid makes excess of these hormones (over active thyroid) a codition called thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism sets in. Calcitonin suppots bone health.
In hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) the person may experience the symptoms of sadness, weight gain, poor energy level, dry skin, constipation, hair loss and fatigue.
When the thyroid gland is over active, the person may experience, weight loss, fatigue, palpitations, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, irritability, frequent bowel movement and insomnia.
The thyroid function test is a necessary blood test in the evaluation of the status of the the thyroid gland, in the production of the thyroid hormones. This test will determine whether the thyroid gland is working well or not. Based on the thyroid function test, further work up may be performed to pin point the cause of thyroid disorder (low or high thyroid hormone). The further work up may include blood work for iodine and various antibodies or imaging studies such as Ultrasound or uptake and scan of the thyroid gland.
If the thyroid gland gets larger than normal, it becomes a goiter. It may also contain a nodule or multiple nodules. If there is a lump on the neck (goiter) a thyroid ultrasoud is performed to determine if there is a nodule or nodules. The thyroid gland may have normal, under-active or over active function regardless of the presence of a goiter or nodules.
If there is a goiter (thyroid enlargement) and the thyroid gland is functioning properly only a watchful waiting is recommended. But is there is a nodule/s then the size of the nodule and the condition of the nodule should be analysed. If the nodule is >1cm or if there are calcifications or other suspicious characteristics a fine needle aspiration biopsy should be performed to determine for malignancy. If there is malignancy the one side or both sides of the gland should be removed depending on the situation. If the nodules are benign watchful monitoring is recommended.
Going back to your son;
Your son has a goiter (lump on the neck).Your son could have underactive thyroid, over-active thyroid, or nodule/s regardless of his goiter (lump on the neck). You need to see a pediatric endocrinologist for that. depending on his situation the doctor will decide the proper work ups and diagnostic steps. Once the diagnosis is established the doctor will determine the treatment options.These could be hormonal replacement or treatment with antithyroid agents or surgical intervation. It depends on his thyroid condition.
You need to ask your son's doctor for a referal to see a pediatic endocrinologist aroud your area.
Good luck.
In children the the thyroid gland is at various sizes becuase children are going through a process of growth and development. In adults the thyroid gland measures about 4-6 cm . It weighs about 20 grams.
The thyroid gland produces three major hormones namely thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonine. If your thyroid gland does not make these hormones especially T3 and T4 you may develop a codition called hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and when the thyroid makes excess of these hormones (over active thyroid) a codition called thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism sets in. Calcitonin suppots bone health.
In hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) the person may experience the symptoms of sadness, weight gain, poor energy level, dry skin, constipation, hair loss and fatigue.
When the thyroid gland is over active, the person may experience, weight loss, fatigue, palpitations, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, irritability, frequent bowel movement and insomnia.
The thyroid function test is a necessary blood test in the evaluation of the status of the the thyroid gland, in the production of the thyroid hormones. This test will determine whether the thyroid gland is working well or not. Based on the thyroid function test, further work up may be performed to pin point the cause of thyroid disorder (low or high thyroid hormone). The further work up may include blood work for iodine and various antibodies or imaging studies such as Ultrasound or uptake and scan of the thyroid gland.
If the thyroid gland gets larger than normal, it becomes a goiter. It may also contain a nodule or multiple nodules. If there is a lump on the neck (goiter) a thyroid ultrasoud is performed to determine if there is a nodule or nodules. The thyroid gland may have normal, under-active or over active function regardless of the presence of a goiter or nodules.
If there is a goiter (thyroid enlargement) and the thyroid gland is functioning properly only a watchful waiting is recommended. But is there is a nodule/s then the size of the nodule and the condition of the nodule should be analysed. If the nodule is >1cm or if there are calcifications or other suspicious characteristics a fine needle aspiration biopsy should be performed to determine for malignancy. If there is malignancy the one side or both sides of the gland should be removed depending on the situation. If the nodules are benign watchful monitoring is recommended.
Going back to your son;
Your son has a goiter (lump on the neck).Your son could have underactive thyroid, over-active thyroid, or nodule/s regardless of his goiter (lump on the neck). You need to see a pediatric endocrinologist for that. depending on his situation the doctor will decide the proper work ups and diagnostic steps. Once the diagnosis is established the doctor will determine the treatment options.These could be hormonal replacement or treatment with antithyroid agents or surgical intervation. It depends on his thyroid condition.
You need to ask your son's doctor for a referal to see a pediatic endocrinologist aroud your area.
Good luck.
