Expert: Karen Brawner - 12/31/2005

Question
Hi I am hypothyroid and so are my dad, mom, and brother.  I have had my kids ages 9 and 5 tested and my oldest son who I would suspect of having a low thyroid because he is so like me, sluggish, slow, no appetite, forgetful, etc.  His tsh came back normal.

My 5 year old is a little on the hyper side, but has a hard time paying attention, extremely dry skin I had my 5 year old tested and his was 2.54.  I thought this was a little high since we try to keep mine under 2.  The lab said that anything under a 6 was considered normal.  Do you think I should pursue this further with T3 levels etc.?  Both are a little small in stature, but they also have asthma and the doctor is attributing it to their sickness and possibly the inhaled steroids.  He thinks they will catch up later.

Thank you for your time.

Sherry

Answer
Dear Sherry,   First of all the thyroid blood tests are the most unreliable blood tests ever given...  As you said, the lab says that anything under 6 is considered normal...  That is like saying "one size fits all"...  This is not true in clothing and definately not true in blood tests and diagnosing a thyroid problem...  

If you are NOT seeing an endocrinologist then I strongly suggest that you get on for yourself and both of your children and have EVERY blood test there is for determining thyroid, parathyroid and hypothalamus problems...  A TSH test is simply NOT a good diagnostic test.....

Here is the BEST Thyroid and Endocrine Gland web site out there....  This tells you EVERYTHING about testing, all types of thyroid problems etc....  Well worth the time to read it ALL....

www.endocrineweb.com/tests.html

thank you,    karen