Hypothyroidism in Infants and Children

What Is The Treatment For Hypothyroidism in Infants and Children?

The treatment for hypothyroidism is simple: Supply the body with the thyroid hormone that isn’t being produced and released by the thyroid gland. Synthetic (artificially produced) thyroid hormone (T4) is manufactured in a wide range of strengths so that dosage can be individually tailored for each person.

It is important that an experienced physician oversee treatment, because the body’s need for thyroid hormone varies over the course of childhood and puberty. A child will usually be started on a daily dose of thyroid hormone, have it adjusted until a healthy level of hormone in the blood is reached, and then be monitored with regular blood tests.

Almost all children with hypothyroidism will require thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, thyroid hormone is simple to take, and the success of therapy is easily monitored by blood tests for T4 and TSH that can be done throughout adulthood.

For more information about hypothyroidism, go to Hypothyroidism.