[Mommy]

#1019309

I have a 4 year old daughter who was diagnosed last July at 3 1/2. My other daughter, 8 1/2 is in the process of being tested as well. I am really wanting to connect with other moms (or dads!) with young children with Graves’. Please email if you’d like to chat more and share experiences, suggestions, etc.

Jennifer

[mamabear]

#1070755

what prompted you to test her? did she have symptoms?

[Mommy]

#1070756

Both of my girls had a goiter. My youngest had a rather large one. Since I know Graves’ can be hereitary and I knew what to look for, I had my older daughter’s thyroid levels tested last September. They were normal. But, I have recently noticed an enlargement on her as well. Not nearly as big as my other one’s, but still enlarged. Also, she has been losing wieght, gets tummy aches as well after eating (this is why I am so determined to check into the gluten/celiac thing.) Her moods are very intense. She gets little fits of rage that I have not seen in her before. I was trying to justify these things, but when I noticed her enlargement, I knew I had to take her in. She had an ultrasound today and I am anxious to get the results.

[npatterson]

#1070757

You should be hearing from the other mothers. There are more on this board than you would expect. It is good that you are aware of what to look for. Even in children, it seems, we try to explain away behaviors and symptoms. Good luck. Send me an e-mail nancyngdf@bellsouth.net and I will send you an excellent article about Students and Graves’. I cannot do it from here.

[bradybunch6x1]

#1070758

Hi Jennifer,
I myself have a son that was dignoised with Graves at age 11, although at this time it is not calling for medical treatment. As for the rage, I have seen that a couple of times in him, and he has always been very passive, which is what had caused my concern to have him tested. He is really emotional, up and down. He also seemed to start showing signs during school when his grades went from A’s and B’s to C’s and F’s. I took him in talked with the doc, and then she desided to have what they called a thyroid panal, which was for the antibodies as well as Free T4 and Free T3, and TSH. Turns out his antibodies were elevated and his TSH and T3 were slightly abnormal. The docs never did start him on meds, said we should wait and see where they went. After 2 more tests in 6 months we were told ok, we don’t need to test him again for a year. Well it’s almost time again. So we shale see.
Valarie

[carolinesmom]

#1070759

My 6-yr-old daughter was just diagnosed with GD last week. I, too, am interested in hearing from other parents because it is my understanding that this is pretty rare in kids. Alot of people are telling me to get a 2nd opinion but it seems to me that the diagnosis is pretty conclusive – either you have the antibodies in your system or you don’t, right? I am concerned about 2 nodules on her thyroid that showed up in her ultrasound, but her pediatric endo. says that it is not a huge concern if they are under 1cm (they are 6mm and 7mm in size). The plan is to keep an eye on them and do further tests only if they get bigger. Anyone else have this experience? We started last week on methimazole and a beta-blocker, and my daughter has had a difficult time sleeping ever since. Even though sleep problems are a symptom of GD, it’s one that she didn’t have until starting the meds. (previously she was so exhausted from being so wound up all day long that she would fall asleep at the end of the day with no problem) Endo says this is typical, she’s seen it before, not sure why it happens, but should subside. Would love to hear back from anyone with similar experiences! Thanks!

[Mommy]

#1070760

Thanks for the replies. I realized I haven’t been on here in over a month. My oldest supposedly has Hashimoto’s not Graves’ but I am not sure I trust this endo. I am taking her to see the same one my younger daughter saw instead. She has been on levothyroxine for almost a month and seems to be doing well on it. I feel like her goiter is not getting any smaller…maybe even getting larger. It is frustrating and scary. I am anxious to meet with our other endo. and get his opinion. Our entire family has been gluten free for 3 weeks. Not as many tummy aches…we’ll see!

[Author]

Posts