Deal with Thyroid Disorder
After the birth of my eldest, my wife experienced a swelling in the throat. A test for T3, T4, and TSH was done which clearly showed a case of ‘hypothyroidism’. She was prescribed Thyroxin. My wife kept taking the pill during her second pregnancy despite a normal reading of TSH. She delivered a baby boy. The child’s cry was weak and he had mild Jaundice. He was tested for T3, T4, and TSH which showed up abnormal and was diagnosed with ‘hypothyroidism.’ He is also being given Thyroxin. I want to know, is there no cure for this condition? What is the proper care and precautions to be taken?
Your wife’s hypothyroidism emerged soon after delivery. This type of hypothyroidism is often reversible. You should have a thyroid antibodies test done on your wife’s blood sample. This will throw more light on the possibility of reversion.
Regarding your second child who was diagnosed as having hypothyroidism, his also can be reversible, if it appeared at birth. At times, such a transient phenomenon occurs because of transfer of antibodies from the mother to the child through the placenta. On the other hand, it could also turn out to be an irreversible phenomenon.
As such issues are rather intricate; it would be advisable for both your wife and the affected child to see a competent endocrinologist. In the meanwhile Thyroxin should be continued. Hypothyroidism is curable in those cases where it is transient and reversible. If not, one should continue taking thyroid replacement therapy in the form of thyroxin pills. Be sure to give it in the right doses. It is a harmless drug when taken in correct dosage for those who need it.