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How Should Hyperthyroidism And High Heart Rate During Swimming Practice Along With Excessive Sleeping And Reduced Growth In A Teenager Be Medically Addressed?
Question: My 15 year old daughter was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism two years ago. She is on PTU. She needs a lot of sleep, in the past complained of high heart rate during swim team practice which she no longer does. I am wondering if the PTU is enough to participate in sports or should she not participate at all in sports.
Two of the children (Chinese) whom we know of where she was adopted from (same place) were diagnosed with beta thalessemia which I think is associated with hypothyroidism.
My daughter is 4'11" and we declined growth hormone when she was 12 because I read it could cause bone cancer later in life and we did not know if her birth parents were short stature and maybe this was normal for her ethnic group, as well.
Comments?
Two of the children (Chinese) whom we know of where she was adopted from (same place) were diagnosed with beta thalessemia which I think is associated with hypothyroidism.
My daughter is 4'11" and we declined growth hormone when she was 12 because I read it could cause bone cancer later in life and we did not know if her birth parents were short stature and maybe this was normal for her ethnic group, as well.
Comments?
Brief Answer:
About hyperthyroidism and growth hormone treatment;
Detailed Answer:
Hello and rhank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern.
First i would suggest to check the thyroid hormones and confirm that PTU needs still to be continued. If she feels sleepy all the time, it is a sign of hypothyroidism and the dose of PTU should probably decreased or even stopped.
But, TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 should be checked before.
Yes, thalassemia is inherited, it is not related to hyper/ hypothyroidism but your physician should have informed you if there would have been any abnormality in full blood count. Usually a full blood count is performed during hyperthyroidism follow up.
If thyroid hormones are corrected, of course she can partecipate in sports.
Regarding to growth hormone treatment, there are strict chriteria that a pediatric endocrinologist follows before starting the therapy. So, she should have been under -2 standart deviations from the normallity and in these cases of course, a growth hormone deficiency is confirmed before.
If she has profited by the treatment with growth hormone during the past years, probably your physician may suggest to restart it as she is still under 5th percentile for her age. Of course many factors should be taken into consideration before (thyroid pathology, growth hormone stimulation test result, if she has profited or not at the past treatment ect,).
Hope the information will help and wish her good health.
Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta
About hyperthyroidism and growth hormone treatment;
Detailed Answer:
Hello and rhank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern.
First i would suggest to check the thyroid hormones and confirm that PTU needs still to be continued. If she feels sleepy all the time, it is a sign of hypothyroidism and the dose of PTU should probably decreased or even stopped.
But, TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 should be checked before.
Yes, thalassemia is inherited, it is not related to hyper/ hypothyroidism but your physician should have informed you if there would have been any abnormality in full blood count. Usually a full blood count is performed during hyperthyroidism follow up.
If thyroid hormones are corrected, of course she can partecipate in sports.
Regarding to growth hormone treatment, there are strict chriteria that a pediatric endocrinologist follows before starting the therapy. So, she should have been under -2 standart deviations from the normallity and in these cases of course, a growth hormone deficiency is confirmed before.
If she has profited by the treatment with growth hormone during the past years, probably your physician may suggest to restart it as she is still under 5th percentile for her age. Of course many factors should be taken into consideration before (thyroid pathology, growth hormone stimulation test result, if she has profited or not at the past treatment ect,).
Hope the information will help and wish her good health.
Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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