O/T... OK... I'm posting this here cause it is the busiest board...

[PK...]

Is anyone familiar with juvenile hyperthyroidism?

One of our twin fraternal granddaughters (age 11) has been diagnosed with this condition - pending concensus of the Peeds Endincrologist's visit later in the month......

Daughter is obviously upset... Googling has not been that fruitful...

I'm just looking for personal experiences, cause I put full trust in the Drs., but would like to be able to give her some anecdotal evidence of same...

Thanks........

PK

[Curvigirl]

I work for an endocrinologist--don't panic, it can probably be easily managed with meds. (But I know that's not a lot of consolation when it's someone you love!) What are her symptoms?

[PK...]

At this point, I don't think she is presenting any symptoms...

Both were tested as a precaution because of family thyroid history... (me, my mother, sister and niece) But those are all hypo, not hyper (my thyroid went south with my hormones at menopause and is most happily playing the with my estrogen in the Bahamas...)...

Their young male cousin was recently diagnosed as having an auto-immune condition where his thyroxin was being attacked by antibodies - The primary reason for the tests...

The twin with the problem is taller than the other, but nothing outside of the norm of siblings...

Yes, she is upset, and wants answers "now" and hates to wait so long to get them...

I would love to send her any info you could provide...

It sucks when you can't make it all better...

PK

[Curvigirl]

"I'm not a doctor, but I play one on PC."

It does suck when something's "broke" and you can't fix it...

But the news here is not so bad (at least not in the overall scheme of things that can go wrong with kids). Assuming the diagnosis is confirmed, first off, it's VERY common, although I don't know for sure in kids her age. Our office is mainly adults. Typical symptoms are jitteriness, sometimes a little weight loss. A complication is the bulging eyes you see on some people, but it sounds like she's early enough in her course that she hasn't developed anything like that, and with treatment she won't. Do be sure, though, she's not exposed to cigarette smoke, which can make that worse.

Most likely she will be managed with medication, maybe for a few months, maybe for a few years, maybe permanently.

Another treatment is done with radioactive iodine, which sounds scary but really isn't. I'm not sure of the exact process that takes place, you can google it.

The third option is surgery, where part of the thyroid is removed. That's done if the above don't work and doesn't sound likely in your granddaughter's case.

Obviously, there are variations on everything, but I'd be optimistic on this one.

Good thing the kids were tested, and it was caught early. Good luck, and let me know what the REAL doctor says!

[PK...]

Ah, yes... Thanks!!! (Playing a PC Doctor is a good thing, LOL... I think!)

Smoking is a non issue, and you are right that there is no obvious symptoms of Graves. I have not seen the girls since July, but will see them in two weeks... At last visit, there was no apparent weight loss...

I will send along your message - that should help tremendously with her immediate fears, and I will certainly let you know what the final diagnosis and treatment is...

;0))

PK

Thanks... <smile>

[KaliChris]

PK, we have thyroid disease in our family too (my mom's side ~ all of us females and hypothyroidism). Well, strangely, two years ago my son was suddenly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. He had the jitteriness really bad and a fast, pounding heartbeat. They treated him with heart medication and time off work.

Know what? It resolved. Maybe her's will too on its own.