Monday, October 5, 2009

Thyroid problems in people with Down syndrome


Hypothyroidism happens when the thyroid gland slows down or stops producing thyroid hormone.
13 to 54 percent of children and adults with Down syndrome have hypothyroidism.Hypothyroidism can be a serious problem if left untreated so it is important that children with Down syndrome be tested at birth and then yearly .Some symptoms are low energy level,slowed mental and physical development,thickening of the skin,sleepiness, and constipation.
Click here for an article I found on hypothyroidism in children with Down syndrome.

3 comments:

Emily said...

Interesting article. Thanks for sharing that today!

Stephanie said...

Thanks for that info!

Lance Boldt said...

Josh began to lose weight suddenly when he was about 7. He was down about 15 pounds before we figured out it was Grave's disease, a form of hyperthyroidism. That basically killed off the thyroid and he was left with hypothyroidism

Life with a child who has Down syndrome is the best.

6 months after Josh was born with Down syndrome, I attended my first parent group. I was touched by the struggle people were having with “why?” I went to bed with a heavy heart and awoke with this story. I hope you enjoy it.

http://tinyurl.com/secretjourney