Hypothyroidism facts for kids

Hypothyroidism is a health problem where your thyroid gland doesn't make enough special chemicals called hormones. These hormones are super important for how your body works, like controlling your energy and growth.

When your thyroid doesn't make enough hormones, your body's processes can slow down. This can make you feel tired, gain weight, or have trouble concentrating. One common reason for this condition is not getting enough iodine, which is a mineral your body needs. If babies have severe hypothyroidism and it's not treated, it can lead to a condition called cretinism, which affects their growth and development.

What is the Thyroid Gland?

Your thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in your neck, right below your Adam's apple. It's a very important part of your endocrine system, which is like your body's chemical messenger system.

The thyroid's main job is to make thyroid hormones. These hormones act like a gas pedal for your body. They control your metabolism, which is how your body uses energy. Thyroid hormones help with many things, including:

• How fast your heart beats
• How your body uses food for energy
• Your body temperature
• How your brain develops
• The growth of your hair, skin, and nails

When you have hypothyroidism, it means your thyroid gland is making too little of these important hormones.

How Do You Know If You Have Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism can cause many different signs and symptoms because thyroid hormones affect almost every part of your body. These symptoms often develop slowly over time, so you might not notice them right away.

Symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism.

Common Signs to Look For

Some common symptoms and signs that someone might have hypothyroidism include:

• Feeling Tired: You might feel very sleepy or tired even after getting enough rest.
• Feeling Cold: You might feel cold all the time, even when others are warm.
• Weight Gain: You might gain weight even if you haven't changed your eating habits.
• Dry Skin and Hair: Your skin might become dry and rough, and your hair might become thin or fall out.
• Trouble Thinking: You might find it hard to remember things or concentrate.
• Constipation: You might have trouble going to the bathroom regularly.
• Hoarse Voice: Your voice might sound deeper or hoarse.
• Slow Heart Rate: Your heart might beat slower than usual.
• Swelling: You might notice swelling in your face, especially around your eyes, or in your hands and feet.

Eye bags
(periorbital bilateral edema)
Can be a sign of different medical disorders including hypothyroidism.

What Causes Hypothyroidism?

There are several reasons why a person might develop hypothyroidism.

• Not Enough Iodine: One of the most common causes worldwide is not getting enough iodine in your diet. Iodine is a mineral that your thyroid gland needs to make hormones. Many countries add iodine to table salt to help prevent this problem.
• Autoimmune Disease: Sometimes, your body's immune system (which usually fights off germs) mistakenly attacks your own thyroid gland. This is called an autoimmune disease, and the most common type that causes hypothyroidism is called Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
• Thyroid Surgery or Treatment: If someone has had surgery to remove part or all of their thyroid gland, or if they've had treatment for an overactive thyroid, they might develop hypothyroidism.
• Certain Medicines: Some medicines can affect how your thyroid works.
• Born With It: Some babies are born with a thyroid gland that doesn't work properly. This is called congenital hypothyroidism.

What Happens if it's Not Treated?

If hypothyroidism is not treated, especially in babies and young children, it can lead to serious health problems. For infants, severe untreated hypothyroidism can cause a condition called cretinism. This can affect their physical growth and mental development.

For older children and adults, untreated hypothyroidism can lead to more severe symptoms over time, such as heart problems, nerve problems, and even a very serious condition called myxedema coma in rare cases.

Luckily, hypothyroidism is usually easy to treat with medicine that replaces the missing thyroid hormones.

Images for kids

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  A 3-month-old infant with untreated congenital hypothyroidism showing myxedematous facies, a big tongue, and skin mottling

• 

  Characteristic changes in the facial skin of a Labrador Retriever with hypothyroidism

See also

In Spanish: Hipotiroidismo para niños