THE THYROID FACTOR
Question: I am 30 years old, married and my wife is 28 years old. We have two children. After the birth of my eldest in April 2002, my wife experienced a swelling in the throat. A test for T 3, T4 TSH was done which clearly showed a case of “hypothyrodism’. She was prescribed Thyroxim. My wife kept taking the pill during her second pregnancy despite a normal reading of TSH . She delivered a baby boy in October 2005. The child’s cry was weak and he had mild Jaundice. He was tested for T3, T4, TSH which showed up abnormal, 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? Please give me proper advice
Answer 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 ot 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 where it is transient and reversible. If not, one should continue taking thyroid replacement therapy in the from of thyroxin pills, Be sure to give it in the night doses. It is a harmless drug when taken in correct dosage for those who need it.
