Natural course of 'subclinical' hypothyroidism in childhood and adolescence

Article Abstract:

Intervention limited to routine progress check-ups rather than drug treatment may be advisable in children with moderately elevated blood levels of thyrotropin. Thyrotropin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the hormone production in the thyroid gland. Researchers followed 11 children for a mean of 52 months who had never received treatment for their elevated thyrotropin levels and seven children for a mean of 40 months who had stopped treatment for this condition. By the end of the study period, 10 patients continued to have elevated thyrotropin levels, seven patients had normal thyroid gland function, and one patient had below normal gland function. Only one patient had symptoms characteristic of this elevated hormone level including sensitivity to cold temperatures, fatigue, and gland enlargement. All the other patients had no symptoms and followed normal growth patterns.

Measurement, Development and progression, Hypothyroidism, Thyrotropin, Thyroiditis, Autoimmune, Autoimmune thyroiditis

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Pituitary enlargement on magnetic resonance imaging in congenital hypothyroidism

Article Abstract:

Children with congenital hypothyroidism may have enlarged pituitary glands, as seen with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Researchers in India measured pituitary gland size using MRI before and after treatment of hypothyroidism in 10 children. All the children had enlarged pituitary glands, retarded growth, and delayed skeletal maturation. Pituitary gland size improved within six to 12 months of starting therapy with levothyroxine sodium. One boy experienced neurologic problems which were traced to a brain region above the pituitary. Two children experienced compression of the optic nerves. Overgrowth of the pituitary gland associated with hypothyroidism is caused by continuous end- or target-organ failure and the lack of hormone replacement. The incidence of congenital hypothyroid is high in India.

Physiological aspects, Pituitary gland, Congenital hypothyroidism

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