What to do if your child has an enlarged thyroid gland

Thyroid patients around us are basically adults, so when children have symptoms such as swollen neck, we don’t think of this disease. In fact, children also have thyroid problems, but their illness is not as complicated as that of adults. It can usually be relieved through diet therapy without taking any medication. The following article introduces the treatment methods for thyroid enlargement in children. Let’s take a look.

Simple goiter in children refers to compensatory enlargement of the thyroid gland caused by non-inflammation or tumor in childhood, which is diffuse or nodular. It is caused by iodine deficiency, goitrogenic substances, enzyme deficiency, etc., and is generally not accompanied by thyroid dysfunction. Simple goiter can be divided into two types: endemic and sporadic.

diagnosis

1. Diagnosis of endemic goiter

(1) The children come from areas where goiter is prevalent.

(2) The thyroid gland is enlarged to varying degrees.

(3) The iodine absorption rate increases, mainly due to iodine starvation. Generally, there is no forward shift of the peak and it can be inhibited by thyroid hormone.

(4) Urinary iodine excretion <50 μg/d (normal value 50-100 μg/d).

(5) Serum T4 is decreased or normal.

(6) Increased TSH concentration in the blood.

2. Diagnosis of sporadic goiter

(1) The children come from non-goiter-endemic areas.

(2) Thyroid antibodies TPOAb and TGAb are negative.

(3) T4 and TSH are both normal.

(4) Thyroid iodine uptake is normal or slightly high, with no anterior shift of the peak.

(5) Mild to moderate enlargement of the thyroid gland.

treat

Different treatment methods are used according to different causes and conditions.

1. General treatment

(1) Eat more iodine-rich foods such as kelp, seaweed, and seafood.

(2) Stop taking certain medications that cause goiter.

2. Supplement iodine preparations. People with iodine deficiency can take iodine preparations orally. For patients with moderate or severe gland swelling, iodine preparations can be supplemented to inhibit excessive TSH secretion and cause the thyroid gland to shrink.

3. Surgery is recommended if the gland is too large and causes compression symptoms, or if cancer is suspected. Hypothyroidism may occur after surgery, and long-term use of thyroid powder (tablets) is required.