How to manage hypothyroidism in children naturally
Has your child been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid gland? Although we think of this as an adult condition, children can also develop hypothyroidism.
Any thyroid condition in a child needs to be taken seriously, as it can affect their growth & development. So you need to work closely with your child’s specialists to minimise the effects of the condition.
But at the same time, there are also ways you can support their thyroid naturally at home.
Understanding hypothyroidism in children
Firstly, what leads to hypothyroidism in children? The most common cause is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s. This is when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to produce less and less thyroid hormone over time.
However, there are also other forms of hypothyroidism in children. This can include:
Congenital hypothyroidism - when the thyroid fails to develop or function properly
Hypothyroidism induced by nutrient deficiencies or excess (e.g. iodine)
Medication-induced hypothyroidism
Pituitary hypothyroidism
Many forms of hypothyroidism can have a genetic component. So if you have family members who are diagnosed with a thyroid condition, you should keep a closer eye on your child as their risk will be higher.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism in children?
Like adults, there are a variety of symptoms that can develop when a child doesn’t have enough thyroid hormone. Some of the most common to look out for include:
Slow growth – including delays in height and bone development
Weight gain – particularly if your child is not eating as much due to a reduced appetite. Of course, there are periods of time where weight gain is normal and part of the growth process, so this alone isn’t enough to suggest a thyroid issue
Swelling around the front of the neck area – this is an indicator of thyroiditis, or an inflamed thyroid gland
Significant fatigue – your child may be sluggish, less likely to engage in physical activity, struggle to wake up and have issues with concentrating for long periods of time
Digestive issues – constipation is common with an underactive thyroid, as well as bloating and low appetite
Skin & hair concerns – including dry, flaky skin, brittle hair and losing more hair than usual. You may also notice the outer third of their eyebrows are thinner or disappear completely
If you notice these symptoms in your child, speak to your doctor about checking their thyroid levels.
How can I naturally support my hypothyroid child?
While your doctor will likely prescribe medication such as thyroxine, there is plenty you can do at home to help as well! Here are some simple tips to address your child’s underactive thyroid naturally:
Increase their intake of thyroid-supporting nutrients
The thyroid gland is a bit greedy when it comes to certain nutrients! So when you take a child who is growing and using up a lot of their nutrient stores, it’s not surprising that sometimes the thyroid doesn’t get what it wants.
Low levels of thyroid nutrients is one of the biggest drivers behind hypothyroidism in children. But thankfully, it’s one that you can start addressing straight away.
To learn more about the key thyroid nutrients and what foods to find them in, check out this article.
Reduce their exposure to environmental toxins
Another big factor in thyroid issues for children is exposure to environmental toxins. The ones we want to minimise are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These will disrupt hormones, including thyroid hormones, and cause all sorts of havoc as a result!
Some simple ways to start this include:
Switching plastic containers for glass or Pyrex
Swapping out your cleaning products for non-toxic options
Replacing family personal care products with non-toxic alternatives (this is easiest to do when you run out of them!)
If your child is a teenager, you can encourage them to use natural and non-toxic makeup, nail polish, deodorants and skincare products
Encourage quality rest
A hypothyroid child is likely to be fatigued, and for good reason. But rest is also important for them for many reasons, including:
Supporting their growth and development
Healing and repairing inflammation and damage to the body
Reducing stress that can trigger further symptoms
Pacing so they don’t flare their symptoms
With an underactive thyroid, quantity is easy enough, but we also want to support quality of rest. So setting them up with a solid nighttime routine that sets up for good sleep & helps them unwind after the day can go a long way.
LOOKING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S THYROID CONDITION?
If they have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s, this is the ebook for you.