Thyroid Disorders in Kids

A tired teen who struggles to get out of bed or a child whose growth is falling behind expectations, are familiar clinical problems, each with a differential diagnosis. Thyroid disorders are often on the differential for many common symptoms we see, yet thyroid disease rarely walks into the office announcing itself. Instead, thyroid disorders can hide in plain sight, disguised as other diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, delayed puberty, constipation or “just teenage hormones.” In this episode, we’ve diving into the physiology, the pitfalls and the practical decisions behind pediatric thyroid care. Because when we understand the thyroid, we can protect long-term health. 

Maggie Chan, MD, is an endocrinologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, as well as an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. 

In this episode, our experts discuss: 

Most common thyroid disorders in children 

• How to differentiate between mental health symptoms versus thyroid symptoms 
• When to screen and what labs to test for 
• Three practical takeaways to utilize in clinic