Attention!! Every parent of a child or teenager that has been diagnosed with a mental health condition should be made aware of this new research.
A large paediatric study, which included 2,480 children aged 10-18yrs diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (Grave’s disease or otherwise), found a clear association between hyperthyroidism and each of the following mental health conditions: ADHD, adjustment disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, suicidality.
What does this mean exactly? It means that if your child or teenager has presented with symptoms of palpitations, weight loss, tremor, distractibility, restlessness, or fatigue they could have been wrongly diagnosed with a mental health condition before a thyroid disorder was considered. Consequently, there is a group of children and adolescents unnecessarily medicated with antidepressants, ritalin and other medications.
It further begs the question about how many children and teens with a subclinical thyroid problem slip through the cracks being that their thyroid imbalance isn't picked up until it's too late? Early detection of thyroid imbalance makes treatment much easier. A qualified naturopath is trained to detect a suboptimal thyroid problem before it turns into a full-blown pathology.
Evidence shows that mental health is more than just the psychological presentation. Factors such as gastrointestinal function, diet, nutritional deficiencies, inflammation and of course thyroid function should be taken into account so that you can make an informed decision about your child’s health.
Please consult with a healthcare professional before choosing to stop any medication.