Thyroid treatment no quick fix for weight loss in children

Children treated for hypothyroidism aren't likely to drop pounds with treatment for the condition says a new study in the Journal of Pediatrics. The study is the first to examine the link between hypothyroidism treatment and weight loss in pediatric patients.

"Parents of overweight children often desire a ‘quick fix' for the problem and request thyroid tests, but, unfortunately, screening for hypothyroidism is not the answer," said the study's lead author, Dr. Jefferson P. Lomenick, an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics' Division of Pediatric Endocrinology. "Most experts agree thyroid function tests are generally unnecessary in an overweight child if he/she has normal linear growth and no other symptoms of hypothyroidism. The results of our study support this."

The study followed 68 children with acquired hypothyroidism treated in the pediatric endocrinology clinic at Kentucky Children's Hospital from 1995 to 2006. Most of the subjects had severe cases of hypothyroidism. Researchers found treatment with levo-thyroxine, which normalized the children's thyroid levels, did not lower weight or BMI from baseline to any time point measured, either short-term or long-term.

"These findings were true for the group as a whole, as well as those children who were overweight," Lomenick said. "In fact, the entire group of 68 subjects actually gained 2.4 pounds by the first follow up visit despite their treatment. We did find that about a third of the children experienced weight loss by the second visit. However, these subjects had extremely severe cases of hypothyroidism, far worse than the children who did not lose weight, and they didn't lose that much, only about five pounds."

Lomenick said he is not surprised by these findings. "Although this is the first study in children to address this issue, there have been a few reports in adults which show similar results."

Although hypothyroidism is commonly believed to cause weight gain, Lomenick said the disease has been given a bad reputation.

"Long-standing hypothyroidism causes accumulation of a proteinaceous fluid in the subcutaneous tissues called myxedema," said Lomenick. "The amount of adipose, or fatty tissue, is not really altered with hypothyroidism. Replacement of thyroid hormone causes this fluid, which only amounts to a few pounds, to dissipate over a few weeks. Most cases of hypothyroidism are actually discovered long before myxedema even develops, which is why the majority of people experience little, if any, weight loss after treatment. The effect of hypothyroidism on weight has been vastly blown out of proportion to reality."

The study, "Effect of Levo-Thyroxine Treatment on Weight and Body Mass Index in Children with Acquired Hypothyroidism," was co-authored by Dr. W. Jackson Smith, associate professor of pediatrics and chief of pediatric endocrinology at UK, and Maysa El-Sayyid, a medical student at UK.


(Editor compiled and published Thyroid treatment no quick fix for weight loss in children at HealthNewsTrack on January 4, 2008 sourced from University of Kentucky - http://news.uky.edu/news/display_article.php?artid=3017)

Obesity - recent articles and current news stories:

- Less sleep means higher risk of diabetes and obesity
- Obesity epidemic in United States underestimated
- 10% weight loss in obesity with green coffee beans extract
- Eating chocolate frequently appears related to lower BMI
- Evaluating impact of EHR on childhood obesity

Most related articles:

- Thyroid treatment no quick fix for weight loss in children
- Radiation linked to aggressive thyroid cancer - 6.7
- Worksite-based weight loss programs good for obese - 5.3
- 6 months to lose weight gained in pregnancy - 4.9
- Surgeons age linked to safe health care - 4.9

More related articles:

- Thyroid, Weight loss, Hypothyroidism, Pediatric, Overweight, Obesity, Endocrinology, BMI, Body Mass Index
- Weight loss between pregnancies lowers gestational diabetes GDM risk - 10.2
- Obesity in middle age may affect healthy life in women - 8.9
- Sleep disordered breathing affects obese children - 8.8
- Obesity increases pancreatic cancer risk - 8.7

Obesity related articles:

- Taranabant for obesity discontinued by Merck - 3.3
- Obesity increased in USA, obesity policies are failing - 2.7
- Obesity epidemic taking root in Africa - 2.6
- Poor coordination in childhood linked to obesity in later life - 2.5
- Race and short sleep increase obesity risk - 2.5

Obesity article/news source:

Read more health articles from University of Kentucky and health articles from UK.

Obesity - search related terms:

BMI, Body Mass Index, Endocrinology, Hypothyroidism, Obesity, Overweight, Pediatric, Thyroid, Weight loss,
Obesity books,

List health news, Health organizations, Health news world, Glossary, Best health articles, Featured     Go to top

The information provided on Health Newstrack is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. We comply with the HONcode principles for trustworthy health information, and Health News Track is hon code accredited, verify here.
About us, Site map Privacy policy, Disclaimer
© 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 HealthNewsTrack.com
3.45