Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

WikiDoc Resources for Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
Articles
Most recent articles on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Most cited articles on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Review articles on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Articles on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Images of Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Photos of Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Podcasts & MP3s on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Videos on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Bandolier on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) TRIP on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Clinical Trials on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) NICE Guidance on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) CDC on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
Books
Books on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
News
Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) in the news Be alerted to news on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) News trends on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
Commentary
Blogs on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
Definitions
Definitions of Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Discussion groups on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Patient Handouts on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Directions to Hospitals Treating Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Risk calculators and risk factors for Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Causes & Risk Factors for Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Diagnostic studies for Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) Treatment of Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
International
Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) en Espanol Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) en Francais
Business
Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information) in the Marketplace Patents on Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Jinhui Wu, MD

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

How do I know if I have congenital hypothyroidism and what are the symptoms of congenital hypothyroidism?

Symptoms of hypothyroidism vary from person to person. The following are some common symptoms of hypothyroidism.

• Fatigue and weakness
• Weight gain
• Puffy face, swollen tongue
• Cold intolerance
• Slowed heart rate
• Joint and muscle pain
• Constipation
• Thin, brittle hair or fingernails
• Decreased sweating
• Depression
• Heavy or irregular menstrual periods and infertility

Who is at risk for congenital hypothyroidism?

• Inflammation of the thyroid gland, such as autoimmune or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, postpartum throiditis, viral thyroiditis
• Congenital defects
• Radiation and radioactive iodine: When patients were treated with neck cancer or hyperthyroidism, both radiation and radioactive iodine may also damage the thyroid glands.
• After surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland
• Drugs, such as amiodarone which is used to treat arrhythmia, propylthiouracil and methimazole, which are used to treat hyperthyroidism, Lithium.
• Age older than 50
• Female

How to know you have congenital hypothyroidism?

• Laboratory tests of determination thyroid function, including serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 test.

• TSH test: This test is the most accurate measure of thyroid function. General speaking, a TSH reading above normal means a person has hypothyroidism and a reading below normal means a person has hyperthyroidism.
• T4 test: This test measures the actual amount of circulating thyroid hormone in the blood. In hypothyroidism, the level of T4 in the blood is lower than normal.

• Blood tests: In patients with congenital hypothyroidism, the tests may demonstrate anemia on a complete blood count, increased cholesterol levels, increased liver enzymes, increased prolactin and low sodium.
• X-ray test: A chest x-ray may show an enlarged heart in patients with congenital hypothyroidism.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if symptoms of congenital hypothyroidism develop. If you experience either of the following symptoms, seeking urgent medical care as soon as possible:

• Chest pain
• Palpitation
• Coma

Treatment options

The purpose of treatment is to replace the lacking thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine is the most commonly used medication. When you are taking thyroid hormone medications, the following things are important to remember:

• Lifelong therapy is needed. Do NOT stop taking the medication when you feel better. Continue taking the medication under your doctor's direction.
• Tell your doctor when you want to change brands of thyroid medicine. Different brands of thyroid medicine may affect your blood level of thyroid hormone.
• Tell your dietary habits to the doctor, because some foods may also change your blood level of thyroid hormone.
• Drugs interaction: Thryoid medicine may work best on an empty stomach and when taken 1 hour before any other medications. Do NOT take thyroid hormone with calcium, iron, multivitamins, alumin hydroxide antacids, colestipol, or other medicines that bind bile acids, or fiber supplements.

Where to find medical care for congenital hypothyroidism?

Directions to Hospitals Treating congenital hypothyroidism

Copyleft Sources

http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=congenitalhypothyroidism

http://www.magicfoundation.org/www/docs/114.125/congenital_hypothyroidism_hypothyroid.html

http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/Hypothyroidism/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000353.htm