Pediatric Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid is a small gland with a big job — it helps set your child's energy, growth, and development. When it makes too little or too much hormone, children feel it. Dr. Samuel Freedman diagnoses and manages the full range of thyroid conditions in children and adolescents in Pembroke Pines.
Conditions we treat
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), including Hashimoto's thyroiditis
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), including Graves' disease
- Thyroid nodules and goiter (an enlarged thyroid)
- Congenital thyroid conditions found on newborn screening
Signs that can point to the thyroid
Thyroid problems can be quiet, which is why they're sometimes missed. An underactive thyroid may cause fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, feeling cold, or slowed growth. An overactive thyroid may cause a racing heart, weight loss, anxiety or irritability, trouble sleeping, or a noticeable swelling in the neck. Any new neck lump deserves prompt evaluation.
How we evaluate & treat
Evaluation usually starts with a careful history and exam plus simple blood tests (such as TSH and thyroid hormone levels), and — when a nodule or goiter is present — an ultrasound. Most thyroid conditions are very manageable: an underactive thyroid is treated with a once-daily replacement hormone and periodic monitoring, while an overactive thyroid has several effective treatment paths. Dr. Freedman explains the options in plain terms and follows your child closely to keep levels right as they grow.
Is childhood hypothyroidism serious?+
It's very treatable. Once diagnosed, a simple daily replacement hormone restores normal levels, and we monitor periodically — especially during growth spurts — to keep the dose right.
My child has a thyroid nodule — should I worry?+
Most thyroid nodules in children are benign, but they should always be evaluated. We use an exam, labs, and ultrasound to decide whether any further testing is needed.
Do thyroid problems affect growth?+
They can — an underactive thyroid is one of the treatable causes of slowed growth, which is one reason thyroid testing is often part of a growth evaluation.