Thyroid and Children: What Every Parent Needs to Know 

June 30, 2025

Hormonal balance is vital at every stage of life, but it plays a particularly critical role during childhood. While thyroid conditions are often associated with adults—especially middle-aged women—children can also suffer from thyroid imbalances. Unfortunately, these cases are often overlooked. At Hotze Health & Wellness Center, we’ve seen time and again that many children experiencing fatigue, developmental delays, or emotional struggles are misdiagnosed or dismissed altogether. 

When standard lab work appears “normal,” many families are told their child will grow out of it, or worse, that the symptoms are psychological. But what if the true culprit is low thyroid function? 

This post explores the connection between thyroid and children, the signs that something may be wrong, and why alternative, whole-body approaches are often key to identifying and addressing the root cause. 

What Does the Thyroid Do in Children? 

The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and energy. In childhood, this function is even more critical than in adulthood. Thyroid hormones drive brain development, bone growth, immune regulation, digestion, and temperature control. 

When thyroid levels drop—even slightly—these systems can be affected. That’s why children with low thyroid function may exhibit wide-ranging symptoms, from fatigue and poor concentration to constipation and developmental delays. 

Signs of Hypothyroidism in Children 

Low thyroid function does not always present itself in obvious ways. Often, it mimics other concerns. Many parents see their child struggle and are given labels like “lazy,” “anxious,” or “ADHD.” But if multiple symptoms are present, the thyroid should be considered. 

Watch for: 

• Chronic fatigue or sluggishness 
• Cold hands and feet 
• Constipation or poor appetite 
• Growth delays or shorter stature 
• Puffy face or facial swelling 
• Coarse, dry skin or hair loss 
• Trouble focusing or memory issues 
• Emotional swings, sadness, or anxiety 
• Late or early puberty or menstrual irregularities
• Slow speech or late milestones 

These symptoms may unfold over months or years and often go unrecognized unless you’re looking for them. 

Growth and Developmental Delays 

Thyroid hormones play a central role in both physical and neurological development. When they’re deficient, it can slow bone growth and delay the closing of growth plates. Children with low thyroid levels may appear younger than their peers or miss growth spurts altogether². 

Neurologically, thyroid hormones help myelinate the nervous system—a process essential for quick communication between brain and body. Delayed myelination can affect coordination, learning, and emotional resilience³. 

Even minimal thyroid dysfunction during growth phases can have long-lasting effects if not addressed early. 

Thyroid and Emotional Well-being 

Hormones don’t just affect the body—they influence the brain. Thyroid hormones help regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are essential for mood, motivation, and cognitive clarity⁵. 

Children with low thyroid often seem emotionally off-balance. Some are anxious, tearful, or withdrawn. Others may seem depressed or lose interest in school, friends, and play. These changes are sometimes misdiagnosed as behavioral or emotional disorders when the underlying issue very well could be biological. 

In some cases, children are started on psychiatric medications, but their core symptoms persist. For these children, a deeper thyroid evaluation can make a meaningful difference. 

Why Standard Lab Tests Don’t Tell the Whole Story 

In many cases, children with textbook symptoms of hypothyroidism are dismissed based on “normal” lab results. That’s because most conventional panels focus only on TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and T4 levels. These numbers reflect the pituitary gland’s view of thyroid hormone in circulation—but not how effectively those hormones are being used by the body¹. 

Here’s what standard testing misses: 

TSH reflects the pituitary’s signal—not tissue-level activity. TSH is regulated by a small gland in the brain and doesn’t measure how well tissues like the liver, brain, or muscles are receiving and using thyroid hormones. A normal TSH may look fine on paper, even if the body is functionally hypothyroid¹. 

T4 must convert to T3—the active hormone. Most circulating thyroid hormone is in the form of T4, which must be converted into T3 in organs and tissues. Some children are inefficient at this conversion step. So even when T4 and TSH appear normal, their T3 may remain too low for proper function¹. 

Symptoms matter more than a number. While lab results provide helpful data, they don’t always tell the whole story. That’s why we also focus on symptom patterns and how the child is actually functioning day to day. In some cases, additional markers—like resting pulse or body temperature—can offer added context, but our primary focus remains on clinical symptoms paired with a thorough review of comprehensive bloodwork.

Tissue resistance matters. Some children produce adequate thyroid hormones but cannot use them effectively at the cellular level. Factors like stress, nutrient deficiencies, or hormone imbalances (such as high estrogen or cortisol) can block thyroid function where it matters most: inside the cells¹. 

In short, standard bloodwork measures quantity, not effectiveness. Without considering temperature, symptoms, and hormone conversion, the full picture of thyroid health remains hidden. 

Puberty and Hormone Imbalances 

The thyroid helps regulate the timing of puberty. When thyroid function is low, it can throw this process off. Some children experience early puberty, while others face delays⁴. 

Girls may start their cycle late or experience heavy and irregular periods. Boys may show delayed muscle development or slower testicular growth. These changes are often considered normal variations, but thyroid function should always be explored if development is outside the expected timeline. 

A Root-Cause Approach 

At Hotze Health & Wellness Center, we don’t believe your child’s symptoms should be brushed off or medicated without answers. Instead, we take a whole-body approach to uncover the root cause. 

We look at: 

• Developmental history and growth patterns 
• Nutrition and gut health 
• Family history of thyroid or autoimmune issues 
• Sleep quality and energy levels 
• Emotional health and cognitive performance 

When thyroid support is needed, we use bioidentical hormones, personalized to the child’s individual needs. Our approach supports the body naturally and is carefully monitored for safety and effectiveness. 

Don’t Wait for It to Get Worse 

When left unaddressed, low thyroid can interfere with the most important years of development. What starts as tiredness or difficulty focusing can snowball into more serious concerns—academic setbacks, social isolation, and emotional struggles. 

The good news? When identified early, thyroid function can be supported naturally, and many children regain their energy, confidence, and health. 

Trust your gut. If your child isn’t thriving and no one seems to have an answer, don’t wait. Your child’s health shouldn’t be a guessing game. 

Schedule a complimentary wellness consultation by clicking HERE or call us at 281-698-8698. We’ll help you get to the root cause—because every child deserves to feel their best. 

References 

1. Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness. New York: Harper & Row, 1976. 
2. Fisher, D. A., and Dussault, J. H. “Thyroid function and therapy in premature infants.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 45, no. 3, 1977, pp. 577–583. 
3. Koibuchi, Noriyuki, and Chin, William W. “TRH and thyroid hormone regulation of gene expression in the developing brain.” Thyroid, vol. 10, no. 9, 2000, pp. 885–889. 
4. Eugster, Erica A., and Styne, Dennis M. “Delayed puberty: a review.” Pediatrics, vol. 121, no. 4, 2008, pp. e1070–e1079. 
5. Bauer, M., et al. “Thyroid hormones, serotonin and mood: of synergy and significance in the adult brain.” Molecular Psychiatry, vol. 7, 2002, pp. 140–156. 

Categories: children, Hypothyroidism

Tags: alternative medicine, childhood hypothyroidism, functional medicine, growth and hormone imbalance, hormone health in children, low thyroid in kids, natural thyroid support, pediatric thyroid symptoms, thyroid and children

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