The function of the thyroid gland in the body is to make and secrete thyroid hormone. The normal-sized thyroid gland is not visible in the neck. However, when their size increases, they can be felt manually and noticed from the outside. This condition, that is, the enlargement of the thyroid gland, is called goiter.

Thyroid hormones (TSH, ST4, ST3) are effective on growth, heat formation and metabolism. In addition, it is very important for the development of intelligence in the first 2 years. Thyroid hormones can be normal, high, or low in goiter.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in Children

The overwork of the thyroid gland is called hyperthyroidism. It manifests itself with symptoms such as weakness, irritability, palpitations, tremor in the hands and diarrhea.

Puberty

Puberty is the transition period from childhood to adulthood. This process is very important because it is a period in which the child develops and matures physically, sexually, and spiritually, as well as a period in which he/she directs his/her future and shapes his/her life.

Sexual development in adolescence starts around the age of 10 for girls and 11 for boys. However, it may differ in each child depending on hereditary, structural, and environmental reasons. During this period, rapid height increase, weight gain, changes in body ratios and gender characteristics occur with the effect of increasing hormones. While the first finding in girls is breast development, testicular enlargement in boys. Rarely, growing hairs is also seen as the first finding.

Possible Problems During Puberty

• The child who seeks identity during this period may experience some psychosocial problems.
• Height shortness may develop due to early or late onset of puberty.
• Since anemia or thyroid problems are more common especially in girls during adolescence, complaints such as weakness, fatigue, rapid fatigue, irritability, irritability, and weakness can be seen.
• Although acne is more common in boys than in girls, it is common in adolescence. Caution in case of excessive intensity
• In this period, due to rapid growth and weight gain, curvature of the spine, back-waist pain, and discomfort in walking may develop in the musculoskeletal system.
• Excessive hair growth and/or menstrual irregularity may occur, especially in girls.
• Breast development can be seen in men.
• Excess weight gain may occur during this period. However, since it is very difficult for obese adolescents to lose weight in the future, it is necessary to pay attention.

In the presence of such conditions, a physician should be consulted and examined for possible diseases.

Early Puberty

The age of onset of puberty varies according to gender, race, climate, environmental conditions, nutrition, and hereditary characteristics. It starts around the age of 10 in girls and 11 in boys. It is abnormal for signs of sexual development such as breast/testicular enlargement or genital hair growth to begin before the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys, and further examination is required.

Early puberty is a condition that needs to be treated because it can lead to both behavioral and psychosocial problems in the child and short stature.

Puberty takes an average of 3-5 years to complete. The rapid progression of this period is considered abnormal and should be examined as it starts early. The onset of early sexual development is 10 times more common in girls than in boys. It usually develops due to the early start of the gland that regulates hormone secretion in the brain. Rarely, early sexual development may be observed in some diseases of the ovary/testis or adrenal gland.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Children

Less work of the thyroid gland is called hypothyroidism. Symptoms such as rapid fatigue, slowing of movements, chills, constipation, hair loss, tendency to sleep and difficulty in grasping are observed.

Goiter, that is, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can be seen without enlargement of the thyroid gland. Therefore, when the above-mentioned complaints are seen, a pediatric endocrinologist should be consulted as soon as possible.