Thyroid problems & ADHD | ADHD Information

Was just watching Oprah - and a light blub just went off. I wonder if one of my kids who has been dx with ADHD really might have a thyroid issue. Hyperthyroidism.
Here are the list of symptoms of Hyper:
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism emotional liability, with your child being more likely to cry easily, be irritable and excitable, etc. short attention span finger tremor increased appetite weight loss, failure to thrive enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) exophthalmos (protruding eyes) upper eyelid lag infrequent blinking flushed skin excessive sweating muscle weakness tachycardia and palpitation high blood pressure thyroid stormSound familiar, anyone?????? My son probably has 75% of those - especially the emotional liability, increase in appetite & weight loss (always thought that was an odd combo), short attention span, and he is constantly twitching his hands. OMG!!!!!!!!!

I know his biological mother had a goiter that was supposed to be removed so there is family history there. DS is on Tenex which a blood pressure medication and Concerta to help with focus.

I made an appointment for the blood test next week.

I was re-diagnosed with ADD in August 2008 (after 35 years).  When I was a kid I was diagnosed with hyperactivity and on dexedrine for three years.

Also in August or maybe July or September (I can't quite remember) I was also diagnosed with HYPOthyroidism (the opposite of what you're describing).  Some of the symptoms of HYPO are similar to ADD (depression, memory loss). 

I think anyone who gets a diagnosis of ADD or any other condition must get a thorough exam from a physician to help rule out other conditions (such as hyper and hypo thyroidism).  I would think that ruling out other conditions would be imperative to an accurate ADD diagnosis.  Diseases often mask themselves as something else.

Good luck with the blood work.  Keep us posted. 
When I took my kids to get dx - it all lead to ADHD and no other dx was even considered. Before we started ds on Concerta he would go to bed crying that he was so hungry but he had just eaten a meal bigger than my husband. He was also getting really, really skinny. Now we adopted our children from the foster care system and went through major transistion issues but no one along the way mentioned thyroid testing. I took him to the doctors several times about his hunger issues and weight loss - they weren't that concerned. We eventually stared him on Concerta and of course the extreme hunger declined but now 10 months later it is back - concerta or not. BTW: he came to us on tenex so we have no idea if his BP is high or not since Tenex is a BP meds. It could be masking some issues.

But the biggest thing is that his bio mother appeared to be hyperthroid and a young age so why not consider testing my son??? Well, I made the appointment and we ARE getting him tested. Now I am not going to completely disregard the ADHD dx b/c the meds did help him - he was really bad for a while and developed ODD. But if we are medicating him incorrectly, I want to know.

His bio. sister just started on Concerta (she is 7) and I can't tell you the amazing difference in her. I don't think she has a thyroid problem - has no real symptom