Patient's question:
Congenital Hypothyroidism. A female infant born via cesarean section in breech position had heel blood taken at birth, suspecting congenital hypothyroidism. On the 20th day of birth, a postnatal thyroid function test showed five thyroid function indicators: TSH: 16.04 (normal range: 0.34-5.6). Subsequently, she began taking 1/3 tablet of levothyroxine. On the 43rd day of birth (three weeks after starting medication, a follow-up thyroid function test) (FT3: 5.39, FT4: 19.37??, TSH: 1.353) (reference range has changed, see lab report). Thyroid function tests during pregnancy were normal for the mother.(1) Is the condition severe? Is it necessary to take medication for 3-6 months? Is it temporary or permanent medication?
(2) Can levothyroxine be increased in dosage?
(3) Breastfeeding—should the mother eat more kelp and nori to help with the condition? Is it advisable to avoid cabbage, sweet potatoes, and potatoes? Does soy interfere with the effectiveness of levothyroxine?
(4) After taking Yinzhifang for 7 days, jaundice decreased from level 7 to level 4, but it has recently fluctuated again, interfering with vaccinations. What should be done?
Doctor's answer:
The congenital hypothyroidism you mentioned, the cause of this disease is: incomplete development of the thyroid gland, dysfunction in the production of thyroid hormones; if the mother suffers from hyperthyroidism and uses antithyroid drugs or undergoes radioactive iodine 131 treatment during pregnancy, it can inhibit the production of fetal thyroid hormones, leading to hypothyroidism; iodine deficiency during pregnancy and autoimmune thyroiditis can also cause congenital hypothyroidism.