Most of the information on this website focuses on thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions as they pertain to adults. However, there are also children who have thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions, and many of the parents of these children would prefer not to give them conventional thyroid treatment methods. But is it safe for a child who has a thyroid or an autoimmune thyroid condition to follow a natural thyroid treatment [1] protocol?
Well, there are of course a few factors one needs to consider before being able to answer such a question. The age of the child is a factor, as treating a five year old is of course different than treating a sixteen year old. But there are also other factors to consider as well, which I’m about to discuss.
What Caused The Thyroid Condition To Develop?
Before determining whether a child can be helped through a natural thyroid treatment protocol, it’s important to understand the cause of their condition. For example, if the child was born with a congenital hypothyroid condition then they might not respond well to such a protocol. This isn’t always the case, but it is usually more challenging when compared to a child who over time developed a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition.
So for example, a five year old who wasn’t born with a thyroid condition but developed the disorder has a chance of having their thyroid health restored back to normal. Unfortunately most parents aren’t aware of this, and so many of these children will be put on thyroid medication when they can be helped through natural treatment methods. Just as is the case with adults, one really should look into the cause of the condition. This doesn’t mean that they won’t need to take thyroid medication on a temporary basis, as it’s definitely important to regulate thyroid hormone in a growing child. But this doesn’t mean that every single one of these children need to take thyroid medication on a permanent basis.
And because they are so young, a child will usually recover quicker than an adult. For example, if their thyroid condition is due to one or more nutritional and/or mineral deficiencies, correcting such a problem usually isn’t as difficult as it is with an adult. The reason for this is because with most adults, it usually takes years for them to develop a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition. Of course sometimes this is true with children too, as I’m not suggesting that it’s always a quick cure with a child. But in most cases it is a quicker process restoring the thyroid health of a child when compared to that of an adult.
Are There Risks When Using Natural Thyroid Treatment Methods?
Getting back to the main question to this article as to whether it is safe for children to follow a natural treatment protocol, the answer to this question is the same as it pertains to adults: when under the guidance of a competent natural endocrine doctor, following natural thyroid treatment methods is usually safe. Does this mean there aren’t risks? Of course there are risks, as no treatment method is 100% safe. Even taking thyroid hormone daily has some risks. And of course giving radioactive iodine in a child poses a risk. So when compared with medical treatments, natural treatment methods are usually a safer bet.
Just as is the case with adults, some children with hypothyroid conditions do need to take thyroid hormone for the rest of their life. But to make this assumption just because an endocrinologist told you this is a big mistake, both for an adult, and for a child. I know I’m focusing more on hypothyroidism, simply because this is more common in children than hyperthyroid conditions (and it of course is more common in adults as well). But the same concept applies with hyperthyroidism as well, as a child with a hyperthyroid condition should also try to have their thyroid gland preserved if at all possible, rather than have it obliterated through radioactive iodine treatment.
Of course one needs to be careful with regards to which supplements and herbs a child needs to take, as well as the dosages. But this is yet another reason why it’s wise to consult with a holistic doctor who focuses on endocrine disorders. While it’s risky for an adult to self-treat their thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition, it is probably even more risky to attempt to self-treat a child’s thyroid condition.
In summary, natural thyroid treatment methods are usually very safe for children. Of course not every child with a thyroid condition can be helped naturally, but many children can benefit, which is why it’s a good idea to consult with a natural endocrine doctor. After all, if there is the possibility of restoring your child’s thyroid health back to normal, then why not at least consider a natural treatment protocol?