Question
Shortly after birth, the newborn underwent a heel blood test, which showed a positive result for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). The initial test result was 11.6, and subsequent retests showed an increase to 21.852. The parents are seeking professional advice to understand if there are effective treatment methods available and plan to take the child to the pediatric endocrinology department for further diagnosis and treatment.
Answer
Based on the description and thyroid function test results, the neonate may have hyperthyroidism and cannot rule out the possibility of hypothyroidism. Serum TSH levels are an important indicator for diagnosing congenital hypothyroidism. If the neonate’s TSH levels are too high during screening, further examination of thyroid function should be conducted to exclude transient hyperthyroidism. The diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism should be made as early as possible to avoid affecting intellectual development. The main treatment method is to supplement thyroid hormone, with no other alternative options. It is recommended that parents bring their child to a pediatric endocrinology department.