Thyroid Disorders in Kids

Thyroid Disorders in Kids

From Charting Pediatrics by Children's Hospital Colorado

April 7, 2026 · 25 min · Season 9 · Episode 36

About this episode

This episode discusses the complexities of diagnosing thyroid disorders in children and their impact on long-term health.

A tired teen who struggles to get out of bed or a child whose growth is falling behind expectations , are familiar clinical problems, each with a differential diagnosis. Thyroid disorders are often on the differential for many common symptoms we see , yet thyroid disease rarely walks into the office announcing itself. Instead, thyroid disorders can hide in plain sight, disguised as other diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, delayed puberty, constipation or "just teenage hormones . " In this episode, we've diving into the physiology, the pitfall s and the practical decisions behind pediatric thyroid care. Because when we understand the thyroid , we can protect long-term health. Maggie Chan, MD , is an endocrinologist at Children's Hospital Colorado, as well as an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include: Most common thyroid disorders in children How to differentiate between mental health symptoms versus thyroid symptoms When to screen and what labs to test for T hree practical takeaways to utilize in clinic For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org .

People in this episode

Guest: Maggie Chan, MD

Topics covered

  • thyroid disorders
  • pediatric care
  • mental health
  • growth issues
  • clinical diagnosis

Keywords

  • thyroid disorders
  • pediatrics
  • mental health symptoms
  • screening
  • clinical decisions

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine

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