underactive thyroid/blood tests

[lannie]

My baby has been diagnosed with underactive thyroid, but at a level which is below that requiring treatment. Are there any doctors or nurses reading who could furnish me with the vocabulary to ask the correct questions? I've been given no details by the hospital concerned regarding her levels and would like to know what is considered normal etc? I will, of course. ask the consultants concerned, but our next appointment is not for a month.

Also, my baby had to undergo seven attempts to take blood and as anyone who has been through this with a baby knows, it is extremely distressing to see them in pain. Can they be given a local anaesthetic before this is done?

Many thanks for any help anyone can offer. My baby is fourteen weeks old.

Re the anaesthetic for blood tests, we have a tube of Emla cream that our GP gave us. You apply it to the site about an hour before (cover with cling film). It makes all the difference as the dd's have been rarely aware they've even had a blood test.

They were a bit older than your baby when they needed a lot of tests but the other thing that really helped was they way she wrapped them in a towel, rather like swaddling,..she made it fun but it did mean they couldn't flail and they both lay very calmly.

Not sure if you can get it from the chemist without a script. I once bought some over the counter in Hong Kong.

Can you talk to your GP about your babys thyroid situation. Would the GP have a copy of the results? A month is a long time to wait...

Good luck x