Can Hypothyroid Make You Starving?

[Wolicki]

Hi all,

After I was diagnosed last summer, I had my sons tested. My 9 year old was positive and went gluten free in October. His ferritin was 12 at the time.

For the last couple of months, he has been bingeing on food. One day last week, in one sitting early in the am, he at: a whole jar of PB, a big bag of tortilla chips and a bunch of fruit rollups.

It is not the first time this happened. So I took him to the PED to see if he needs tests because of something physical, or therapy for something emotional.

She thought both would be a good idea. So he has an appt with a therapist. I got a call back today from the doc, and he has hypothyroid, and his ferritin has fallen to 2!

So can hypothryoid cause you to be starving? He says he's always hungry.

And I've been giving him iron supps, and it dropped! How does that happen?

Help?

[TrillumHunter]

Being anemic makes me eat all the time. I think I was trying to get more energy. I feel tired even when I first get up in the morning.

I could absorb iron at first, but then I developed gastritis and I can't anymore. The gastritis is healed, but my dr says I may never be able to absorb enough iron.

He's young, so I would hope this wouldn't be true for him. Maybe think of seeing both an endocrinologist and a hematologist.

It's going to be okay. You'll get on top of this!

[Wolicki]

Thanks TH. It's just so frustrating. Me and my symptoms and issues are one thing, but my baby? Way tough

[trents]

Have you had him evaluated for pernicious anemia (inability to absorb B12, which is necessary for iron assimilation)?

[Wolicki]

Have you had him evaluated for pernicious anemia (inability to absorb B12, which is necessary for iron assimilation)?

Yes, his B12 is over 700. The weird thing is his hemocrit, hemoglobin are all in the normal range. It's just his ferritin that was low.

[trents]

Yes, his B12 is over 700. The weird thing is his hemocrit, hemoglobin are all in the normal range. It's just his ferritin that was low.

Actually, 12 is the low end of normal for ferritin, I believe but 2 is definitely out of range. Ferritin is a storage protein for iron so it could be that your son's body is just now beginning to deplete the iron stores and that to this point the H&H have been maintained. How are you giving the supplements? Oral Fe is best abosorbed in an acidic environment so should not be taken in close proximity to meals high in dairy (or calcium supplements) or with coffee/tea (tannins) egg yolk or calcium supplementation, all of which bind with the iron and prevent good utilization.

If it can be tolerated, it works best to take Fe between meals with a little Vitamin C, tomato or OJ.

[trents]

One other thing. Does your son take a folic acid supplement, say in a multiple? The reason I'm asking is that folic acid supplementation masks B12 deficiency so that his testing may not be accurate.

[mommida]

My son is ten and his appetite really increased during this growth spurt time.

I think Trents is right on with the advice there.

[Wolicki]

Both of my boys have always eaten like horses. This is like way crazy eating.

He takes a multi gummi vitamin each day, 40 mg Ritalin SR (for ADHD) and an iron supplement. He is a super healthy eater most of the time. Eats lots of fruits and veg, lean proteins, but he's not much of a grain eater. Occassional rice cakes and tortillas, but no rice, rarely pasta. He eats a fair amount of beef, too.

Does anyone know if Ritalin can mess with the iron level?

Thanks!!