Do children with hypothyroidism have to take medication for the rest of their lives?

Whether children with hypothyroidism need lifelong medication depends on the patient’s specific situation. If the hypothyroidism is caused by subacute thyroiditis, it usually does not need lifelong medication; if the hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, total thyroidectomy, or congenital absence of the thyroid gland, lifelong medication is usually needed. Subacute thyroiditis is a self-limiting thyroid disease, hypothyroidism can occur, when the disease develops to a certain stage can be improved, such cases usually do not need life-long medication; a very small number of patients with subacute thyroiditis may have permanent hypothyroidism, such cases need life-long medication. Hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, total thyroidectomy, and congenital thyroid deficiency usually requires lifelong treatment with levothyroxine sodium tablets to keep thyroid hormones within a reasonable range. Patients with hypothyroidism who are not sure whether they need to take lifelong medication can visit a hospital and ask their doctor to make a judgment.