An Aidan Update

In early December, Aidan was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, caused by Graves disease.  Graves is an autoimmune disease.  Basically, his body built up antibodies against his own thyroid, attacking it. The result was an increase in thyroid hormones.  And a big increase it was!  His T3 hormone, which should be under 3, was at 19.  His TSH hormone was 0, meaning his pituitary gland had basically shut down.  It is very rare to have Graves disease at the age of ten and even more rare for a boy.  Girls (women) get Graves at a rate of 4:1.  He is seeing a wonderful endocrinologist at Children's Hospital of Milwaukee...the same doctor who treated his uncle Andy years ago! So, while we were surprised at the diagnosis, we were also relieved that we had an answer to his symptoms.

A little history:  Aidan started looking very thin in the summer, but he was also having a big growth increase, and not loosing overall weight, so we just thought he was going through a growth spurt.  In early fall, he started looking even more thin (and he didn't have much body fat to begin with!) and we put him on a high calorie diet.  Even with a ton of calories (think two extra large Haagan Dazs milk shakes a day plus an extra meal!), he was not gaining.  Additionally, by November, we started noticing many other symptoms and his school work was suffering as well. Some symptoms were vague, others a bit scary. So, to make a long story short, we took him the doctor, and there began his journey with Graves disease, and a long treatment plan, most likely for life.  Our hopes are for him to eventually go into remission, which does happen, although rarely for a severe case. 

The good news?!  It's treatable.  The other good news?! On the way home from Children's Hospital of Milwaukee (Seamus and Grandma and Grandpa D were with us that day), we took the boys to Cabela's....a big treat for Aidan!

Photos aren't the greatest because they were from my ipod...