Introduction

As you grow up it’s only natural to want to feel ‘normal’ and just to fit in with your friends. It can therefore be hard to accept that you have a medical condition that can mean you have to take daily medication. It is understandable that you may feel frustrated to have to miss school or work to attend regular doctors’ appointments, and have blood tests etc. In addition to this there will be times when you may find it difficult to manage your symptoms and to feel in control of your thyroid hormone levels.

When this happens you, or your parents or carers, may worry that any difficulties and challenges you have are caused by your thyroid disorder. It may be helpful to remember, however, that going through the teenage years is difficult for most young people whether they have a thyroid disorder (or other health condition) or not.

We’ve prepared some information that suggests some easy steps that will help you take control of your thyroid disorder and to feel better about living with it.

Taking your medication and having regular blood tests

School, college and university and work

Healthy living: diet, sport, exercise and social life

What to do if you’re struggling to cope

Transition from paediatric to adult care

We are grateful to the following people who’ve helped us produce this information:

• Dr Sue Jackson, Chartered Psychologist
• Michelle Griffiths, Trainee Health Psychologist and BTF volunteer
• Dr Tim Cheetham, Paediatric Endocrinologist
• Dr Catherine Peters, Paediatric Endocrinologist
• All the young people who reviewed this information or shared their experiences

If you have any suggestions or feedback about the information in our resources, or if you'd like to share your own experiences of living with a thyroid disorder, we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch.

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