Refer a Patient to the Pediatric Thyroid Center
The staff in Pediatric Thyroid Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is here to assist you in providing the best care for your patients.
Please call us to discuss a potential referral, schedule a comprehensive evaluation or seek a second opinion. Our pediatric specialists are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
Information we need
About the referring physician/healthcare provider
- Name
- Contact information (including cell phone or beeper number, and email)
About the patient and family
- Name of patient
- Age of patient
- Name of the patient's parent or guardian
- Phone number(s)
- Brief summary of the patient’s condition (i.e. symptoms, suspected diagnosis)
- What you are seeking (i.e. patient evaluation, second opinion)
We recognize this can be a stressful time for families facing an uncertain diagnosis and prognosis. We strive to schedule all patients as quickly as possible. If you feel a patient needs to be seen more urgently, please let us know and we will work with you.
Condition specific information
Some conditions require specialized diagnostic tools, including:
Thyroid nodule or cyst
If you suspect your patient has a thyroid nodule or cyst, please make sure the patient has a thyroid ultrasound (US) completed prior to the visit. If a thyroid nodule or cyst is noted on another imaging study (e.g. MRI or CT), please order an ultrasound and/or contact us for further guidance. We can advise if the US should be performed locally or if the existing images will give us enough initial information. We can also make an appointment and arrange to have the US performed at CHOP on the day of the patient’s initial visit. This will help us to better evaluate the nodule and/or cyst.
Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
When referring a patient with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, patients should have a thyroid-stimulating hormone level (TSH) and thyroxine level (free T4 or total T4) taken prior to their first visit.
In addition, for patients with hyperthyroidism please include a T3 level and a thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) level. If the thyroid function tests (TFTs) are abnormal, consider ordering a TgAb and TPOAb.
In general, patients with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism will be evaluated in the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes. On request, the Thyroid Center team is available for more complicated cases in an effort to provide the appropriate level of care.
If you are referring a patient for consideration of definitive therapy, either radioactive iodine ablation or thyroidectomy, please request a direct appointment with the Pediatric Thyroid Center team.