media release
Don’t risk not knowing if your newborn has Congenital Hypothyroidism. No newborn should miss out on the Newborn Heel Prick Test
The ATF 2026 Thyroid Awareness Month brings attention to the fact that no newborn should miss out on the Newborn Heel Prick Test.
Without testing Congenital Hypothyroidism can be easily missed. It is essential the test is performed on Day 2 or 3 of life.
Congenital Hypothyroidism usually results when a baby is born without a thyroid gland, or the thyroid gland does not develop completely. There can be other causes of this disorder. There is not always a clear reason why a baby is born with Congenital Hypothyroidism, however a genetic mutation can be the reason. Iodine Deficiency can also play a part as well.
Newborn detection of Congenital Hypothyroidism is determined by way of the Newborn Heel Prick Test. This test is usually done on Day 2 -3 of life and is essential to determine genetic disorders in newborns, says Beverley Garside CEO -Australian Thyroid Foundation.
At present, all states of Australia follow different protocols for the Heel Prick Test which is currently not mandatory, resulting in babies missing out on the test. The Australian Thyroid Foundation supports mandatory testing throughout Australia for all newborns and support the petition for national mandatory testing. Don’t risk not knowing — Sign the petition here
The Heel Prick Test includes the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test which will determine your newborn’s thyroid health status. This test should be performed routinely on all newborn babies throughout Australia. Without this test, a congenital thyroid disorder can easily be overlooked, says Professor Mu Li – ATF Medical Advisor.
It is crucial all newborns are tested within the first a few days of birth. Any delays can lead to severe developmental issues, including loss of IQ. To confirm a congenital hypothyroidism diagnosis, a blood test is then performed with blood taken from a vein, after an elevated TSH heel prick test. Children who have been diagnosed with Congenial Hypothyroidism are treated by a Paediatric Endocrinologist with regular monitoring and testing through their developing years, says Professor Mu Li.
Not all babies are tested, here are why:
- Parents decline the test
- Discharge from hospital before the test
- Failure to follow up testing
- Home births instead of hospital
The Australian Thyroid Foundation support mandatory testing throughout Australia with all states complying to the same protocols.
For more information
About the Australian Thyroid Foundation
The Australian Thyroid Foundation (ATF) is the national thyroid patient organisation. 2025 marked the 30th Anniversary of the ATF supporting and educating its members and raising awareness throughout Australian community about the benefits of Good Thyroid Health and the importance of Prevention of Iodine Deficiency,
The ATF is proud to have reached this milestone and look forward to continuing to reach out to future generations with the many services offered by the ATF.
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Beverley Garside CEO, Australian Thyroid Foundation
M: 0416 269 982 | E: beverley@thyroidfoundation.org.au
