When to see an endocrinologist

[Anonymous]

At what age do you start to get concerned re growth and no signs of puberty in teens? Have twins DS and DD and both are small for their age and not showing signs of puberty at 13. I was a late bloomer and they have always been on the small side, but suddenly it feels like they are surrounded by giants, many who are clearly well along in the puberty process.

[Anonymous]

Definitely this year. By hitting the teens, there should be some signs of growth.

[Anonymous]

Zero signs in either? Do you take them for yearly well checks? Has this been brought up before? When are they due for next well check?

[Anonymous]

Have you brought this up with the pediatrician?

Our pediatrician, when my DS hadn’t grown at all in height between his 12 yr and 13 yr check-ups (along with no signs of puberty), referred us to an endocrinologist.

[Anonymous]

We started by talking to their pediatrician and then at 14 went to see an endocrinologist. That whole time, DS's development seemed to be at a standstill.

After looking at the results, the endo said DS should start developing just before 15 and if not we'd start more intensive efforts.

A few months before 15, DS started growing and developing along with the associated increase in appetite. We're happy about it though we'll keep in touch with the endo for the time being.

[Anonymous]

We started seeing an endocrinologist when my DS turned 10 after his growth dropped from 75th% to 15th%. He failed his growth hormone stimulation test and was diagnosed with hypo-pituitarism. He received growth hormone shots from age 10 to age 16. He started taking supplemental thyroid medication as well (and will likely continue that throughout his life). He did not enter puberty until he was 15 and never really had a growth spurt; he just grew slowly and continuously. He even added an inch at age 20.

[Anonymous]

Our pediatrician told us that 14 was the age to start the process, unless it’s like PP above, of course.

My oldest DS didn’t start puberty until 14.5 years old and his younger brother, 13, is on the same trajectory.

[Anonymous]

BTDT with both a DS and a DD (also twins). Your first stop should definitely be the pediatrician. What does the pediatrician say? You can’t necessarily tell your kids’ stage of puberty without an exam, as the early signs will not necessarily be noticeable to a parent. It is unusual for a DD to not have started puberty at 13 (if that is indeed the case) but less unusual for a DS.

Our ped was able to assure me that both of my kids were just “on the late to very late side”- and were showing early signs of puberty that I was unaware of. At age 13, both of my kids were 5’0” and looked liked skinny children. DD continued to grow gradually and started her period just before she turned 15. DS didn’t start growth spurt until 14.5 but has grown 7 inches in the past 18mos. At age 16, they are 5’11” and 5’7”, and obviously look like teens.

I always wondered if this had something to do with them being twins- but ped assured me that is not the case, nor can I find any literature that points to that. Also we know lots of other twins who have developed on a more typical timeline. My DH was a late bloomer so there is some family history.

Anyway- talk to you pediatrician and ask specifically what stage of puberty they are.. If not satisfied, you can always make an appt with an endo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our pediatrician told us that 14 was the age to start the process, unless it’s like PP above, of course.

My oldest DS didn’t start puberty until 14.5 years old and his younger brother, 13, is on the same trajectory.

+1

My DS was the same- age 14.5. It is on the later end for sure, but not super unusual for boys. There was a large handful of boys like this. They started HS looking like 12 year olds but all grew eventually (most grew big time freshman-sophomore years).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We started seeing an endocrinologist when my DS turned 10 after his growth dropped from 75th% to 15th%. He failed his growth hormone stimulation test and was diagnosed with hypo-pituitarism. He received growth hormone shots from age 10 to age 16. He started taking supplemental thyroid medication as well (and will likely continue that throughout his life). He did not enter puberty until he was 15 and never really had a growth spurt; he just grew slowly and continuously. He even added an inch at age 20.

How tall is he now?

[Anonymous]

OP---NORMAL!!!!!!!!!!!!

You describe your own later development. There is your answer.

My brother grew 2 inches in college. I grew 1 inch. My husband also recalls growing later.

I have a 19-year old (freshmen in college) and 16.5 year old (junior in HS).

Both became eclipsed by giants around MS. The younger one was on the smaller side even earlier. My older one had been relatively on the taller side until 12.

Entered HS at 5'4". Older one graduated at 5'11". He is now 6'1". Grew first semester in college after just turning 19.

Younger one has just started growing--but looks like a baby. No facial hair, rounder face, very skinny. He is no around 5'9", and obviously a lot of growing to do still.

Both of them had xrays for sport injury around 14 (one ankle and a wrist fracture, other one foot/heel) at that time the orthopedist said their growth plates were wide open and noted they had a lot of growing left.

I was especially concerned for my younger one because he was also very skinny which made him look even younger/smaller than older brother at same age. But, he's just now starting gain some more muscle. Voice is just starting to change and he will be 17 in April.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We started seeing an endocrinologist when my DS turned 10 after his growth dropped from 75th% to 15th%. He failed his growth hormone stimulation test and was diagnosed with hypo-pituitarism. He received growth hormone shots from age 10 to age 16. He started taking supplemental thyroid medication as well (and will likely continue that throughout his life). He did not enter puberty until he was 15 and never really had a growth spurt; he just grew slowly and continuously. He even added an inch at age 20.

How tall is he now?

He is 6'3" now as an adult. Which is normal for our family, considering that his dad is 6'4", his brother is 6'5", and I am 6'0".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP---NORMAL!!!!!!!!!!!!

You describe your own later development. There is your answer.

My brother grew 2 inches in college. I grew 1 inch. My husband also recalls growing later.

I have a 19-year old (freshmen in college) and 16.5 year old (junior in HS).

Both became eclipsed by giants around MS. The younger one was on the smaller side even earlier. My older one had been relatively on the taller side until 12.

Entered HS at 5'4". Older one graduated at 5'11". He is now 6'1". Grew first semester in college after just turning 19.

Younger one has just started growing--but looks like a baby. No facial hair, rounder face, very skinny. He is no around 5'9", and obviously a lot of growing to do still.

Both of them had xrays for sport injury around 14 (one ankle and a wrist fracture, other one foot/heel) at that time the orthopedist said their growth plates were wide open and noted they had a lot of growing left.

I was especially concerned for my younger one because he was also very skinny which made him look even younger/smaller than older brother at same age. But, he's just now starting gain some more muscle. Voice is just starting to change and he will be 17 in April.

NP here. Curious if you know how much growing did they post-14? I have a 14 year old who had a growth plate injury in his elbow and xrays showed his growth plates were wide open. His orthopedist also said he had a lot of growing left. I am curious b/c he's actually already fairly tall at 6' and the height calculators predict him to be 6'2", so not a lot of growing actually left.

[Anonymous]

Speaking as someone whose teen sees an endo for another issue, would advise to try and get an appointment before you may think you need it. The wait lists are long, 6+ months.

[Anonymous]

If you’re concerned OP, talk to your pediatrician. When other kids started their puberty, or how much someone else’s son grew in college, is irrelevant to *your* kids.