Delayed puberty and growth hormone injections

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. This thread has been very helpful and informative. DH is a freshman who will be turning 15 soon. He’s barely 5’3, 100lbs with signs of puberty. He looks like a little child compared to his peers and the smallest on his JV team. It’s definitely weighing on him mentally, whereas before HS, his small size didn’t seem to faze him, despite playing multiple sports.

Information about the testosterone shots and the resource from the PP who’s a pediatrician is helpful and we will explore if that might be an option for DS at his 15-year check-up. DH, who’s 6’0” was also a very late bloomer and recalled how he struggled with confidence and kept him from going out for HS sports despite being a great athlete. He says to this day, even though he’s now above average in height, he still sees himself as the small guy in his friend group, despite having caught up to and even having surpassed many of them in height.

Oops, obviously meant DS.

Ugh, and meant NO signs of puberty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. This thread has been very helpful and informative. DH is a freshman who will be turning 15 soon. He’s barely 5’3, 100lbs with signs of puberty. He looks like a little child compared to his peers and the smallest on his JV team. It’s definitely weighing on him mentally, whereas before HS, his small size didn’t seem to faze him, despite playing multiple sports.

Information about the testosterone shots and the resource from the PP who’s a pediatrician is helpful and we will explore if that might be an option for DS at his 15-year check-up. DH, who’s 6’0” was also a very late bloomer and recalled how he struggled with confidence and kept him from going out for HS sports despite being a great athlete. He says to this day, even though he’s now above average in height, he still sees himself as the small guy in his friend group, despite having caught up to and even having surpassed many of them in height.

I just listened to a podcast on delayed puberty and how it impacts boys and girls differently. Apparently, this is a thing. It was part of the discussion.

[Anonymous]

So, so, so many kids are hitting growth spurts very early and going through puberty early.

Kids that have normal trajectory, are in the normal range, are now seen as being 'late'.

I have two boys. My oldest didn't have his big growth spurt start until 15.5 when he was 5'3". He's 17 and now 6 feet. He went from being one of the taller kids in elementary school to one of the shortest kids 7-9th. And even some of our idiot neighbors would make comments about his height. He's now taller than their kids that were tall in 7th grade.

My younger son just turned 15 and was even tinier than his brother at the same age, relatively same height but is painfully skinny and has an incredibly high metabolism. BUT, even he just started on his growth. He seems to be taking it in stride and I do see about 1/3 of the kids on his soccer team are same build and height, and several of the Freshmen boys streaming out of school at the end of the day.

We did zero intervention. I'm not so crazy about the idea for a kid with nothing 'wrong', but just a different timetable. Other parents can be worse than other kids. My kids have a lot of confidence and did even when they were the smallest. BUT, MAN did I hear some crap from the sports mom and dads about their height. U13-U17 is pretty crazy for boys. The different heights and stages of puberty on the field are pretty striking. And when all is said and done, you can't judge how it turns out. My 6 foot Junior is still growing. A lot of those 5'8" 6th graders that voices changed and puberty hit early are still 5'8" 6 years later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, so, so many kids are hitting growth spurts very early and going through puberty early.

Kids that have normal trajectory, are in the normal range, are now seen as being 'late'.

I have two boys. My oldest didn't have his big growth spurt start until 15.5 when he was 5'3". He's 17 and now 6 feet. He went from being one of the taller kids in elementary school to one of the shortest kids 7-9th. And even some of our idiot neighbors would make comments about his height. He's now taller than their kids that were tall in 7th grade.

My younger son just turned 15 and was even tinier than his brother at the same age, relatively same height but is painfully skinny and has an incredibly high metabolism. BUT, even he just started on his growth. He seems to be taking it in stride and I do see about 1/3 of the kids on his soccer team are same build and height, and several of the Freshmen boys streaming out of school at the end of the day.

We did zero intervention. I'm not so crazy about the idea for a kid with nothing 'wrong', but just a different timetable. Other parents can be worse than other kids. My kids have a lot of confidence and did even when they were the smallest. BUT, MAN did I hear some crap from the sports mom and dads about their height. U13-U17 is pretty crazy for boys. The different heights and stages of puberty on the field are pretty striking. And when all is said and done, you can't judge how it turns out. My 6 foot Junior is still growing. A lot of those 5'8" 6th graders that voices changed and puberty hit early are still 5'8" 6 years later.

+1

There is a lot of talk about girls hitting puberty earlier than in previous generations , but it is true for boys too.

I think body weight/mass has an effect for boys as well…not just girls. Kids seem SO much thicker/stockier these days (healthy and not overweight- just- thicker). Looking at my kids’ friends, the skinny boys seem to hit puberty later. I can’t think of many exceptions.

A lot of my younger sons’ friends who grew REALLY quickly around 6th and 7th grade haven’t grown much of anything since (now in 9th grade). 5’8”ish seems to be typical. The later puberty kids are starting to catch up a bit and the heights are looking less varied. However, the early puberty boys are waaaaay more physically mature/muscular etc. They look more like men.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. This thread has been very helpful and informative. DH is a freshman who will be turning 15 soon. He’s barely 5’3, 100lbs with signs of puberty. He looks like a little child compared to his peers and the smallest on his JV team. It’s definitely weighing on him mentally, whereas before HS, his small size didn’t seem to faze him, despite playing multiple sports.

Information about the testosterone shots and the resource from the PP who’s a pediatrician is helpful and we will explore if that might be an option for DS at his 15-year check-up. DH, who’s 6’0” was also a very late bloomer and recalled how he struggled with confidence and kept him from going out for HS sports despite being a great athlete. He says to this day, even though he’s now above average in height, he still sees himself as the small guy in his friend group, despite having caught up to and even having surpassed many of them in height.

I just listened to a podcast on delayed puberty and how it impacts boys and girls differently. Apparently, this is a thing. It was part of the discussion.

I'm the PP. Would you mind sharing the link to the podcast. Do they share tips on how to help build confidence in our late bloomers? DH said he continued to grow in college and, from what I hear, had the biggest glow up (my words) out of all his friends in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, so, so many kids are hitting growth spurts very early and going through puberty early.

Kids that have normal trajectory, are in the normal range, are now seen as being 'late'.

I have two boys. My oldest didn't have his big growth spurt start until 15.5 when he was 5'3". He's 17 and now 6 feet. He went from being one of the taller kids in elementary school to one of the shortest kids 7-9th. And even some of our idiot neighbors would make comments about his height. He's now taller than their kids that were tall in 7th grade.

My younger son just turned 15 and was even tinier than his brother at the same age, relatively same height but is painfully skinny and has an incredibly high metabolism. BUT, even he just started on his growth. He seems to be taking it in stride and I do see about 1/3 of the kids on his soccer team are same build and height, and several of the Freshmen boys streaming out of school at the end of the day.

We did zero intervention. I'm not so crazy about the idea for a kid with nothing 'wrong', but just a different timetable. Other parents can be worse than other kids. My kids have a lot of confidence and did even when they were the smallest. BUT, MAN did I hear some crap from the sports mom and dads about their height. U13-U17 is pretty crazy for boys. The different heights and stages of puberty on the field are pretty striking. And when all is said and done, you can't judge how it turns out. My 6 foot Junior is still growing. A lot of those 5'8" 6th graders that voices changed and puberty hit early are still 5'8" 6 years later.

This! DS has always been a confident kids and never seemed to let his size bother him until HS where even his own coaches would make entirely unconstructive comments about his size. smh

[Anonymous]

My 5th grader showed signs of puberty as a 7 year old. The endocrinologist suggested hormone blockers. She said it’s a problem for girls who look older than they are. They are treated differently and more is expected of them.
She was on the chart, 85% height, 65% weight but there were breast buds, hair growth.

The blockers are working. No period and her height is about 95% and weight 75%. We’ve slowed down the blockers and will stop them when she’s 12. Some of her friends are about her size and do have their periods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, so, so many kids are hitting growth spurts very early and going through puberty early.

Kids that have normal trajectory, are in the normal range, are now seen as being 'late'.

I have two boys. My oldest didn't have his big growth spurt start until 15.5 when he was 5'3". He's 17 and now 6 feet. He went from being one of the taller kids in elementary school to one of the shortest kids 7-9th. And even some of our idiot neighbors would make comments about his height. He's now taller than their kids that were tall in 7th grade.

My younger son just turned 15 and was even tinier than his brother at the same age, relatively same height but is painfully skinny and has an incredibly high metabolism. BUT, even he just started on his growth. He seems to be taking it in stride and I do see about 1/3 of the kids on his soccer team are same build and height, and several of the Freshmen boys streaming out of school at the end of the day.

We did zero intervention. I'm not so crazy about the idea for a kid with nothing 'wrong', but just a different timetable. Other parents can be worse than other kids. My kids have a lot of confidence and did even when they were the smallest. BUT, MAN did I hear some crap from the sports mom and dads about their height. U13-U17 is pretty crazy for boys. The different heights and stages of puberty on the field are pretty striking. And when all is said and done, you can't judge how it turns out. My 6 foot Junior is still growing. A lot of those 5'8" 6th graders that voices changed and puberty hit early are still 5'8" 6 years later.

This! DS has always been a confident kids and never seemed to let his size bother him until HS where even his own coaches would make entirely unconstructive comments about his size. smh

Would you rather the coaches just bench him without saying why? They are in it to win, and sadly for the late bloomers, strength/size does matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, so, so many kids are hitting growth spurts very early and going through puberty early.

Kids that have normal trajectory, are in the normal range, are now seen as being 'late'.

I have two boys. My oldest didn't have his big growth spurt start until 15.5 when he was 5'3". He's 17 and now 6 feet. He went from being one of the taller kids in elementary school to one of the shortest kids 7-9th. And even some of our idiot neighbors would make comments about his height. He's now taller than their kids that were tall in 7th grade.

My younger son just turned 15 and was even tinier than his brother at the same age, relatively same height but is painfully skinny and has an incredibly high metabolism. BUT, even he just started on his growth. He seems to be taking it in stride and I do see about 1/3 of the kids on his soccer team are same build and height, and several of the Freshmen boys streaming out of school at the end of the day.

We did zero intervention. I'm not so crazy about the idea for a kid with nothing 'wrong', but just a different timetable. Other parents can be worse than other kids. My kids have a lot of confidence and did even when they were the smallest. BUT, MAN did I hear some crap from the sports mom and dads about their height. U13-U17 is pretty crazy for boys. The different heights and stages of puberty on the field are pretty striking. And when all is said and done, you can't judge how it turns out. My 6 foot Junior is still growing. A lot of those 5'8" 6th graders that voices changed and puberty hit early are still 5'8" 6 years later.

This! DS has always been a confident kids and never seemed to let his size bother him until HS where even his own coaches would make entirely unconstructive comments about his size. smh

Would you rather the coaches just bench him without saying why? They are in it to win, and sadly for the late bloomers, strength/size does matter.

That's why I qualified my comment by saying "unconstructive". I'm all for constructive feedback on what we can do to get stronger, use his size to his advantage, etc but making observations on something he has no control over - i.e., his size - is unconstructive.

[Anonymous]

Following. The world is unkind to small men and smaller boys. My son is 8 and small but athletic/ strong. The kids are vicious. My son is a Lionel Messi fan and he had HGC shots. I just keep trying to build up his confidence. Kids claim they are stronger because they are taller. Genetic make up isn’t a skill. Don’t comment on anyone’s shape or size!

Will definitely be looking for that podcast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, so, so many kids are hitting growth spurts very early and going through puberty early.

Kids that have normal trajectory, are in the normal range, are now seen as being 'late'.

I have two boys. My oldest didn't have his big growth spurt start until 15.5 when he was 5'3". He's 17 and now 6 feet. He went from being one of the taller kids in elementary school to one of the shortest kids 7-9th. And even some of our idiot neighbors would make comments about his height. He's now taller than their kids that were tall in 7th grade.

My younger son just turned 15 and was even tinier than his brother at the same age, relatively same height but is painfully skinny and has an incredibly high metabolism. BUT, even he just started on his growth. He seems to be taking it in stride and I do see about 1/3 of the kids on his soccer team are same build and height, and several of the Freshmen boys streaming out of school at the end of the day.

We did zero intervention. I'm not so crazy about the idea for a kid with nothing 'wrong', but just a different timetable. Other parents can be worse than other kids. My kids have a lot of confidence and did even when they were the smallest. BUT, MAN did I hear some crap from the sports mom and dads about their height. U13-U17 is pretty crazy for boys. The different heights and stages of puberty on the field are pretty striking. And when all is said and done, you can't judge how it turns out. My 6 foot Junior is still growing. A lot of those 5'8" 6th graders that voices changed and puberty hit early are still 5'8" 6 years later.

This! DS has always been a confident kids and never seemed to let his size bother him until HS where even his own coaches would make entirely unconstructive comments about his size. smh

Would you rather the coaches just bench him without saying why? They are in it to win, and sadly for the late bloomers, strength/size does matter.

That's why I qualified my comment by saying "unconstructive". I'm all for constructive feedback on what we can do to get stronger, use his size to his advantage, etc but making observations on something he has no control over - i.e., his size - is unconstructive.

Then, yes, you would rather the coaches bench him without saying why.

Lol, ok. It seems you understand his situation better than we do. So insightful of you. Good job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. This thread has been very helpful and informative. DH is a freshman who will be turning 15 soon. He’s barely 5’3, 100lbs with signs of puberty. He looks like a little child compared to his peers and the smallest on his JV team. It’s definitely weighing on him mentally, whereas before HS, his small size didn’t seem to faze him, despite playing multiple sports.

Information about the testosterone shots and the resource from the PP who’s a pediatrician is helpful and we will explore if that might be an option for DS at his 15-year check-up. DH, who’s 6’0” was also a very late bloomer and recalled how he struggled with confidence and kept him from going out for HS sports despite being a great athlete. He says to this day, even though he’s now above average in height, he still sees himself as the small guy in his friend group, despite having caught up to and even having surpassed many of them in height.

DS almost 18 said the other day that he still feels like the shortest kid in his friend group even though he is now taller than all but one. He's a late bloomer, and he's still growing - a bit over 5'10".

It's tough, but I didn't want to interfere with his hormones just to make him feel better. There was nothing wrong with him medically, and we just wanted to let nature take its course.

DD going through the same thing. No period yet at 14.5. But, DD is fine with that because she doesn't want to start her period and all the hassle that comes with it. She's about 5'4"ish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Following. The world is unkind to small men and smaller boys. My son is 8 and small but athletic/ strong. The kids are vicious. My son is a Lionel Messi fan and he had HGC shots. I just keep trying to build up his confidence. Kids claim they are stronger because they are taller. Genetic make up isn’t a skill. Don’t comment on anyone’s shape or size!

Will definitely be looking for that podcast.

Agreed. I have a tiny but very athletic and coordinated kid. His favorite thing to do is fake out the tall players on soccer/football field so they lose their balance and fall. But he gets crap from his friends on a daily basis regarding his height.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a pediatrician, I don't know why anyone would recommend growth hormone injections for constitutional growth delay. It's just delayed puberty -- CGD itself doesn't have any effect on final height. They just reach it later.

Are you sure you don't mean "familial short stature?"

Our endo told us the same thing (in that, why start him on medication just to give him medication) in our DS' case.

I'm 5'7", ex-dh is 6'4". DS is 15.5, bones measure about 2/3 years behind (we didn't have his teeth examined). ADHD and on meds since 2nd grade. He's finally showing signs of puberty now so his was really delayed but based on his bone age scans (we've been discussing this situation for the last two years with his endo) he has a lot of room to grow so she pretty much released us from seeing her. Last year he grew 4 inches in total so I think it's all finally happening.

That said, I feel you OP on the sports thing. Even now with his 4" of growth last year he's still on the smaller side in his grade and this year, for the first time since t-ball, he didn't want to try out for the baseball team because he felt he couldnt keep up size wise or strength wise which made me sad for him because he was so committed to his sport.

[Anonymous]

Adding to this thread- i have a 14 y.o. son w/ Constitutional Growth delay. Not even close to 5 feet tall yet. His 11 y.o. sister is taller than him. He will be starting 1x/wk testosterone injections for 12 weeks shortly. Wondering how soon he can expect to see growth spurt, or any growth at all. I am 5’5” and dad is 5’11”. He is doing freshman soccer and is so much smaller then everyone. It is very hard on him. Hoping he can grow significantly for next year.