(Long) Anybody have exper. w/ growth hormones for their kids?

[LG Gone Wild]

We were referred to a ped. endocrinologist. DS is super tiny, always has been. In one part it is genetic but even so, he is a 10yo with a 7 yo body. He's not a late bloomer which is what we were trying to find out with the endo. Ds has bone age done and lab work to make sure his systems were honky dory. His bone age is 10 and he isn't under producing anything.

 

The endo examined ds head to toe, asked me questions about lifestyle and personality (no weird questions like if I keep a gun in the house), family height, birth weight and size of kiddos, he also did some charting.

 

Endo recommended growth hormone for DS. His words were to something to the effect of maximizing ds's genetic potential. He didn't mean to turn my scrappy chihuahua into a gentle giant. Endo's goal, as he expressed to me, is to get my son ON the growth chart.

 

Nagging thoughts..

 

1. Hypocrisy..all this time I've been telling ds being short is nothing. I mean it and I say it in all sincerity. I am super short but don't care. It bothered me a lot when I was a kid because it bothered my mom SO MUCH and for Pete's sake, she is 4'9". Crazy, huh? We tease ds about being small but we are all small in my family. I keep saying shortness is nothing and yet it is something. So much so, we are seeing specialists and considering hormone treatment. How can I say what I say?

 

2. OK, we are all small in my family but ds is really on the extreme level (kind of like everything else about him). Dd is smaller than all her peers but she isn't head and shoulders smaller. Youngest ds, can't tell yet but I can buy clothes that are his age.

 

3. His body is perfect, beautiful really. He is a fine specimen just miniature. Should I be messing with perfection?

 

The treatment is a big deal, daily injections for years, all to get an extra two inches. We don't have long to decide because puberty is around the corner. Will he resent us if we didn't try? I know my mom would yell at me if I didn't do this. My parents did this for me.

 

Thanks for reading.

[Sputterduck]

It sounds as if it is normal for his genes. I would not mess with normal.

 

Now, if it were due to some medical condition and not just who he is programmed to be, then I might go with medication.

[Barb_]

Would you consider taking your son's opinion into consideration? The first thing I would do in this situation is to discuss it with the child in question.

 

Barb

[Momma2Many66]

I would first find out what the side effects of the growth hormones are before making any decisions.

 

Can these growth hormones lead to cancers later in life, sort of like they are now finding with the HRT ?

 

Will it cause any disturbances in his body that may be a huge con for you in the long run, such as sleep disturbances, hormone inbalances, ectera.

 

I am big on being who nature intended us to be, but I also have a little guy myself, so I understand your concerns.

 

I've also had a daughter with cancer, so I worry about everything that can lead to more cancer problems in our family and what goes into my children now.

 

I would want to know much more about the side effects before thinking more about trying this therapy, especially if it is to gain just a few inches.

[QueenCat]

My son has been on Nutropen, a synthetic growth hormone, for the past 8 years. He has about a year left. No negative side effects. After a couple of weeks, the shots are no big deal, and very easy to administer. He does not produce very much growth hormone on his own (slowed down around the age of 6). He would have only hit around 4ft. 5 without it. He is now 5ft. 10, and will stop taking the growth hormone as soon as his growth platelets are closed (dr. says about another year).

It IS different for a man vs a woman to have height issues. Are the two inches going to make him go from being noticably short as an adult male? Anyone that tells you a man can have it easy in life being significantly short is a liar! There are barriers and unfair discrimination. And yes, I know, no one's life is easy, but it is an extra barrier.

Cathie

[LG Gone Wild]

Would you consider taking your son's opinion into consideration? The first thing I would do in this situation is to discuss it with the child in question.

 

Barb

 

He is oddly quiet about it. I've asked and he wasn't sure. He's not keen on daily shots but he would like to be taller.

[MicheleinMN]

Have your son done the testing to see if he would benefit from or even qualify for growth hormone? Our dd (now 9) has had the blood test several times and also the longer one to check for certain spikes. She always comes back in the VERY low normal range. We tend to lean to the small stature side in our family too, but dd wasn't making the charts, and even now I'm not sure if we should keep pursuing it.

 

How does your son feel about his height/size? How does he feel about having to have shots every day?

 

It's tough to know what to do.

[LG Gone Wild]

I would first find out what the side effects of the growth hormones are before making any decisions.

 

Can these growth hormones lead to cancers later in life, sort of like they are now finding with the HRT ?

 

Will it cause any disturbances in his body that may be a huge con for you in the long run, such as sleep disturbances, hormone inbalances, ectera.

 

I am big on being who nature intended us to be, but I also have a little guy myself, so I understand your concerns.

 

I've also had a daughter with cancer, so I worry about everything that can lead to more cancer problems in our family and what goes into my children now.

 

I would want to know much more about the side effects before thinking more about trying this therapy, especially if it is to gain just a few inches.

 

Endo said that there are several databases of 60,000 or so cases using hormones. There are several good FDA approved drugs on the market and the side effects he mentioned were the possible worsening of scoliosis for those who already have it. He checked my son and his back is straight. He also mentioned temporary headaches. One side effect he mentioned that I did like was increase in appetite. I would welcome that in my son.

 

No cancer links either.

 

My son has been on Nutropen, a synthetic growth hormone, for the past 8 years. He has about a year left. No negative side effects. After a couple of weeks, the shots are no big deal, and very easy to administer. He does not produce very much growth hormone on his own (slowed down around the age of 6). He would have only hit around 4ft. 5 without it. He is now 5ft. 10, and will stop taking the growth hormone as soon as his growth platelets are closed (dr. says about another year).

It IS different for a man vs a woman to have height issues. Are the two inches going to make him go from being noticably short as an adult male? Anyone that tells you a man can have it easy in life being significantly short is a liar! There are barriers and unfair discrimination. And yes, I know, no one's life is easy, but it is an extra barrier.

Cathie

 

Thank you. That eases my mind if we choose to do this. Ds's levels are fine. Endo projected ds to be 5'4" TOPS without treatment. He's hoping to put ds at 5'6".

 

 

 

Have your son done the testing to see if he would benefit from or even qualify for growth hormone? Our dd (now 9) has had the blood test several times and also the longer one to check for certain spikes. She always comes back in the VERY low normal range. We tend to lean to the small stature side in our family too, but dd wasn't making the charts, and even now I'm not sure if we should keep pursuing it.

 

How does your son feel about his height/size? How does he feel about having to have shots every day?

 

It's tough to know what to do.

 

Ds's tests are normal so far but he is basically in his own size category. I was actually surprised that the endo recommended the treatment considering ds's results. He isn't ill or anything. Endo expressed a desire to get ds onto the chart and into the 10th percentile.

 

I'm 4'11" and feel pretty good about it. So if your dd ends up my size, it's not too bad.

 

My other two kids are small but I am not worried about them. They have meat on them.

 

DS is not keen on shots though I told him that it wouldn't be like get vaccinations every day.

[Cammie]

:lurk5: Thanks for posting this. I also have a son who is not on the charts. He is only 4 but for the last two years it was clear that he was going to be small. No issues detected from the docs we went to so I guess it is just genetic. At some point we may be faced with the growth hormone option as well.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Dh is 5'4". He has not had any problems with his height. He is Asian though so I don't know if people give men of other ethnicities a harder time.

 

Have they tested his growth hormone levels? You said he wasn't "under producing anything" so I assume that means his growth hormone levels are fine for his age? If so, personally, I would not mess with it.

[Liz CA]

He is oddly quiet about it. I've asked and he wasn't sure. He's not keen on daily shots but he would like to be taller.

 

This must be so hard for your ds. A huge decision for a young kid.

Have you shown him on the ruler how much two inches is? Would that make a difference to him? Perhaps you can even show on a wall how tall 5'4" is versus

5'6".

 

As far as hormones go, is there something that is bio-identical like it is available for estrogen/progesterone? At least it would be closer to what the body is manufacturing.

 

Whatever you and he decide, let him know that there were and are many great men who are short in stature. It's the greatness inside that makes a man stand tall.

[Ottakee]

We saw the endo and decided against growth hormones for our dd. She is now 14, almost 4'10" and done growing. I think it will be OK for her but ideally, another 2-3 inches would have really helped her---finding clothes, reaching things, etc.

 

That said, it is VERY different for a man. Being a short man really does stick out a lot more than a short woman. Depending on his goals/talents, it could affect his job opportunities as well.

 

Does he understand what type of shot it would be, how often, etc.?

 

You might consider a 2nd opinion just to see. I think that our endo said that with boys you could wait a bit longer--like 12 or so to decide.

[mysticamethyst]

We do the shots for my dd but ours our monthly not daily. If I had to do it again I would. No one is keen on getting shots, esspecially daily, but those few inches will be worth it when he older. After a while they are no big deal, my dd has another year left and we will be done, has been getting them since 3. In fact, today is shot day. I hope you are able to come to a decision that you all can feel cozy with. :grouphug:

[ciyates]

My Dh is 5'5 and is has not affected his career. He made it successfully through the ranks in the military (where being macho really is an issue). After he retired he began working another job and is making his way up the corporate ladder their as well.

 

I can't being to suggest what to do and am sure as a parent you will do your best for your child. :grouphug:

[staceyobu]

I think I would be more likely to do it for a boy than for a girl. I think it's a lot harder for short men. Good luck in making a decision. Sounds like a hard one to make.

[Mommyfaithe]

We saw the endo and decided against growth hormones for our dd. She is now 14, almost 4'10" and done growing. I think it will be OK for her but ideally, another 2-3 inches would have really helped her---finding clothes, reaching things, etc.

 

That said, it is VERY different for a man. Being a short man really does stick out a lot more than a short woman. Depending on his goals/talents, it could affect his job opportunities as well.

 

Does he understand what type of shot it would be, how often, etc.?

 

You might consider a 2nd opinion just to see. I think that our endo said that with boys you could wait a bit longer--like 12 or so to decide.

 

I was 4'11" until I was 21...then had a growth spurt and I am just under 5'2". I actually liked being tiny. I thought it was pretty :-) Now for a boy, I would think differently. My husband is 6'2" and I was hoping my boys would take after him. So far...1 son is 5' 11", one 5'8" and they seem to be finished growing...at 18 and 15...sigh. My dd's are 5'1 and 5' 4 at 23 and 20.

 

I know this is sexist, but I would go ahead with a boy to get him the height he is capable of reaching. Nothing crazy. I do see where my ds's esteem is effected even at 5'8". His sports ability is also somewhat hindered and that is important to him. It is hard to compete with boys who are over 6 ft. It would be impossible if here were under 5'5" and that is important to him too. I would hesitate longer for a dd and probably opt out unless she was going to be significantly shorter...like under 4'10.

 

~~Faithe

[Rosy]

DD4 is off the charts (on the short side) and had a year where her growth was flat. We went to the ped endocrinologist and they recommended testing to see if growth hormone would help. We decided to hold off because she was so young (3 at the time) and she's doing fine now...but we'll be watching her growth to see if she needs it in the future. For us they talked about doing a test that would stimulate the pituitary gland and see if she was producing growth hormone. Did they do that with your DS?

 

I have a friend whose son has been on it since he was 2 (I think). He wasn't making any growth hormone at all. He isn't a tall kid (neither are his parents) but he would have had serious health problems if he hadn't taken growth hormone. He is totally healthy and has had no side effects.

 

Only you can decide what is right for your DS...but many families have used it and their kids have not only been fine, but benefitted from it.

[MomtoCandJ]

my dh is 5' 3.5" hasn't had any problems, he's not Asian, just your average American melting pot. Dd is short for her age as well, so far anyways. I am 5' 3" so I just don't think she is going to be all that tall.

[Laura Corin]

He's been successful in business and has a happy family life. That said, he would have liked to have been a bit taller, likes the idea that Calvin is heading for over six feet and would like Hobbes to be a bit taller than his projected 5'7"

 

Laura

[Carrie12345]

I would absolutely look for a second opinion before making a decision either way.

 

I have no first-hand experience, but my husband's parents did consider growth hormones for him. The doctor predicted he would be under 5'6" without them (I don't remember the exact measurement, just that it would have been shorter than me in middle school ;)).

 

They decided against treatment and he is 5'10". Doctors are not gods, but multiple opinions may give you some piece of mind.

[i.love.lucy]

So long as you feel comfortable with the side effects and long term potential issues, I would do it.

 

My ds is 5.5 and is not on the charts. He was a preemie. He's noticeably small. But we are a giant family. I am 5'11", dh is 6'1", and my dd is quiet tall - always has been over 90th% for height. So for us it seems very obvious that he's small. We love him and his peanut-ness, but I will do everything I can to make sure he reaches his potential in all areas.

 

Mine has had the hand x-ray a few times, Unfortunately he also is about 7 on his. What this mean (to those who don't know) is that there most likely will not be a catch-up or spurt later. If he was bone age delayed, we could look for him to be a late bloomer. We have had blood checked a couple of times. He's on vit D right now and a med that increases appetite (it works) but I can't tell that it's helping his height. I think he's eating more but just burns more!:willy_nilly: We just had his blood drawn again right before Christmas and I have a call in to find out what we will do next. I assume the next step is the pituitary gland stim test.

 

Quite frankly I would be relieved if they said we should go ahead with the hormones. I would do hormones if his thyroid were malfunctioning, or if his testosterone were off. Why would I not do this for him?

[Mom-ninja.]

I personally would not ever give my kids growth hormones. My kids are healthy and normal. I'm healthy and normal and yet according to a chart I'm underweight.

 

I'm 5'1", my sister is 5'0", my mom is 4'10", and my dad is 5'6". We are doing just fine in life. :D

 

Oh, I wanted to add that my dad also retired from a long and succesful military career. He now runs the education department at a college. My brother is 5'5". He also was in the military without issues. He also has a good job, and is not marred in any way because he is short. My sister's husband is 5'3" and he's going to school for a PhD in math. No issues with his height being a problem.

Edited January 14, 2010 by Kleine Hexe

[Caribbean Queen]

My Dh claims to be 5"5 but I think he is really 5"2. He is muscular and in proportion. No one thinks he is a "little person" (please excuse my un PC statement here, but I need to clearify: I mean midget or dwarf) He is manly and being short doesn't bother him at all.

 

I do think a man under 5 feet would have a harder time.

[abbeyej]

You know, I have no idea what we would do... I've posted before about dd... She's nearly 8 and is the size of a small-ish 6yo. And I've wondered what I would do, in your position. (Our position is different. 1) Dd's bone age *does* match her growth -- or, at least, it did when we had the test done last. We had another xray yesterday, and haven't heard what it says yet. 2) She's a girl. And that does make a difference.)

 

The thought of using growth hormone scares me. It's a really big deal. But for a child who truly wasn't growing? And his bone age indicated he would stop growing without ever having a real adolescent growth spurt? For a *boy*? ... I would have to consider it long and hard.

 

Oh, btw... I assume they've test his iron levels? I was reading about a study (maybe ten years old) that looked at kids with delayed growth and merely boosting their iron levels made a difference... (It was an Italian study, I think... I can't find the link right now...) It seems like such a simple thing, and probably has been considered... But ...

 

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I sympathize with the choice. I know it's not something you can take lightly -- either way.

[newbie]

I personally would not ever give my kids growth hormones. My kids are healthy and normal. I'm healthy and normal and yet according to a chart I'm underweight.

 

I'm 5'1", my sister is 5'0", my mom is 4'10", and my dad is 5'6". We are doing just fine in life. :D

 

Oh, I wanted to add that my dad also retired from a long and succesful military career. He now runs the education department at a college. My brother is 5'5". He also was in the military without issues. He also has a good job, and is not marred in any way because he is short. My sister's husband is 5'3" and he's going to school for a PhD in math. No issues with his height being a problem.

 

:iagree::iagree:I was very little growing up, my mother had me in and out of dr. office all the time. The very last thing they decided was growth hormones. Fortunately mom said no.

 

They never thought I would reach 5 feet. At 18 I spurted and I am 5'4.

[LynnG in Arizona]

He's on vit D right now and a med that increases appetite (it works) but I can't tell that it's helping his height.

 

 

Sorry to go off topic here, but can I ask you which medicine your son takes to increase his appetite?

 

I have a peanut little girl who has little to no appetite. She literally looks like a concentration camp survivor when you see her without clothes on. :( We've had her worked up but can find nothing medically wrong. The doctors are, however, amenable to finding something to increase her appetite.

 

Thanks!!

[Danestress]

But if I were fully satisfied of the safety, I would consider those two inches worth something. Obviously I can't say what I would do, but I would try to help my son maximize his height if I could do so without health risk or substantial pain.

[5sons]

My brother was very small until 9th grade. He was always the smallest in the class. (Even smaller than the girls). My parents thought my brother would be very small. The Doctors all said so. In the 9th grade he grew 6 inches. He is now 6' tall.

 

Some people are just smaller. My husbands grandfather was 5'0. My hubby has always been small. He weighs 120 lbs. All of my boys are small. My oldest ds is 10 and the same size as ds 8 (who is small for his age).

 

So all this to say, if everything is functioning properly I don't see any reason to put chemicals into your ds body.

 

Just my opinion.

Kristen