Dr. wants to place my 3 yr. old on growth hormones...has anyone done this?

Rajiv - posted on 03/09/2013

i am 19th year old and my height is 5.2inch so,do you ask me to my height 8inch growth...
please send me sms now...

Leslie - posted on 02/12/2013

My son was born at a normal weight but by time he was 6 mos. he only weighed 10 lbs. The doctor went crazy and did every test possible even sent us to a heart specialist. Everything came back normal. For about 4 years we had to do monthly weight checks. To this day he is 12 years old and only weighs 60 lbs. Whereas most of his friends are what I call amazons. It bothers him to be the smallest but we keep telling him he will grow. The doctor mentioned growth hormones one time but didn't encourage it. Sometimes I wonder if it would make a difference. But don't want to put him on anything that isn't necessary. It's worse for boys because they expect them to be bigger than girls. My niece followed the same growth pattern but wasn't put thru the same thing as my son. He's AB honor roll and very active in sports. His only problem is he doesn't like food. He eats the same things over and over and still drinks milk with instant carnation breakfast. The doctor told us several years ago to feed him whatever whenever. So I would definitely get a second opinion.

Amanda - posted on 02/12/2013

My son is 12 and has always been below the 10th percentile (his father and I are short, too, at 5'9" and 5'1"). He has had the same pedi for most of his life. She says as long as he continues to grow at a consistent rate, he should be fine. He is one of the smallest in 7th grade, but he is almost as tall as me now!

Brenda - posted on 02/12/2013

My daughter is 13 now and she started growth hormone when she was 5 cause her body didn't produce growth hormone due to she has a cyst in front of her putaratory gland. I think that you should get the test that she needs and then decide. My daughter is growing and doing very good. Hope this helps you make your decision.

Kathy - posted on 05/22/2010

My son was the same as your daughter at that age. Tiny little thing. People would stop and ask how old he was because they couldn't beleive such a little thing was talking like he was. He could walk under tables without bumping his head. LOL The summer between his 3rd and 4th birthday he hit a growth spurt and went from 24month clothes to 4T/5T. If your daughter is healthy, happy, learning as she should, then tell your doctor to back off. Some kids are just little. Some kids take longer to hit growth spurts. Each child is unique. If she starts to lag behind other kids her age in learning, then get concerned. In the meantime, enjoy your little bundle of spunk!

Laura - posted on 05/22/2010

You need to make and informed decision and without all the information it would be difficult to do that. Getting some simple blood tests can answer many questions and help you make an informed decision. If she needs the growth hormone, then the tests will indicate that. She should see a specialist who works with children who require such medical intervention...an endocrinologist. Your pediatrician would not be the person to prescribe growth hormone.

Janet - posted on 05/22/2010

My daughter is 5 and, when she was 3, I felt the same way. We had some tests and it was quite traumatic, but the consultant decided to wait a while as, like your daughter, she was fit, well, bright etc. But now she is REALLY struggling at school - she's not only tiny, but her muscles are very weak - she can't open the doors there, turn taps, squeeze soap etc and her (new) consultant says it's because she didn't start the hormones sooner. She gets a lot of nasty infections too. She's still fine in the brain dept tho! So now I am leaning towards the hormones... I'd say if it's just size, that's one thing but if it affects her in other ways, do be aware that there is more to growth hormone than size!

Christel - posted on 05/21/2010

I have had 6 children and none of the doctors told be that child was underweight it was always the quite oppsite they way over weight! If I was you I would get a second opinion! I would also ask why the doctor would even sugest growth hormones! one of friends daughter was very underweight the doctor wanted her to drink milkshakes he never said anything about growth hormones! I would very careful!

Keri - posted on 05/20/2010

I agree. I would get a second opinion, but I would also not worry about it too much about her height and weight if she is growing at a normal rate. You could try some other test before going the route of growth hormones. Good luck.

Ashley=) - posted on 05/20/2010

I would want reason's as to why he feels growth hormones are needed.I am sure you have asked as your the mom and i am sure what ever you decide is whats best for your child.:-)

April - posted on 05/20/2010

Well I have some different advice then most. First has she been tested for turnersyndrome? Being small and earaches are actually one of the signs. my sister has turnersyndrome and was given growth hormones till she was 18 and she has turned out just fine. If it had not been for the growth hormones she would be smaller than she is now and she is only 4ft 8in. So before you just say NO to anything I would have test done to make sure there is not a problem. Turners can be very serious several people have died fairly young do to this disorder it also cause heart problems that may not be detected until they are older.

Ashley=) - posted on 05/20/2010

Sounds mad to me to do that.I am 25 years old ,i am 7stone 10lbs(108lbs i think).I am 4foot 11 and i have been small since i came into the world.I am naturally small and there's nothing wrong with that.I have on an occasion bought a top,,trousers or shoes from the teen section,i fit a 12-13 age group.lol.I have seen small woman my height but i mean my hands and features are tiny compared to them.I am told i look 16 all the time,people are shocked to find out my age and i have two kids lol.



Your daughter sounds just perfect just how shes meant to be, just that she is petite.



My first daughter is nearly 4foot at five years old and shes always been adverage growing up except for height.My second was small in height shes 1&half and just turned 76cm.She had her growth spurt from the age of 12mths.She still fits clothes from 6mths anywhere to 12mths(from 9mths clothes she still has a good bit of room)

Heather - posted on 05/20/2010

Get a second opinion. My son is four and a half and only weighs like 35 pounds; my three year old daughter (just turned) weighs 31 pounds, and I have a feeling that if it wasn't for an illness she had around her first birthday, she'd weigh more than him right now. Good luck.

Joan - posted on 05/19/2010

is her father a small man? both of my kids were small i don't know if they even hit the growth chart when they were babies.my husband is 5ft2"i'm only 4ft 10".the dr said he would take special note of that.how is the height up and down both sides of the family?all things to be considered. my son is now about 5ft 7" and my daughter is 4ft 9".go to another dr for a second opinion.my pedi always watched my kids own growth curve as long as there were no big drops he left things alone.

Kristin - posted on 05/19/2010

See another doctor. If it helps everyone settle down, run the tests. you do not have to start growth hormones.

Mallery-Clare - posted on 05/19/2010

Fair enough in your situation Laura, in hindsight it would have been a good idea. Erin says she was the same as a child, always small and she's not worried so I don't think there is any need for this treatment unless testing idicates there is.

Laura - posted on 05/19/2010

When I was little my doctor wanted to do this and my mom said no. I'm 30 in June and only 4 ft. 9 in. and I hate it. I wish my mom said yes to it, most 10 year old girls are my size and I feel imbarssed most of the time and wear big shoes to hide how short I am. I no a lot of people are short and it's ok but I really wish I'd at least made 5 ft wear it's more of a normal women size. My goal growing up was 5 ft 3 in. never made 5 ft. =( So I say it's something to think about. I would do it for my children if the doctor suggested it.

Mallery-Clare - posted on 05/19/2010

DONT DO IT! She probably takes after you and if her educational level is at the right point (or above) then whats the point? bulking her up and forcing her body to grow could be very uncomfortable for her and put her in undue stress just to keep a doctor happy.
Maybe test her incase it is a gene-related thing to keep the doctor happy but do not give your child growth hormones if you have no concerns about her.

My daughter is 17.4kg at 2 (27months) and she's a large child, tall too, but so was I so i'm not worried. I'd be offended if the doctor told me to feed her less cos shes well above the growth charts.

Amanda - posted on 05/19/2010

My daughter just had her one year checkup and the doctor said that her weight is lower than what it should be. She wasn't overly worried but I started looking around the internet when I got home and found alternative weight charts to what doctors use. Including weight - height charts as opposed to the usual weight - age charts. There's a few of them here http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/clinical... they might make you feel better. I would definatetly get another opinion, preferably from a specialist before starting something like growth hormones, especially in a little girl.

Niyati - posted on 05/19/2010

i have the same issue with my child's endrocronologist. She directly put my son on GH even w/o blood test and only based on bone age which is 3 yrs behind this actual age. My son is developmentally delayed but he is progressing great and I have no regrets with his development as long as he is moving forward at his pace. I have tried GH when he was 3 yrs for few months which did help him to eat much more and ultimately gain weight and height. I have however stopped them due to cost since last 4 yrs. The only immediate side effect i noticed while he was on GH was irritability due to constant hunger :)
Right now at age 7, he is still way under chart. but seriously i dont care as he is moving up on chart slowly and gradually. I would personally try everything else than GH injections . for ex something herbal or more physical exercises, or more nutritional intake aka double than what a normal kid would eat and also small meal portions but more frequently.. things like that. also my best bet would be to see a Nutritional Specialist.
Hope all this helps. Feel free to ask for more tips.

Laura - posted on 05/19/2010

it doesnt hurt to get a second opinion.. but i wouldnt think it would be necessary, if you're all smaller in stature thats just the way she is too..she sounds very normal and healthy to me

JuLeah - posted on 05/19/2010

I'd get a second or even 3rd opinion. They use different growth charts for folks from different races. You maybe have, somewhere in your genetic line, kin that are Asian? The growth chart use for kids of Asian decent is different.

That may or may not be the issue. I am just saying that, just because she is small, does not mean there is something wrong.

Sometimes, being at the bottom of the growth chart CAN indicate additional problems, but I have never heard of forcing growth to fix anything but height.

She seems developmentally normal. If you were very small, I don't think I'd worry.

If you are concernd, have her tested, and check for food allergies, but having her tested does not mean you have to put her on meds.

Iridescent - posted on 05/19/2010

I'd get a second opinion of those are the only reasons he wants to put her on growth hormones. The only people that should be on them are those that are lacking; has this ever even been tested? You didn't refer to it.

Jodi - posted on 05/19/2010

I guess it depends on where she has been on the charts all along. I mean, has she always been small? I'll be honest, my daughter was about that weight at age 3, but she was born below the 3rd percentile line too. She is now 5 and STILL the smallest in her age group. I'm not worried. She was born that way, and has always been that way. So I would say that if she has been growing at the same rate all her life, she is probably just meant to be small :) Definitely seek a second opinion. Growth hormones come with side effects, I wouldn't do it.

Jodi - posted on 05/19/2010

Also, my daughter was in and still is in the 5th percentile for size and weight. As long as she's growing at a consistent rate for her, get her tested(simple tests) and have the peace of mind.

Jodi - posted on 05/19/2010

I have a very small 13 year old. A couple years ago we had her tested for a thryroid problem and a chromosome defect-simple blood tests. She was negative for both. We also had an x-ray taken of her hand to check her bone growth and discovered her bone age is two years behind her chronological age. Yes, she's small and will be a short woman(like me), but will grow for two years after others stop. She has come to embrace her small stature. I'm 5'1" and married a man who is 6'2" and never notice the difference until someone pints it out. Size is in the attitude. As long as there is no medical reason for it, I wouldn't do growth hormone. I've heard they can lead to premature puberty,however if she does have the disorder where she doesn't produce enough, then she'll need it.

Susanne - posted on 05/19/2010

She's a child for goodness sakes. Some are large and some are tiny. I would get a second opinion. Don't take 1 persons opinion to change a perfectly normal little girl and make her into what someone may think is the perfect human being. Hormones have been known to have cancer risks. My vote would be to don't do it. Enjoy her!

Kate CP - posted on 05/19/2010

Wow! Uhh, yea, I would get a second opinion. There's nothing wrong with being little.

Phyllis - posted on 05/19/2010

I would get a second opinion before making that decision.

Rachel - posted on 05/19/2010

i would not do the growth hormones if you arent comfortable with them and if she is healthy dont do it