Growth hormones? Anyone? DD12 short w/ early period

[scottmel]

I really never thought I would be considering this and not sure I am. DD12 just started her period WAY sooner than her pediatrician predicted. DD is asian and rather petite (57 inches at 12 years and around 70 pounds). DD's fear is she will stop growing soon and it seems like there are mixed reports on this. Some continue to grow, some stop, etc. So I am not sure which is the "rule of thumb". She had a wrist xray done last night to see if growth plated fused shut yet and we don't know the results but I did make an appt with a very good ped. endocrinologist. Anyone ever go this route of growth hormones? Anyone NOT go and things worked out just fine? Thank you!

 

[WDW Traveler]

Sorry, I think I was supposed to "quote" your post and forgot. So here is the OP's post:

Growth hormones? Anyone? DD12 short w/ early period

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I really never thought I would be considering this and not sure I am. DD12 just started her period WAY sooner than her pediatrician predicted. DD is asian and rather petite (57 inches at 12 years and around 70 pounds). DD's fear is she will stop growing soon and it seems like there are mixed reports on this. Some continue to grow, some stop, etc. So I am not sure which is the "rule of thumb". She had a wrist xray done last night to see if growth plated fused shut yet and we don't know the results but I did make an appt with a very good ped. endocrinologist. Anyone ever go this route of growth hormones? Anyone NOT go and things worked out just fine? Thank you!


My DD is also 12 and is about 58 inches tall. A bit heavier than your DD at 85 pounds, and she started her period over a year ago. She has grown 7 inches in the past two years alone and I'm guessing she isn't going to grow too much more. I myself am only 61 inches tall, so I don't think DD is that far off and if she stops there, so be it. I personally wouldn't worry about it. Everyone is different and there isn't an ideal height/weight for everyone and every age.

 

[scottmel]

Please understand I could CARE LESS about her height but it really bugs at her and she was quite upset with her period arriving b/c she remembered the Dr. telling her the growth would slow down. Can you recall the height your DD grew AFTER her period? thank you!

 

[mommasita]

DD12 is also very small. No period yet. She went through hormone tests due to them finding a goiter on the thyroid, xrays for her bones. Thankfully everything was fine in the thyroid. However, her bones measure 8-9 years old, and the Ped thinks it will even out, and she will be 3 years behind in growth/puberty. I was the same way. Except I did take Growth Hormones. I dealt with many issues through life. I am 41, so this is a while back. I would never go that route, but that was from my experience.

The Ped did say once she did reach puberty the growth is only approx. 1 inch after. It is not rocket science, but this is the average.

 

[scottmel]

See I think your DD12 showing bone size of 9 year old is better than being say 16 years old. That is my fear. my DD12 wll have an OLDER bone age thus signaling very little growth left...I kick myself b/c while she is a DECENT eater (she loves meat, fruit, etc) not much of a calcium girl over the years. She goes in spurts where she drinks more chocolate milk thanyou can imagine and eats yougart, etc. but then we slack on vitamens. I fear this could have made her more petite than we would have liked. Though I then argue I HATED milk as a child and never ever drank it and I am 5'9 (female) soo....you just don't know I guess...I have read some really positive things on HGH for KIDS/prior to bone fusion....but wouldn't consider it or anythign else if her bones already fused...

 

[WDW Traveler]

Please understand I could CARE LESS about her height but it really bugs at her and she was quite upset with her period arriving b/c she remembered the Dr. telling her the growth would slow down. Can you recall the height your DD grew AFTER her period? thank you!

She grew about 3 inches the year after she started her period (age 11-12). The year before it was 4 inches (age 10-11). My DD insists she is going to be taller than me, but I'm thinking not so much. I'm thinking she MAY grow a couple more inches, but that is probably it. I would tell your DD that as long as she is healthy, her height doesn't matter. She is beautiful no matter how tall she is!!

 

[scottmel]

Thanks Gail!

 

[Tinks1984]

I don't know how much comfort this will give to your DD, but I'm 27 now and I'm only 4'10" (58 inches). I've never come to any harm whatsoever at this height, there's nothing bad (in my view) about being smaller. I've never really been teased about it, sure, my close friends have affectionate names for me, but that never ever has bothered me at all.

I began my periods at age 11, but I couldn't tell you what height I was at that age. Sure, I was shocked to have a period at age 11, but you do get used to it and all's been fine with me.

I don't know if you're aware of the saying over in the US, but my Mom has always said to me 'Good things come in little packages' and it's always made me smile

 

[scottmel]

Thanks Rachel for the kind reply. I appreciate it. We have a specialist appt. tomorrow morning and apparently her height can be predicted down to the inch. I am fine with it, she is just the super sensitive one. But I do remind her Asia is known for many wonderful things but tall people are just not one of them! I will share your story with her....She is at that akward age you know? thanks again.

 

[minkydog]

My DD18 started her periods at 10-1/2 and I'm pretty sure she was about the same size as your daughter. The good news is she didn't stop growing! She is 5'4". She reached that height at about 9th grade, so 14 maybe? Most of the women on my side of the family are short, in the 5'3" range like me, so she didn't stand a chance. Hope this helps.