Question about my daughter's large appetite

[iwrbnd]

Yes, she was 61 pounds at 7 years old which puts her right at 50th percentile which is actually perfect. She looks pretty good except her belly. She carries her weight in the middle and I have a hard time getting pants to fit her. I've got it under control now but I worry about her future when she doesn't have external limits put on her. I guess I'll just have to cross that bridge when/if it gets here. Maybe I'm over-reacting but people that are close to her don't think I am. Oh, well. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing which is healthy for our whole family anyway.

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

I know. I was surprised they didn't even take blood to check. I went to the best pediatric endo in the area (at Children's hospital) so maybe I'm just bonkers!

There is something wrong there. He thinks she might have insulin issues, but didn’t check? He didn’t try checking her thyroid or anything? Wow. I would not consider that a good doctor. If he is the “best pediatric endocrinologist in the area” then go to a different area!

A good doctor listens to concerns and checks them. It sounds like this doctor ignored them and went with his own inaccurate diagnosis (over-worried parent). I have had many doctors like this, so I know the consequences of not getting a second third and fourth opinion. You know something is not right, find a doctor who will listen.

Good luck.

 

[Wishing on a star]

You need a different Doctor.....

We recently went to what we thought was 'the best specialist' for an evaluation for our son, and decided right away that we would not be returning.... He didn't seem to care at all about my son.... Just wanted to charge a small fortune to tell us he would not do anything until we had a 'referral' from our Family Dr.... (We are not on an HMO, we had asked beforehand what was necessary to get things rolling... We already had a PreAuth.... Nothing but a scam.....)

It does happen....

You need a doctor who cares enough to run some basic tests...

 

[honugirl]

As someone who's dealt with multiple endocrinologists, let me be the first to say... most of them are complete nut jobs. Endocrinology either picks up the really brainy weirdos or the ones that couldn't get their first choice of residency so they end up there 'cause there's always openings. Sigh. So... knowing that, you have to really shop around for a good one. I live in Washington state, but my endo is in California.

What you said about her carrying her weight in the middle, plus the appetite thing really makes me think you need to get to someone who's dealt with adrenal/pituitary disease. I carry all my weight around the middle but have no rear end so I can't find any pants that fit. My belly is huge but my arms and legs are on the normal to skinny side and really don't match my weight.

 

[madcam]

Don't know if this will be helpful but I was watching Dr.Phil rolleyes last week and there was a couple on there with a daughter who had some of the same issues. It turned out that she had an insulin problem. I can't remember well enough to describe it but it sounds alot like what you are describing. Maybe you could check into it.....at least just to rule it out. Good Luck!!

 

[iwrbnd]

I'm confused because on the one hand I felt a little embarrassed that I'm a crazy parent but then he seemed to have some concerns. He was teaching a resident and pointed out darkening knuckles on my daughter's hand, elbows and something about the back of her neck and a line on her belly (like a "pregnancy line") and said "These are mild but can be signs of high insulin." and then he told me the same thing but said he's not worried. I guess I shouldn't be worried either then?

 

[Wishing on a star]

You should continue to be worried about your child ( as ANY parent would be ) until you see some simple basic test results that show 'nothing to worry about'.....

As far as I am concerned, with your concerns, your child's history, the symptoms, the visual physical signs noticed, etc... to not run some basic tests seems like negligence/malpractice.

 

[iwrbnd]

As someone who's dealt with multiple endocrinologists, let me be the first to say... most of them are complete nut jobs. Endocrinology either picks up the really brainy weirdos or the ones that couldn't get their first choice of residency so they end up there 'cause there's always openings. Sigh. So... knowing that, you have to really shop around for a good one. I live in Washington state, but my endo is in California.

What you said about her carrying her weight in the middle, plus the appetite thing really makes me think you need to get to someone who's dealt with adrenal/pituitary disease. I carry all my weight around the middle but have no rear end so I can't find any pants that fit. My belly is huge but my arms and legs are on the normal to skinny side and really don't match my weight.

You describe your body like my daughters! I think that's why she can have such a large belly and still be normal on the growth chart...her arms and legs are very thin! It's her belly! This is frustrating! I don't know how much to push and be the crazy mother and how much to just wait and watch!

 

[curious3069]

You know, some of your daughter's symptoms are really similar to polycystic ovary syndrome. She's really young, but might be something to question.

Keep digging!!! I think your instincts are right on the mark that something is just not right. Maybe whatever it is is under control for now, but it would be good to know exactly what you might need to watch for in the future.

 

[iwrbnd]

You know, some of your daughter's symptoms are really similar to polycystic ovary syndrome. She's really young, but might be something to question.

Keep digging!!! I think your instincts are right on the mark that something is just not right. Maybe whatever it is is under control for now, but it would be good to know exactly what you might need to watch for in the future.

Interesting you say that because I have PCOS! I've had it since I was a teen but is controlled now. I told the endo that but it didn't make much of an impression. I am not the typical PCOS patient, though. Although my endo said my blood work was some of the highest levels he's seen my major symptom was just acne.

I wondered if she was getting pcos, too!

 

[honugirl]

I'm confused because on the one hand I felt a little embarrassed that I'm a crazy parent but then he seemed to have some concerns. He was teaching a resident and pointed out darkening knuckles on my daughter's hand, elbows and something about the back of her neck and a line on her belly (like a "pregnancy line") and said "These are mild but can be signs of high insulin." and then he told me the same thing but said he's not worried. I guess I shouldn't be worried either then?

The darkening of the knuckles can be part of adrenal disease. One of the symptoms of CAH (congenital adrenal hyperplasia) is darkening of the skin on the knuckles. The elbows and back of the neck can be insulin related. Does the line on her belly change colors? Maybe from pink to red or purple?

You describe your body like my daughters! I think that's why she can have such a large belly and still be normal on the growth chart...her arms and legs are very thin! It's her belly! This is frustrating! I don't know how much to push and be the crazy mother and how much to just wait and watch!

My pants are like a size 12 but I'll wear like an 18 or a 3x on top. Sometimes I bloat up enough that I look pregnant. It's very round and sticks out. I've even shopped for maternity pants before because they fit better.

You need to push. Go with your gut. Push until you find someone who can help.

 

[buckler]

I'm embarrassed to even admit it but my husband is a doctor! I know I should have all the answers, right? Well, he is concerned (which is why I went to an endocrinologist) but he's not a god with all the answers. He works so much that he's not home to see the day to day struggle and he's too busy to even see straight sometimes. I do hear him tell her "You're done eating" and "that's enough" so I know he's concerned. Mostly he just leaves it up to me. That's why I'm branching out to my internet disfriends! Maybe I should just go back to the endocrinologist and say I want more than a diabetes workup!

Tell your doctor husband that the Dis moms want him to get involved in figuring this out

 

[iwrbnd]

Thanks disfriends for helping me not second guess myself! My husband is out of town and I'm going to make him get serious when he gets back. He doesn't want anything to be wrong with his only daughter (neither do I) and he is also very conservative and will "wait and watch" much longer than I will. I'm going to give him a good kick in the rear when he gets home! Maybe I should go with my gut a little longer!

Speaking of going with my gut...I watched my niece's adam's apple get larger and larger over the past 2 years. I was concerned but nobody else was. Finally I told my sister-in-law that I just didn't think it was normal and to please check it out. Well the doctor called last night and the test showed a solid mass! They think it's cancer and she's scheduled for surgery next week! I'm so glad I said something but I also remember thinking I should let it go because nobody else was concerned. It's so hard sometimes knowing when to make a fuss about something. I'm not normally an overly worried parent either. I've got too many kids to worry about every little thing!

 

[laurie31]

You're not making a big deal out of nothing. That voice inside of you that's telling you something isn't right is speaking up for a reason. I actually read your update earlier, and confess I was so furious at the doctor that I was speechless. He found signs of high insulin levels that warranted a teaching opportunity for his student, but he didn't bother CHECKING them??? I'm sorry, but I don't understand that. I don't accept it, and you shouldn't either. Find another endo first thing on Monday morning.

 

[buckler]

Have your husband go with you for the next appointment. A doctor is going to be a lot more proactive with a doctor/father in the room.

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

You're not making a big deal out of nothing. That voice inside of you that's telling you something isn't right is speaking up for a reason. I actually read your update earlier, and confess I was so furious at the doctor that I was speechless. He found signs of high insulin levels that warranted a teaching opportunity for his student, but he didn't bother CHECKING them??? I'm sorry, but I don't understand that. I don't accept it, and you shouldn't either. Find another endo first thing on Monday morning.

I agree.

In my opinion, it almost sounds like he was bragging/showing off to the resident (with his knowledge) but didn’t want to come off as looking “stupid” in case he wasn’t right, so he didn’t take blood/ run tests. As Laurie said, if it was important enough to point out to the resident, it should definitely be important enough to test!

I agree with the other posters, you should see another doctor.

 

[iwrbnd]

I called my husband tonight (he's out of town) and he was surprised and dissapointed that no blood work was drawn. He said he would draw blood when he got back in town. He doesn't like to treat his own kids so has stayed pretty much "hands off" but he can at least get some insulin levels. What is frustrating is I wanted even more checked than that like cortisol and hormones which gets into the endocrinology field. My husband is family practice and is very knowledgable but since it's his daughter and quite involved I was hoping for someone else to check itl Oh, well. I'll keep you all updated! Thanks for your thoughts and concerns!

(The doc really was nice and seemed to know what he was talking about so it may be me that's wrong here!)

 

[lisaviolet]

(The doc really was nice and seemed to know what he was talking about so it may be me that's wrong here!)

Stop it.

You don't have these thoughts for nothing. It's not normal all these signs. And besides the physical evidence - you have your intuition. And doctors are not God. They can and do make major errors. Even nice ones - big wink. So believe in yourself and keep going. Keep going until you feel satisfied with an answer that makes sense in your head and in your GUT. And maybe you need to quiet the "nice" in you when you go to the doctor's office. Sometimes women have to be a little more direct and firm. No dis to you with that last sentence - really - obviously I wasn't there but I have to remind myself at times that sometimes very firm is needed with some people.

I'm so sorry about your niece.

All the best to you and your family.

 

[iwrbnd]

Stop it.

You don't have these thoughts for nothing. It's not normal all these signs. And besides the physical evidence - you have your intuition. And doctors are not God. They can and do make major errors. Even nice ones - big wink. So believe in yourself and keep going. Keep going until you feel satisfied with an answer that makes sense in your head and in your GUT. And maybe you need to quiet the "nice" in you when you go to the doctor's office. Sometimes women have to be a little more direct and firm. No dis to you with that last sentence - really - obviously I wasn't there but I have to remind myself at times that sometimes very firm is needed with some people.

I'm so sorry about your niece.

All the best to you and your family.

Ha, ha! Thanks, I needed a good slap in the face!

 

[IDoDis]

Well, she is not overweight. My DD weighed more than that when she was 7. She still had baby fat up until around the age of 10. Then she really stretched and thinned out. She's almost 14 now and is a beautiful figure skater with lots of lean muscle. The belly went away when she got her growth spurt at puberty.

If the blood work doesn't show problems, try not to get worked up by it, especially around her because the last thing you want her to have when she's a teen is an eating disorder by thinking she's fat. Not saying you are doing that by any means. She's right in the middle which is perfect.