GH and adolescents: Can it help too short boys & how?

[anyman]

Hello, all-

I have a 13 year old nephew who is unusually short (pretty much the shortest kid in his class), who is rather troubled by his stature, or rather the lack thereof. His mom has had his GH tested & tells me it is "very low normal". Of course, I sense the same "You're in range" BS many of us deal with with our respective hormonal issues. The kid is shorter than my 10 year old daughter, yet he is in "normal" range. Utter nonsense, but that's traditional medicine for you.

Can GH help? Is is advisable? What kind & how? Are any of the newer & more affordable GH therapies I've read here applicable?

Thanks to all in advance

[researchin]

Hello, all-

I have a 13 year old nephew who is unusually short (pretty much the shortest kid in his class), who is rather troubled by his stature, or rather the lack thereof. His mom has had his GH tested & tells me it is "very low normal". Of course, I sense the same "You're in range" BS many of us deal with with our respective hormonal issues. The kid is shorter than my 10 year old daughter, yet he is in "normal" range. Utter nonsense, but that's traditional medicine for you.

Can GH help? Is is advisable? What kind & how? Are any of the newer & more affordable GH therapies I've read here applicable?

Thanks to all in advance


Tough call on whether to even consider hormone replacement.

I went from being the shortest and fattest kid in highschool, to being one of the tallest, leanest and strongest(took a few years, but happened while still in highschool).

I've seen this happen to many kids. I don't think anyone knows when their growth spurt will "unlock". For some kids, they reach max height and size by 9 years old.

[BigJimcalhoun]

We know a family who's son is undergoing Growth Hormone Treatments. The boy is 9 years old and he my six year old son is taller than him. I don't know any of the specifics except that it is genatropin stuff (sp?)

[chilln]

Hello, all-

I have a 13 year old nephew who is unusually short (pretty much the shortest kid in his class), who is rather troubled by his stature, or rather the lack thereof. His mom has had his GH tested & tells me it is "very low normal". Of course, I sense the same "You're in range" BS many of us deal with with our respective hormonal issues. The kid is shorter than my 10 year old daughter, yet he is in "normal" range. Utter nonsense, but that's traditional medicine for you.

Can GH help? Is is advisable? What kind & how? Are any of the newer & more affordable GH therapies I've read here applicable?

Thanks to all in advance


If the young lad really has a gene defect, or a not-fully-developed hypothalamus or pituitary, then all bets are off regarding whether the GH releasers will work.

At least we do know that recombinant GH will definitely work, even if there is a gene defect, or a not-fully-developed hypothalamus or pituitary.

But I believe that you were looking to the lower cost GH releasers, when you posed this question.

[cpeil2]

Hello, all-

I have a 13 year old nephew who is unusually short (pretty much the shortest kid in his class), who is rather troubled by his stature, or rather the lack thereof. His mom has had his GH tested & tells me it is "very low normal". Of course, I sense the same "You're in range" BS many of us deal with with our respective hormonal issues. The kid is shorter than my 10 year old daughter, yet he is in "normal" range. Utter nonsense, but that's traditional medicine for you.

Can GH help? Is is advisable? What kind & how? Are any of the newer & more affordable GH therapies I've read here applicable?

Thanks to all in advance


I have read that treating short-stature children with rHGH has become pretty common. It doesn't work miracles but it can add 3 inches or so to the kid's adult height.

[anyman]

I am not particularly familiar with this issue & appreciate the comments of all.



If the young lad really has a gene defect, or a not-fully-developed hypothalamus or pituitary, then all bets are off regarding whether the GH releasers will work.

He has seen various doctors over the last 6-7 years. I do not know how extensive the testing has been, but I suspect they've done a bit.

At least we do know that recombinant GH will definitely work, even if there is a gene defect, or a not-fully-developed hypothalamus or pituitary.

But I believe that you were looking to the lower cost GH releasers, when you posed this question.

Your answer prompted more questions. Do I assume correctly that there are in fact TWO kinds of GH? One is the actual GH & the other some sort of releasing agent? Sounds interesting. Do I further assume correctly that the "cheaper" kind won't necessarily work?