Growth hormone injections

I am a big advocate of 2nd opinions. If you don't feel comfortable with one specialist see another of the same time for a 2nd opinion.

I am also a big advocate of running everything by your pediatrician. My son's Endocrinologist just about had a heart attack when another specialist gave him a hormone injection to prepare him for surgery. It was then a juggle between what different specialists wanted. After talking to all three doctors (including the pediatrician), and researching online, I decided to refuse the 2 follow up injections because I felt the risks out weighed the benefits of doing the surgery sooner.

Granted its not the exact same situation as yours but what I would like to impart to you is that its ultimately your decision so ask for advice from doctors and search online.

Another thing to consider, from your post you say that your daughter is following the growth chart slowly. If by that you mean she is paralleling it but never touches it then according to my son's pediatrician she is growing well. My son's pediatrician was much less concerned about how big he was as she was about how he was growing.

My son is 12 and has been on Humatrope injections nightly since he was 5. Althought he wasn't a preemie he came into this world at 21 inches and 6 pounds 8 ounces. But fell off the growth chart by 4 months. At 10 months our doctor suggested that at a year we start testing. He had a fairly active appetite.

Due to my husband's job and an overseas move we had to wait for preauthorization to start testing and despite his new doctor's concern over his growth it took us two years before we had answers.

First he had a bone age done at close to 5 years he had a bone age of a 2 1/2 yo and was actually wearing a 3T. So we did a 3 hour blood test of GH to see his levels. The first hour he had slight traces of it in his blood at the 3rd hour he had no noticeable levels. His pituatary gland does not produce normal levels of HGH. I forgot off hand the medical term of his condition and even if I could recall I'm sure I wouldn't even come close to spelling it correctly.

I also would suggest getting a second opinion done. And not to worry you but I also wouldn't just put your child on GH without researching it. Not that I'm saying you will. The list of cons and side effects are large. But we still chose therapy over letting nature take it's course. For us it has been a God send. I have several friends that also have kids on hormone injections and know another who chose not to do it. I guess I'm saying in a not so direct way is that it's a long term solution and just be aware of what it all entails. We got 4 times a year for blood work, Xrays and growth studies. We also fight our insurance company once a year to pay for his meds that run over 1000 a month.

Good luck and remember as parents we do what we feel is best for our kids. Don't let anyone tell you what your doing is wrong. Cause NOONE loves your child the way you do.