Childrens Endocrinology

I have never had to take my children to an endocrinologist, but I see one regularly for my thyroid (too high). When it gets too high, I start to drop weight as well. It is a simple blood test(easy to say whith a 16 month old, I know). Both of my boys have had to have blood tests for thyroid as recently as last summer. I am curious why the referral right away. A thyroid test is a simple blood draw and a glucose screen is very easy as well. Is it something your son could have done in the clinic he is comfortable with, then follow up with a endocrinologist if necessary?

Hi, B....

I have a 15 month old who has always been in the 1-3% or lower in size (weight, length, head). He is incredibly active and developmentally right on track, and the doctors think simply small. He had a complete workup at 4 months--blood tests (they just took a little blood and ran all the tests from that) and a sweat test. It was reassuring to know that there was nothing wrong in those categories. Now at 15 months, endocrine has his files. They are looking them over, and we will probably see them at Children's in the next couple of months. We have all agreed with the ped that it's wise just to check out things and be sure. Then, if there is something, like thyroid involved, it's a simple solution. If nothing shows up, we can rest even easier that he's just going to be little :) but is healthy. I know that it can seems scary when it is our little ones, but the docs and endocrine really do just want their best and are there to help you. I'm sure that they would be happy to explain any procedures to you to help set your mind at ease. When I pray for James (our little guy) to grow and be healthy, I'll say a prayer for your Taten too :)

Blessings,
V.

I don't know what they do for children, but I see an Endocrinologist several times a year for my thyroid. It is not at all painful, they just take a blood sample. If they are seeing him for something other than thyroid the tests might be different. I would get it checked, if I were you, it doesn't harm your child and it might make all the difference.
T.

I would go. He could have juvenile diabetes or something that's undected right now. Just be upfront when you get there your not wanting alot of painful testing done or anything.

They will probably just take some blood and that will be it. Trust me, it'll be harder on you than it is on him.
Sometimes Grandparents have a hard time understanding modern medicine because back in the day they couldn't do much for kids besides wait and see. Now they can be more proactive and it's great because you'd rather fix something now than have to play catch up later. He may just have a growth hormone problem.
Best Wishes,
J.

Hi B.,

This is one of those times that I would definitely agree with you and the doc over your mother. While you certainly can get a second opinion before going to the endo, if the doc sees the weight loss your describing then it will probably come out with the same result - referral. The reason I say that is because your doc is probably erring on the side of caution and trying to rule out any medical reasons for your son's weight loss, especially since there are no other issues.

My sister sees an endocrinologist regularly since she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 9. Going to her appointments with my mom when we were kids are about my only exposure to them.

They will probably get some blood and collect urine some how, and what I would do when you schedule the appointment is ask to talk to one of the nurses. Although the nurse hasn't seen your son's chart, if you describe the reasons for your referral I'm she he/she will be able to tell you how they handle the collection process for young children, and what the appointment will be like. Children's Specialty Healthcare automatically sends this info to you in the mail when they send you the new patient packet.

When my son had to see a orthopedist and get x-rays of his spine, I did exactly what I am suggesting to you, and they were very helpful. They also let me talk to one of the x-ray techs because I was concerned about getting how they could get accurate x-rays of a squirmy baby.

On a side note, I am a nutrition major at the U of M right now, and we are going over life cycle nutrition - covering the toddler ages. The general rule is that weight loss is not a good thing. Although Sharon talked about how her child changed percentiles on the growth chart, a change in percentile is different from actual weight loss. Most the time if it does occur (the weight loss), it's only because the child is so busy and not paying attention to hunger cues. An emphasis just gets placed on getting the child to eat more and then the weight comes back. On a rare case, it's a sign that there is a endocrine or metabolic problem that needs to be addressed, and that's what is prompting your doc for the referral now. Usually an endocrine or metabolic issue can be compensated for once it's diagnosed. I could go on here, so I'm just gonna stop (LOL!) because it's more info than you need. Either way, I hope things work out well and that your son starts gaining weight again soon!

Go to the meeting - they may not run tests at first anyway. Good chance the initial tests will be blood tests to figure out what's going on inside. If after the first meeting you choose not to do any tests that might be painful (not sure what these would be), make that choice then, but at least see what they might do.

I haven't had to take my kids to an endocrinology appointment, but there have been other issues that have brought me to the childrens hospitals. I've found that if you call to get the appointment and ask what kind of tests are generally done they should be more than willing to answer the questions for you or have someone who can call you back. I would definately go to the appointment, better to find out now if there's an issue or not, than wait until something actually happens. I understand your mom may have reservations, but you are mom now and it's your decision.

I just took my special needs child to the endro dr last week, the first visit was painless. We went over family history, his past medical history and made a plan for what tests would need to be done and where we could do them to make it easier for him - he had to have 10 labs drawn up (all in one poke at one time), a 3 hour glucose test and some x-rays and they were all done at the Short Stay Unit at children's. The nurses and family life specialist made it easy and relaxing for him - he is a fighter he doesn't understand why we are doing what we are but he was relaxed and calm with the majority of it. I should let you know that he is 8, has down syndrome, severe ADHD possible BiPolar and autistic tendencies.

M.

I agree that you should definitely take your child. It may be as simple as a thyroid issue (perhaps too high??). My children have both been tested (just at the regular doctor) because low thyroid runs in my family. For that test it is a simple blood test. Like others mentioned it could be something else as well. I don't think it is normal for a child to be losing weight like that and you definitely want to find out what is going on. As someone else mentioned too you could find out what tests they will be doing ahead of time but I would guess most likely it will simply be a blood test.

My dd is now 4 1/2 yo, but we took her when she was about your ds' age. She started out as a good sized baby, but as she got older, was gaining less and less weight, even losing weight like your ds (mostly between 9 and 18 mos). She was healthy and developing like she should, just not gaining weight. Our ped did a lot of tests, then referred us to Mpls Children's to do more tests. I don't recall what all they did, but nothing was more than a blood test. Nothing painful or intrusive. Nothing was ever found to be medically wrong with her. It was determined that she is just small. After she dropped percentiles (she was in the 80th, then dropped all the way below the charts), she stayed there. There was no answer for the drop, but she has been below the charts, or just barely on now (around 3-5%), so the docs are happy with that. She was 7 lbs at birth (4 weeks early), 17 lbs at a year old, and now only 30 lbs at 4 1/2 yo. As our doc says, someone has to be small, why not her? I would suggest calling the endo and make an appt. At the time of the call, ask them what the appt might consist of. Also, at the appt, they won't do anything you don't want them to do. It is worth checking out, just in case there is a medical issue, you want to be able to catch it ASAP. Good luck. If you want to chat more, feel free to email me at ____@____.com.
S., mom of 3