I was his last patient of the day, so we chatted for a bit about the future of screening processes (more for my daughter's benefit, down-the-road), and he wrote me an Rx for a compression glove/sleeve to wear when I fly, since I seem to have mild lymphedema issues in my hand. He answers *all* of my questions and never rushes me or makes me feel like I am wasting his time. A real good guy!I also had to take my son to see an endocrinologist - we had to wait 5 months for a slot @ the Children's Hospital...I get the appt card. and the name is utterly unpronounceable and I think "Oh great - if he hardly speaks English, I'm not going to be thrilled...." But he ended up speaking *perfect* English, and he was really great with my son (who was being seen because he is around 1-2% in height and pediatrician wanted to rule out a medical cause) Right away he assured me he did not suspect hormone problems because he is otherwise quite healthy, proportional in height/weight - he suspected "constitutional growth delay" AKA "late-bloomer in the growth/development department". He suggested we do a "bone age x-ray" where they look at some growth plates in the wrist. My son was *thrilled* they didn't plan to draw blood! He called me the next day, and said the x-ray confirmed what he suspected - my son's "bone age" is delayed 3 years! So we have every reason to expect him to attain a normal adult height, eventually! I mentioned the gluten thing - but he was not concerned, as my son was the same percentile his first year of life - prior to grain exposure, plus the absence of any GI symptoms...SO he will be followed, but thankfully we have a confirmed diagnosis of the least-worrisome cause for growth delay....It may be related to his prematurity...
I'll bet my insurance company is equally happy! Growth hormone therapy ain't cheap!
Mary
