Sigh of relief re: son's lab results...

[CAMary]

Well, my middle kiddo has been followed by an endocrinologist for the past 6 mos, since he is at the 2% for height - always has been small - he was a preemie. At our first visit they took a wrist x-ray which showed his "bone age" was 3 years younger than his actual age - so that pretty much explains why he is 10 and the size of a 7 year old! Well, we've had 2 visits since then - the first one he grew some, but at the second he hadn't really gained any weight (we go every 3 mos...). The doc felt we should rule out any other *contributing factors* to growth delay - and he threw in a celiac panel, since we were going to be "sticking" him anyways...

I dreaded the blood draw (kid has sensory issues - I knew a poke wouldn't go over well!) so I made Mike take him right before Thanksgiving (I'm such a chicken!)...then I worried about what they *might* find - I feared thyroid or growth hormone issues, and celiac would not go over well, either - the food changes would be a real problem for him, I know! I didn't *really* think he'd be celiac as he has no gut issues at all.

Anyways, the endo just called - and everything checked out *totally* normal - they checked for SO many things - took about 5 vials of blood - I can rest easy now! While I've had my own health issues, worrying about your kids is 100x worse!!

He actually likes being small - and it comes in handy - Mike locked us out of the house the other evening - we can boost the little guy to crawl in our shower window - saves the $$ of calling a locksmith,

My gut has been in a knot over this - thanks for letting me *unload*!

Mary

[tex]

Hi Mary,

I'm glad to "hear" that the tests were all negative, but unless either you or Mike exhibited a similar growth pattern when you were his age, I believe that if I were in your shoes, I would have a stool test done at Enterolab, just to be on the safe side. Your son might possibly be gluten-sensitive, and asymptomatic, (as far as GI issues are concerned), even though he's not a celiac. Remember that exactly half of his genes came from you.

Polly, isn't this possible, or am I just worrying about something that can't happen?

Tex

[annie oakley]

I am so glad the boy is ok. It doesn't matter how old or young they are, you worry like crazy over them. Love Oma

[Gloria]

I agree with Tex. I would have him tested by Enterolab to rule out gluten intolerance. We know that the blood tests don't reliably determine gluten sensitivity. If he passes the Enterolab test, then you can relax.

Gloria

[Babsey]

Hi Mary,

I'm glad the test came back okay! I totally understand how it is to worry about your child. My 13 year-old daughter was a preemie and she is also small for her age. I'mnot sure if it's a preemie thing or if it's becuz i was always small. (5') She enjoys it and her friends call her "fun-sized."
She was born 10 weeks early and was 3 lbs. She was in the NICU for 11 weeks and then on a heart and apnea monitor for 8 MONTHS after she came home. She doesn't have any heath issues besides some slight asthma. She is on high honor roll and active in music. I remember being so worried about her health and learning abilities when she was a baby.
Thanks for letting me share, unless you have had a sick baby or a preemie it's hard to understand exactly what us as parents go thru!

Hope all is well with your son!

[JJ]

Hi Mary....whew....glad things are OK....what a worry....take care kiddo...JJ

[starfire]

You are so right about the worry over the little ones............. actually, any loved one. Sure glad nothing is positive so far.

Love, Shirley