Test prior to starting GH

[Guest guest]

Hello all, my son, Grant, is a patient of Dr. H's and we are nearing

the end of the " catch-up " phase and approaching the day when we have

to make the decision to use GH therapy. I was wondering what test(s)

Dr. H requires prior to actually starting GH therapy. We still see a

local endocrinologist and he would like us to do a GH stimulation

test. We could do this here but would not if she doesn't require it

or if she would just do it again. Does she do any testing at her

office? I know better than to try to predict what Dr. H is going to

do, I was just hoping to stay a step ahead (otherwise known as not

getting too far behind). My wife and I have both been going to

Grant's appointments but logistically this gets difficult (2 other

children at home), we both want to be there for the appointment when

this decision has to be made.

O.K. I just read what I wrote and it doesn't make a lot of sense to

me either, let me try again. Does Dr. H pose the GH option and

implement it in one appointment or do you discuss it at one

appointment and start treatment at the next appointment?

Any info would be helpful, thanks.

S. , Grant (3)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

We are patients of Dr H and have been on GHT for two weeks.

To answer some of your questions:

1. Dr H does not require a stim test on RSS patients.

2. She told us he was done with his catch-up and was ready to start

GH. Then she had to file the necessary paperwork (which took her 2

months to do). When she finally filed, we got a call from Single-

Point-of-Contact (the supply company). They shipped us a free 30 day

supply to start and said that they deal the insurance and I should

just sit back and wait.

3. After receiving the GHT, we went back to the hospital for the

following items:

A. Height and weight

B. Bone scan and blood work

C. Lesson on how to mix the GH and give the shot.

4. The first shot was done that day at the hospital. Since then, we

give the shot after has gone to sleep.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to

email me directly or call me at work at (direct line)

Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) twins turning 4 on

2/4/04

[Guest guest]

,

Our son is a patient of Dr. H's and has been on gh for a year now.

We live about 250 miles from NYC, so I can appreciate your questions

regarding testing required and implementing gh. My husband and I

both go to NY on the " important " office visits, but when it is just

a " check-up " I go alone. I am fortunate that my Dad lives only

about an hour from Dr. H's office so I combine our trip with a

family visit.

OK, now to answer your questions. Dr. H did not require testing

prior to beginning gh. We discussed in our visit prior to beginning

gh that the following visit (in three months) we would begin gh.

Since we needed to obtain the gh locally in order for our insurance

to cover it, our local ped at the time (who is also an endo.) talked

with Dr. H and she was able to get the gh before our next visit.

Then we brought the gh to our next visit and we learned how to mix

and inject it. At that appointment our son had to have blood work

done in NY. Dr. H requires it be done at her office.

I hope this helps.

Alison

> Hello all, my son, Grant, is a patient of Dr. H's and we are

nearing

> the end of the " catch-up " phase and approaching the day when we

have

> to make the decision to use GH therapy. I was wondering what test

(s)

> Dr. H requires prior to actually starting GH therapy. We still

see a

> local endocrinologist and he would like us to do a GH stimulation

> test. We could do this here but would not if she doesn't require

it

> or if she would just do it again. Does she do any testing at her

> office? I know better than to try to predict what Dr. H is going

to

> do, I was just hoping to stay a step ahead (otherwise known as not

> getting too far behind). My wife and I have both been going to

> Grant's appointments but logistically this gets difficult (2 other

> children at home), we both want to be there for the appointment

when

> this decision has to be made.

>

> O.K. I just read what I wrote and it doesn't make a lot of sense

to

> me either, let me try again. Does Dr. H pose the GH option and

> implement it in one appointment or do you discuss it at one

> appointment and start treatment at the next appointment?

>

> Any info would be helpful, thanks.

>

> S. , Grant (3)