Re: Poll on growth hormone - Malathi

[Guest guest]

Hi Malathi,

Forgive me, as I don't remember how old your child is.

One of the first considerations in starting a child on GH is their weight.

Are they able to maintain? Are they able to gain? One of the first things

that should be done is caloric catch-up. The first endo we saw here in

Cleveland, thought we were ridiculous for even considering this. She said

that if we waited until did his catch-up growth, we would never be

starting GHT. started His GHT after his visit with Dr H at the

convention.

One of the ways to know if your child has completed their caloric catch-up

is when your child continues to gain weight easily even though their growth

has flat lined. Another is that they climb the weight-for-height chart

unless their weight gain is controlled.

As to what age to start?? I think it differs for all children. Caloric

catch-up should be attained first, and then the child is ready for GHT. Your

child must have the ability to gain as fast as they are growing. If your

growth velocity increases 1.5 to 2 times, then the child must be able to

gain weight just as quickly. It was explained to us, that GHT is virtually

useless before the age of 2 years. Up until that time, growth is ruled by

caloric intake, not GH.

This is definitely a long term treatment, although I think several people on

this list serve tried dropping off the GH to see if their children could

maintain their growth velocity. I don't remember any of them being

successful though.

We are too early in GHT to determine the increase in 's growth

velocity, but I understand that the increase should be 1.5 to 2 times faster

than without GHT. As I said began his GHT in July, and at his August

GI appt he had already gained over a pound and grown over an inch.

Final height is again an individual thing.

Supplements and/or periactin can be used to help with caloric catch-up, as

well as continued weight gain once the child starts GHT. The one thing that

we were cautioned about is that Periactin increased reflux problems, so you

need to make sure you are careful with it's use.

I can't imagine not using GHT, not only for height, but to increase muscle

tone, and improve 's overall health. If I haven't explained something

well enough feel free to ask. If I can help you out in any other way, or you

just want to chat, feel free to contact me at pcpets @adelphia.net (no

space) or on Yahoo IM my ID is grandmax2ab.

Hope this helps

Pat (g-ma to , RSS, 32 months, 22.5#, 31.8 " , G-Tube)

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much, Pat. That was a really clear and good

explanation. My son is also 32 months. He is 32 " tall and 20 lbs.

-Malathi

> Hi Malathi,

>

> Forgive me, as I don't remember how old your child is.

>

> One of the first considerations in starting a child on GH is their

weight.

> Are they able to maintain? Are they able to gain? One of the first

things

> that should be done is caloric catch-up. The first endo we saw

here in

> Cleveland, thought we were ridiculous for even considering this.

She said

> that if we waited until did his catch-up growth, we would

never be

> starting GHT. started His GHT after his visit with Dr H at

the

> convention.

>

> One of the ways to know if your child has completed their caloric

catch-up

> is when your child continues to gain weight easily even though

their growth

> has flat lined. Another is that they climb the weight-for-height

chart

> unless their weight gain is controlled.

>

> As to what age to start?? I think it differs for all children.

Caloric

> catch-up should be attained first, and then the child is ready for

GHT. Your

> child must have the ability to gain as fast as they are growing.

If your

> growth velocity increases 1.5 to 2 times, then the child must be

able to

> gain weight just as quickly. It was explained to us, that GHT is

virtually

> useless before the age of 2 years. Up until that time, growth is

ruled by

> caloric intake, not GH.

>

> This is definitely a long term treatment, although I think several

people on

> this list serve tried dropping off the GH to see if their children

could

> maintain their growth velocity. I don't remember any of them being

> successful though.

>

> We are too early in GHT to determine the increase in 's

growth

> velocity, but I understand that the increase should be 1.5 to 2

times faster

> than without GHT. As I said began his GHT in July, and at

his August

> GI appt he had already gained over a pound and grown over an inch.

>

> Final height is again an individual thing.

>

> Supplements and/or periactin can be used to help with caloric

catch-up, as

> well as continued weight gain once the child starts GHT. The one

thing that

> we were cautioned about is that Periactin increased reflux

problems, so you

> need to make sure you are careful with it's use.

>

> I can't imagine not using GHT, not only for height, but to

increase muscle

> tone, and improve 's overall health. If I haven't explained

something

> well enough feel free to ask. If I can help you out in any other

way, or you

> just want to chat, feel free to contact me at pcpets @adelphia.net

(no

> space) or on Yahoo IM my ID is grandmax2ab.

>

> Hope this helps

> Pat (g-ma to , RSS, 32 months, 22.5#, 31.8 " , G-Tube)

[Guest guest]

Hi Malathi!

I am so glad that I could be of some help. I know that we did a ton of

research before we made the decision to use GH. It's not an easy decision

for anyone.

is a little heavier than your son, but not as tall! LOL Since he

completed his caloric catch-up, it's been harder to keep the weight off him,

than getting him to gain! LOL

We're really pleased with how he is doing so far, and Jodi is right! The

shots aren't as hard as I feared they might be. I was so worried about

giving them, but thanks to Jodi, Max (her son), and Carmen, I found out that

I COULD do them. Right now, my 18 yr old has been giving B his shots when

he's here, and she has no problems at all. We're using a syringe and an

Inject-ease, and we love it! LOL And doesn't say so much as " ouch "

at shot time.

When is your son's b-day?? was born on Dec 21, 2001, and he has

definitely entered the terrible twos! LOL

Glad to be of help!

Pat (g-ma to , RSS, 32 months, 22.5#, 31.8 " , G-Tube)