AIBU to worry about delayed puberty in my 14-year-old son?

SparklyRubyCritic · 2026-09-13T07:01:08+00:00

My oldest is 14 now and there still hasn’t been any signs of puberty physically or mentally. He still likes things and acts like boys a few years younger which means he’s been struggling a bit in school socially with peers. Overall he’s amazing but I just worry if this is normal or not. I’m a single mum and I don’t know much about boy stuff regretfully (I know I need to learn). He does have type 1 diabetes and I was wondering if that causes a delay in puberty?

BritsAbroadly · 14/09/2026 20:02

@SeagulldancingIt doesn’t matter what centile more than what has he been tracking to and also the size of his parents. His very low centile (unless he has tiny parents) and lack of any onset of puberty really does require the GP

Seagulldancing · 14/09/2026 19:35

According to the growth charts 4foot 11 is just under the 9th percentile for 14 year olds. So hes small, but not alarmingly so. A GP visit won't hurt.

Tinkalinkalink · 14/09/2026 19:31

The misinformation on this thread is shocking. Yes 4 11 is short has his GP or diabetes nurse not considered growth hormone?

Boys develop at different rates but yes you do need to take him to the GP asap.

Original poster

SparklyRubyCritic · 14/09/2026 19:25

I just feel really worried and guilty for not chasing it sooner. I don’t know much about boy stuff since I’m single

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AllJoyAndNoFun · 14/09/2026 06:05

I believe 5’ 4” is average for a woman in the uk so her school does trend higher than average for sure- but she’s the shortest and she is noticeably shorter than average in other social settings as well. Anyway, I think we can agree that a boy being 4’11” in year 10 is very unusual and warrants investigation.

Yetanotherone12 · 13/09/2026 23:24

AllJoyAndNoFun · 13/09/2026 18:40

Ok, without wanting to panic you, I think a GP visit is in order if only for his height. If he’s 14 now I assume he’s just started year 10? Dd is 5’3” and the shortest in her year (10) so unless you and his father are exceptionally short, that seems unusual.

That said there are boys in my sons year (11) who have only just really hit puberty in the last 9-12 months ( ds was way the tallest in year 9 and now he’s pretty normal height) so I think the age range is quite wide for boys.

Hope you get some answers.

5’3 and shortest in her year 10?

that’s a pretty average height so would be unusual in a normal cohort.

Original poster

SparklyRubyCritic · 13/09/2026 23:15

WaverleyOwl · 13/09/2026 20:42

My youngest son is also (just 14) and small for his age. No signs of puberty. We did get a referral about 6 months ago to a paediatrician due to something else and we mentioned it.
He had his hormone levels checked (no signs at that point) and has been referred onto endocrinology.
Could be absolutely fine, but at least he's already in the system.
Also, they do nothing at age 14, but it's good to be on their radar.

Edited

Thank you for sharing. Do you mind if I ask what his weight/height is?

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WaverleyOwl · 13/09/2026 20:42

My youngest son is also (just 14) and small for his age. No signs of puberty. We did get a referral about 6 months ago to a paediatrician due to something else and we mentioned it.
He had his hormone levels checked (no signs at that point) and has been referred onto endocrinology.
Could be absolutely fine, but at least he's already in the system.
Also, they do nothing at age 14, but it's good to be on their radar.

bababamama · 13/09/2026 20:36

It’s the later end of normal range so please don’t panic. I’d send an email to the drs expressing your concerns and take it from there. I have a very late onset girl and they would not refer until 16, thankfully between referral and the 4 month appointment wait it all kicked off so we cancelled the appointment

BritsAbroadly · 13/09/2026 20:21

He’s tiny…unless you and your DH are also tiny he needs to be seen ASAP.

LiarAtAWitchTrial · 13/09/2026 20:16

My ds hadn't started puberty at 14. I read somewhere to take them to the GP if they hadn't started by 14 and a half so decided to wait, and by that time it had started.
I knew to expect a delay though as he had already been diagnosed with a constitutional delay of growth as a young child.

Holeymoley28 · 13/09/2026 20:12

AnnaQuayRules · 13/09/2026 20:08

DS2 was like this.

He finally got puberty at 16. He's now 27 and 6'2", in a long term relationship and no after effects of being a "late to puberty" young man.

Without being crude or presumptive you don’t know that though.

You don’t know if it’s affected his sex life or how it may of affected his fertility unless it becomes talked about later in life.

Although I could be wrong and he has a very open relationship sharing that info with you and five children 😅

AnnaQuayRules · 13/09/2026 20:08

DS2 was like this.

He finally got puberty at 16. He's now 27 and 6'2", in a long term relationship and no after effects of being a "late to puberty" young man.

Seagulldancing · 13/09/2026 20:00

Do you have any brothers? When do you remember them growing as teens?
Apparently the later male puberty equals taller adult men, so if you are from a family of tall men, don't worry yet.

titchy · 13/09/2026 20:00

LathkillDale · 13/09/2026 19:54

What harm did it do? DH is 6’4”, so it’s not surprising DS is the same height. DDs are both tall.

Anyway, there were other things going on.

Show quote history

Well it could have been too late. There’s a point at which treatment simply doesn’t work - if the growth plates have sealed for instance. You (he) was very lucky it did work.

LathkillDale · 13/09/2026 19:54

titchy · 13/09/2026 18:24

You waited till 18 That’s shockingly neglectful of you. If true…

Show quote history

What harm did it do? DH is 6’4”, so it’s not surprising DS is the same height. DDs are both tall.

Anyway, there were other things going on.

writingsonthewall · 13/09/2026 19:52

Christ this thread has really worried me. When are you supposed to take them if no signs?!

HesterLeggatt · 13/09/2026 18:49

I generally fall on the side of “they get there in their own time, try not to worry”, but if those weights and measurements are accurate, he is smaller and lighter than my 9 year old so I would definitely be getting things checked out.

AllJoyAndNoFun · 13/09/2026 18:40

Ok, without wanting to panic you, I think a GP visit is in order if only for his height. If he’s 14 now I assume he’s just started year 10? Dd is 5’3” and the shortest in her year (10) so unless you and his father are exceptionally short, that seems unusual.

That said there are boys in my sons year (11) who have only just really hit puberty in the last 9-12 months ( ds was way the tallest in year 9 and now he’s pretty normal height) so I think the age range is quite wide for boys.

Hope you get some answers.

titchy · 13/09/2026 18:24

LathkillDale · 13/09/2026 10:37

I took DS at 18, when there no signs of puberty. We saw an endocrinologist, who ordered a wrist x ray and then prescribed testosterone injections. He said it was better to limit DS’ height, as he was going to end up 6’7” otherwise. It kick started puberty and DS is 6’4” - which imo is better.

You waited till 18 That’s shockingly neglectful of you. If true…

Original poster

SparklyRubyCritic · 13/09/2026 18:14

I’ve made an appointment yeah although my DS is super worried :(

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nrp2 · 13/09/2026 17:39

I would speak to your diabetes nurse as delayed puberty could be a sign of other endicorine problems - I'd speak to them before going through GP.

Holeymoley28 · 13/09/2026 17:35

He is rather small for a boy his age, my 10 year old is already 5ft and she’s a girl and I’m only 5ft5 so not some Amazonian tall goddess.

Have you booked an appointment.

FoldItIn · 13/09/2026 17:23

Did you make an appointment with his GP @SparklyRubyCritic ?

Original poster

SparklyRubyCritic · 13/09/2026 17:16

Takeoutyourhen · 13/09/2026 09:40

What is his height and weight like?

36kg and 4ft 11

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