DD 17 has gained 2 stones in 9 months AIBU to be worried ?

[Humptyabouttofall]

My DD 17 yr old has gained 2 stones in 9 months. She has always been healthy, sporty and satisfied with her appearance and has had a good relation with food. In April last year though due to persistent facial acne we went to the doctors who advised she started taking the pill to see if that helped, which it did and at that time she weighed 8 stones. By August, acne was back, not as bad but doc put her on antibiotic tablets as well. Big improvement after that, but not sure which of the 2 things was helping the most. By September, weight gain was apparent but we put it down to having moved to the UK (lived abroad before August) and she has a lot more choice of foods here. I mention this because 2 1/2 years ago she was diagnosed with various food intolerances (before diagnosis it was very scary for her - intermittent pains in joints and muscles all over her body).
By September we were noticing a lot of mood swings in her and she also started to say she couldn't stop eating, she never felt full and didn't feel in control of herself around food. Her weight gain was noticeable in her clothes but she didn't weigh herself during all this time. I took it lightly, because I know she only eats and home and I know what's in my cupboards or else when we are out as a family and I couldn't really see that she was binging that much, so I told her not to worry, do more exercise as she wasn't being as active and chill about it. Finally though came to the conclusion ourselves that she should stop the pill to see if this helped with moodiness and weight. This she did in October. Since then moods are a lot better though she hasn't had a single period (which I find worrying too) though she has continued to gain weight to the point that on 3rd Feb at the doctors she weighed 10 1/2 stones. Doc not too concerned but we asked to get to see a diet specialist DD herself thought this external help would be positive for her. Still waiting for the appointment. Lately she is being very careful with what she eats and being more active but feels bad about herself and she is plagued by stretch marks all over her legs and bum. (btw no acne, but still on antibiotics). I want to help but I don't know how to. Her mental health concerns me the most. Any suggestions will be very welcome. Thank you very much.

Bio Oil can help with the stretch marks. My DD (18) uses it for stretch marks linked to a growth spurt. It's quite expensive though.

If she's been on antibiotics for a while, could they have damaged her gut bacteria biome (which can lead to weight gain).

I was about to say this. Long term antibiotics are terrible for gut health.

I'm another one who reached my full adult height at 12.

I would look for an alternative treatment for her acne. You already had good results with a naturopath. I find dermatological medicines are often extremely harmful to other parts of the body.

I also disagree about 10 and a half stone being a good weight for a girl of her height. I am that height and was definitely overweight when I hit that weight.

I also disagree about 10 and a half stone being a good weight for a girl of her height.

You can't possibly know that without knowing her body shape or frame size.

No growth for two years, no periods, stretch marks and weight gain. These are all warning signs of some kind of pituitary problem. Please insist on an immediate referral to an endocrinologist as GPs don't always connect these symptoms. It probably isn't anything sinister but the sooner you find out, the better. Good luck.

Also, the "never feeling full" complaint could indicate a hypothalamic problem (hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary). Please also mention this to the endocrinologist.

No periods and gaining weight. As another poster said, Is she pregnant this is the commonest cause of no periods.

Her body shape is shapely, not busty, slender tummy and a pert bum. She's gained all over in general. Legs, thighs, bum and arms all fuller. Round her middle is where she has less put weight on (no pregnancy possibilities)

Been reading up on PCOS, but apart from taking the pill to regulate hormones, there doesn't seem to be any other solutions to related symptoms - ie acne and weight gain

She should come off the pill.

She's not on the pill, hasn't been since October

That's not the only reason to seek confirmation or dismissal of it being pcos though. Does she want children at some point?

Just as a note, friend of mine got pregnant as a teen, strict family, slim build, managed to hide it until she was 7.5 months. I've seen photos taken when she was this far along and further - she did not look pregnant not everyone does.

Zero possibility of a pregnancy and is not the issue in hand.

Agree with those who suggested PCOS. But, there is treatment, not an cure, but treatment. For example insulin can help.

Then endocrinologist is best course of action.

Is she pregnant? No periods and weight gain, eating loads but not feeling full, and mood swings...

Hi OP,

To improve your DD's mental health, here are some suggestions:
-Become a young leader at a Girl Guides group. This would mean that she has a weekly commitment, she should make friends there and there are really fun activities like boating, camping and crafting.
-Join exercise clubs, like tennis, netball, table tennis.
-Get a gym membership- work out in the gym, attend classes like circuit training and yoga or go swimming.
-Go walking in the countryside and take picnics/a hot drink. You could do this together.
-Find a hobby like gardening, painting, knitting or reading.
-Watch some feel-good films.
-Get cooking healthy foods, like 'healthy' flapjacks or cookies.
-Go for a bike ride.
-Start learning an instrument- have some lessons or self-teach.

The main thing is is to make your DD feel good about self and feel happy. The things I have suggested can be done together (you and her), on her own or with her friends/she may make some friends whilst taking part in these activities. She is young and I'm sure beautiful, so encourage her confidence.