Daughter now classed as overweight in 97th percentile.

[trumphy]

Dear all, I am feeling absolutely wretched. I have become increasingly concerned over my daughters weight gain over the last 6 months. According to the NHS BMI calculator she is now in the severely overweight bracket. I have been to the Drs and she is referring me to the hospital paediatrician for blood tests etc. My daughter has also been constipated since birth and has always had a very swollen tummy, so I think this also has an impact on her weight. We are a very health conscious family. I don't buy junk food and cook meals at home, we exercise regularly. My other daughter does not have this problem and my husband and I are not overweight. I am wondering if something else is affecting her. Possibly a thyroid problem. I feel so helpless. We are taught that if we eat healthily and exericse we will be a healthy weight, but she continues to get bigger. Not sure what I want from everyone on here but I feel so worried and distraught. No one else I can talk to. Has anyone else had a problem with this? Possibly with chronic constipation and weight gain?

[Inmyopinion1]

I don't think that screening with TsH only will uncover all cases which is why I took pains to point out that that is all that is looked for (on the newborn screening program). However, outside of pituitary problems it tends to be very effective and many hospital labs will only run TSH when asked to do a thyroid profile. Demanding free T3 and T4 from the GP will likely not be well received.

[trumphy]

Thank you everyone. We have an appointment in Jan so fingers crossed we will get somewhere with it.

[Lillyaan]

Just to put your mind at rest because you are not alone. This very same issue is being voiced by many parents across the UK and causing some distress due to misunderstanding/ lack of information.
EG. Due to pressure on the Public Health Department to address the growing obesity problem in the UK, the implementation of the programme went ahead without public information /advertisment to explain it.
The NHS utilising the BMI chart from (World Health Organisation) selected the 97th percentile simply as the CUT OFF POINT.
Firstly one needs to consider the childs Birth centile. Was she (above 50th? near the 97th? or thereabouts? in addition to family genetics (tall/small) & medical history.
The following example is how one should read the chart.
3% of children will be below the 3rd centile and 3% above the 97th.
15% will be below the 15th centile and 15% above the 85th.
50% will be below the 50th centile and 50% above the 50%. = Read as 50% of the normal population will be below this line and 50% above it.

If a childs weight is 'OFF THE CHART' (ABOVE 97th centile) it is wise to have this checked but in many cases all is well. Also consider the 'confidence' long term effects on a child where lots of tests may emphasise or highlight a 'weight' problem.
Not entirely sure about your worry re- Thyroid problem as there are other very obvious factors you would have noticed and you have not mentioned.