Concerned about my teen's short stature

[Whentimeisright]

My DS is nearly 14 and about 5ft. I'm about 5ft 2 and my DH is 5ft 8. Neither of our parents are tall. DH had a very similar trajectory - didn't develop until later, was tiny for a while.

DS did blood tests for something else earlier this year and they included some general (not sure what) tests just to check no issues. It was fine.

I know there's a test to measure wrist/bone to see if he's just behind his peers; and I guess if there's an issue he'll be offered testosterone - which we really are not into.

But my understanding is that there is a window for testosterone? Whilst we don't want it, I don't want to close the window either.

Any thoughts? Sit and wait?

Wow. Ok, how often did he have wind? Every time he ate? Daily?

My ds3 will be 14 in January and is about 5ft 2in. He's always been small, since he had reflux as a baby and was failure to thrive.

Sleep - good
Activity - he is active but it is mostly short and very intense - think sprints vs scootering around
Diet - so my question was not so much centred about homemade vs pre-made, but the amount of protein and also the amount of milk. So a homemade lasagna, whilst delicious is not the same as two chicken breasts or a minimum of a pint of fresh milk per day.
The Dutch are the tallest population in the world, and this has been linked to their high consumption of dairy.
So, switch those fuzzy drinks for a couple of glasses of milk everyday and have a meat based meal per day.
Meat and milk will activated several growth pathways including mTOR.

My son is almost 16 and didn't grow until 15.5 then shot up within days! Started puberty around the same time so I say my son was delayed

my other son is also behind his peers so think it's genetic

My DH and I are same height as you and your DH. DS is 5ft 5 and is 21 so unlikely to get taller.

My son was 2nd smallest in his class all through school. In the summer break between junior and senior year of high school (age 16.5) he went from 5ft 4 to 6ft. It was astonishing and quite scary to suddenly have this tall person in the house. My DH is 5'8 and I'm 5'5.

He continued to grow, ending up an astounding 6ft 4 at 21.

My DS was very tiny his whole life, despite being sporty and living a healthy life like your lovely boy and being cooked for from scratch (he'd had some early bowel issues although negative for coeliac). Slept lots etc etc. Took him to the paediatrician at about 15 (which he was mortified about as he had to show his testicles but did it!). They said he was only just starting puberty but no worries. He waited until sixth form but ended up one of the taller boys in school and has belatedly topped out at 6'3" despite perfectly normal size parents (5'4" and 5'9").

No body ever believes me when I tell them he used to be tiny.

I would start the ball rolling with the paed/endocrinologist just in case but puberty might surprise you. Hope it all turns out well.

Wind was a constant part of our lives 😬

He could clear a room in 10 seconds flat it was that bad. It wasn't uncontrollable but when he did let go you could almost see a green poisonous cloud round him.

I can still remember driving back from school in a thunderstorm getting soaked as we had to put all the windows down.

It's still the best way to tell if he's accidentally eaten gluten........

I’m 4ft 11in and dh is about 5ft 8in. Ds1 is about 5ft 8in but he grew about 6inches of that post 16. Ds2 is 15 and about 5ft 2in - definitely taller than his brother at that age, and also broader (ds1 has no width at all) but only about 2 inches taller than your ds who is 2 years younger. No way we’re either of my boys over 5ft at 13. If your ds has gone into normal puberty within the normal window, which it sounds like he has, he will have significant growth in the next 6/7 years. He might not have very significant growth in the next 2/3 years though.

DS1 was late to hit puberty, smallish and very skinny, looking about 13 until his voice broke when he was 16.5. Since then he’s grown 7 inches and is now pretty tall. I was worried at the time but his two grandparents were apparently the same and we didn’t want to make an even bigger deal of it by going to the doctor. Three of his friends were similar so it seems a little unusual but not uncommon,

DS2 grew aged 14, but once again another 7 inches in height once his voice broke.

If he does go for testosterone injections, it can mean a reduction in your final height and there are other side effects to bear in mind and google.

Hi, Thanks - yes - I cook a lot of chicken and he has bowls of porridge, smoothies and hot chocolate.

How does he feel about his height?

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and reassurance. Honestly, I really appreciate it.

I'm going back to the 60's here, but my brother was so worried he asked my eldest sister to take him to the doctors to see if they could do anything to help him grow. Brother was about 11 at the time, and skinny and small,although my Dad was 6' ish.
Once he hit puberty he shot up to over 6' tall, filled out and became the 'hearthrob' of our comp!

I'd still push, to be seen by the Consultant. And I'd do that now. At least you'd then feel you'd done all you could.