Precocious/early puberty

[Msw1981]

My DS is 8, he has started getting body odour and I have noticed some hairs under his arm, I have spoken to the GP and have a face to face appointment on Friday, does anyone know what they will do in the appointment? They said about referral to the paediatrician- what happens with that appointment. TIA

More likely premature adrenarche, which is much less worrying.

They will need to fully examine him (let your son know this means checking his testicles too and chat through with him why that's important) and check a height and weight.

If it's only some underarm hairs it may be unnecessary to test more, if there's uncertainty they would contact paediatricians for advice and/or may do the blood tests themselves (which are good at showing it actual full-blown puberty has started).

As mentioned, premature adrenarche (testosterone byproducts being produced but not actually in puberty) is much more common.