14 and no puberty?

[ArrangedDrive]

At what age should I start being concerned for my son who’s 14 and seemingly hasn’t started puberty? He came to me upset last night and it took a while for him to tell me it was because he feels like the odd one out amongst his friends because his voice hasn’t changed much and he’s shorter. Now I’m wondering, he is 14, is that not on the older side? Or am I worrying over nothing and he’s just a late bloomer?

NHS says it might be time to see a GP.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/early-or-delayed-puberty/

Reasonable to see GP especially if no changes at all (does he think his balls have increased in size, any hair?) Were you or his dad late starters? Though men often bad at remembering.

If making an appointment for a medic, make sure you discuss with your son that the doctor will need to ask some personal questions and fully examine him including private parts

I think I may see a GP yeah, although I know my son doesn’t want me to, so I’m on the fence. I can’t ask his dad, although I started getting periods age 11

Your son is the one that needs to see the GP. Don't make an appointment without him.

Delayed onset of puberty can be a symptom of coeliacs disease, did he have any other "failure to thrive" during toddlerhood or childhood?

Didn’t fhink of that, he does have type 1 diabetes? Could that cause something like this? In terms of childhood, he did take a little longer to walk than average

My son was around 14/15 when he began puberty.

He's 16 now. The change in the past year has been night and day. His voice literally dropped overnight.

I had taken him to the GP, and the GP didn't seem particularly concerned re his health and development. Primarily, I took him because his mental health was beginning to suffer and he was self conscious about being noticeably smaller than his peers and much more childlike.

Those things, thankfully are no longer an issue for him and height wise he's on a par with his peers (and still growing 😭)

@ArrangedDrive also just noted your previous comment. My son was also later to walk, and diagnosed ASD at around age 8.

That gives me hope, thank you! Was his voice dropping the first sign?

My DS had late onset puberty, only 5ft when he left secondary school. I felt for him because I know he hated it and the bullying he suffered. We did go for checks when he was about 15 and from a bone scan of his hand and blood tests, he was able to be reassured that all was in order, he was just a late starter. He was offered testosterone injections to speed things up, but he decided against these as doctor was confident puberty would happen in time.

He was still outgrowing clothes at 21 and is a 'normal' height man now. Hope all works out the same for your son @ArrangedDrive.

I really appreciate sharing your story. Do you mind if I ask how tall he is now?

@ArrangedDrive, his legs getting much hairier was the first sign for my son, shortly followed by the change in voice.

I look at photos of him at 14 and his face shape has changed quite dramatically too. No chubby baby face, much more angular jaw etc.

Family who live abroad didn't actually recognise him initially.

I'm not sure why he was later to begin puberty than his peers, but looking at them all together now, there's no difference between those who began earlier and those who were a bit later.

Hoping all works out okay for your son!

@ArrangedDrive I have read that Type 1 diabetes can be associated with delayed puberty.

I would speak to your paediatric diabetes team, maybe by phone/email rather than at your next clinic if your son is uncomfortable discussing it.

@ArrangedDrive he’s 5’9” so not tall but looks average.

Type 1 diabetes and coeliacs disease are very closely linked.

My son was over 15 too and it seemed to happen very quickly.

When I was 13 I was the same height as my brother aged 15 (5 foot 3).
His voice broke 2 months before his 16th birthday. He ended up 6ft 3!

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. I will speak to our doctor about the correlation between diabetes and puberty. I spoke to my son a bit regarding his lack of changes and took inspiration from people’s stories. That being when he does start changing, he’ll no doubt change very quickly. And a lot of boys go from 5ft to 6ft over a short period of time. Does anyone know of any good puberty resources?

My nephew looked like a little boy on his 16 birthday . In the last few months he's went from looking very young to a non . He's over 6 foot now. I do remember my brother being the same. I used to tower over him even though he is 3 years older than me

The first sign on boys is one that you wouldn't notice, but he probably would. It's the testicles starting to grow. If that hasn't started happening, then yes, he need to go to the GP and probably be referred onwards.

My son was referred for checks with slow checks with slow puberty. The check was very simple and quick but very embarrassing for him. The female doctor🙈at the hospital measured his testicles with a row of large beads, testing for size.

Her exact words were…. I can assure you that you are very close to hitting puberty and when you do you will grow to be much taller than most of your peers and will grow for a longer period than them.
Well blow and behold within the next two months he did hit puberty and my goodness did he grow.
He is now almost 22 yrs old and he is over 6ft.
The hairy legs and armpits was slower coming but it did.

It just sounds like your son too is a late starter and absolutely nothing to worry about.

All the best to you and your son.

Whoops sorry for all the slows mentioned in my first sentenced🙈