Concern - Teen boy

Original poster

Panic71 · 01/09/2023 06:10

Anyone able to help?

OP posts:

Romiley · 01/09/2023 06:21

Didn't want to read and run off. Hopefully, someone with medical knowledge will come by soon. I wish you and your son well. Hopefully, it's just his body developing. This may be irrelevant, but in females, one breast is larger than the other. Don't know if that would be the same with males.

Original poster

Panic71 · 01/09/2023 07:00

Huge thanks Romiley.
it’s so hard as I don’t want to worry him

OP posts:

MumofSpud · 01/09/2023 07:08

Panic71 · 31/08/2023 22:57

Any GPs or fellow parents experienced this?

My son is almost 16 and I’ve noticed that his left breast is noticeable larger than the right. It seems to have suddenly appeared and it’s worrying me. He’s not mentioned it at all so I haven’t approached it with him and he’s been top less all holiday so I don’t think he’s aware. It seems to be as if the peck is developing on that side and less on the other or maybe it’s a bit of fat tissue? He just seems to be at the later stage of puberty and not the start hence I’m worried. Other posts on these issues seem to say it’s normal when young? But he’s almost 16.
Any advice?

Is it that one is larger or that the other one is smaller / under developed?
My DS had (what we called when he was little) a 'funny nipple' - as he grew one side of his chest looked a bit flatter.
When he was about 10, I was watching 'Embarrassing Bodies' on TV and a man had exactly the same - turned out it was something called Poland Syndrome
We took DS to GP who referred us
I will never forget going to see the consultant- we went in and he sneered at us - so you were watching TV and you have diagnosed your son as having this just because of a TV programme
All I said was DS take off your shirt !
He did have it - it was / is only a cometic thing - people with Poland syndrome can have a small hand too (Jeremy Beadle) and sometimes heart issues but he was tested and all ok but a few years later he does have arrhythmia (they said this might not be related)
In DS' case he has a missing pec muscle

Aparecium · 01/09/2023 07:12

I once knew a guy with a chest like this. It was only noticeable because we were at an overseas summer camp, so lots of time spent at swimming pools etc. it was barely noticeable when he was wearing a shirt. I think he said it was called Poland Syndrome. Googling brings up photos that match my recollection of this guy. I don't remember it affecting him in any way other than cosmetic, but I only knew the guy for one summer.

Original poster

Panic71 · 01/09/2023 12:11

I just researched Poland syndrome and I don’t think it’s that - more a puffy nipple or fat collection?

OP posts:

Houseplantmad · 01/09/2023 12:15

Get him tested for vitamin D deficiency. Our DS had similar and it was as a result of this aka rickets. He took high dose vitamin D tablets and it’s better but will never be perfect.

Original poster

Panic71 · 01/09/2023 21:39

Houseplantmad · 01/09/2023 12:15

Get him tested for vitamin D deficiency. Our DS had similar and it was as a result of this aka rickets. He took high dose vitamin D tablets and it’s better but will never be perfect.

That’s fascinating and lots rings true with struggling to sleep and aches and pains. Thank you!

OP posts:

Meem321 · 01/09/2023 21:43

Could be hormonal..there is a name but I can't remember. My son has it. It comes and goes, he's 19 now

Original poster

Panic71 · 01/09/2023 21:46

MumofSpud · 01/09/2023 07:08

Is it that one is larger or that the other one is smaller / under developed?
My DS had (what we called when he was little) a 'funny nipple' - as he grew one side of his chest looked a bit flatter.
When he was about 10, I was watching 'Embarrassing Bodies' on TV and a man had exactly the same - turned out it was something called Poland Syndrome
We took DS to GP who referred us
I will never forget going to see the consultant- we went in and he sneered at us - so you were watching TV and you have diagnosed your son as having this just because of a TV programme
All I said was DS take off your shirt !
He did have it - it was / is only a cometic thing - people with Poland syndrome can have a small hand too (Jeremy Beadle) and sometimes heart issues but he was tested and all ok but a few years later he does have arrhythmia (they said this might not be related)
In DS' case he has a missing pec muscle

Show quote history

Gosh! Well that told the consultant!
Is there any treatment cosmetically?

OP posts:

Heronatemygoldfish · 01/09/2023 22:50

Gynaecomastia. In teen boys they can get one side larger. DS had it, and for once Dr Google worked.

Original poster

Panic71 · 02/09/2023 07:09

Heronatemygoldfish · 01/09/2023 22:50

Gynaecomastia. In teen boys they can get one side larger. DS had it, and for once Dr Google worked.

Did it resolve?

OP posts:

Heronatemygoldfish · 02/09/2023 07:40

@Panic71 yes it did. Not sure when but he's fine now.

Original poster

Panic71 · 02/09/2023 08:08

Heronatemygoldfish · 02/09/2023 07:40

@Panic71 yes it did. Not sure when but he's fine now.

That’s a relief.
I think the link to vitamin D is worth following up too so I’ve ordered a supplement.
Being a teen is hard enough 🥴

OP posts:

Susieblue18 · 03/09/2023 08:10

If you google gynecomastia, it says around half of teenage boys develop this in one or both breasts. My son had a lump under one nipple which I think was the same thing and it did look one side look a bit different swollen. He’s now in his twenties and it seems to have resolved itself. I wonder if you could give the GP a call and just describe it and they may be able to reassure you without having to mention it to ds or take him for an appt.