Delayed puberty

[Seriouslymole]

When does it become delayed puberty for boys? My DS - year 9, aged 14 - is showing no signs of puberty. He is not particularly small and his voice is not terribly high pitched but that has always been the case. However, his genitals looks the same as they ever have and I can see no sign of facial or body hair. He does have an auto-immune condition (type 1 diabetes) so not sure whether this is an influencing factor - although he was only diagnosed 2 years ago.

He has never mentioned this other than in passing a while back to say he was the only one without armpit hair in his friendship group but he is not bothered about it and I don't want to make it a "thing". But should I be speaking to his consultant about it? He obviously comes to all consultations though so I would need to do this without him knowing as he would be mortified if I broached it with him there.

I don't know for boys but for girls they couldn't order tests until dd turned 16. Saw gp at 15.5 and they were a bit concerned and told me to bring her back as soon as she turned 16 unless she showed significant signs if cause, in the event at 16 there were signs and her periods started at 16 and 4 months. As Boys can be later I suspect the threshold is later

Ps dd carried on growing until 19. Her sister wasn't much advanced either (just shy of 15 for periods which is on the late side, they don't take after me)

My son is 15 and no signs at all yet. We have gone privately for X-ray and blood tests but are now back in the NHS for an endocrinology appointment.

He's about 5foot. No hair anywhere. It's definitely worth flagging.

@Seriouslymole we are going through the same with my DS at the moment. He has acute asthma and has been on meds since he was a baby and the endocrinologist says the 2 things are linked. He’s 15 (by 3 months) and has the bone age of a 13 year old so 2 year delay. Growth plates haven’t fused so loads of growing to do. Bloods were normal & no genetic issues so it’s just constitutional delay - he’s about 5 foot 2. Also advised to watch and wait at the moment as testosterone causes issues down the line- he has (according to endocrinologist) got testicular development.

DS hates it & hates being small but we keep reassuring him it will be ok! At 14 its advisable to get your DS in the system as it took a year for us to see the endocrinologist!

Wishing you and DS all the best. I think as we see our consultant every three months re the type 1 we are already in the system so I will just mention it to her.

We were told not to worry until 15. At 14 and 9 months he was still a boy, by his birthday everything had changed, he grew a ft in three months, went up three shoe sizes and everything else developed ( we are not exhibitionist but equally are not ashamed of nudity.)

It sounds like he may have started puberty if he is growing and his voice is breaking. I have a 13YO DS who is in the same boat. Albeit he is not Type 1 Diabetic.

As hard as it is I would call the GP surgery and ask for a routine appointment with the hope they will exam him and they should be able to ascertain from his testicle size if puberty has commenced or not. They may also do bloods and they could to an ultrasound to measure the size of his testicles. They'll look at the FSH and LSH sex hormones, testosterone levels among others. My son 22 had all this done but has been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition.

I am not sure the Endocrinologist Consultant will do the examination as if is not there speciality but at least they can give you some advise.

Happy to discuss my experiences with you :)

Thanks all. I have just had a reply back from our DSN (diabetes specialist nurse) to say she spoke with our consultant who said that there was nothing to worry about and that changes in boys happen very subtly until right at the end so he has probably started but it's just not obvious. She will discuss with me later if I still feel worried but doesn't feel there is anything to be concerned about currently. She said the type 1 is not going to be the cause unless there are years and years of poor control (which we fortunately haven't had). I think involving another health professional (e.g. GP) might muddy the waters a bit so I will just sit tight for the time being.