Can son's excessive growth be halted?

[Extralongtrews]

My boy is 16, v skinny and now 6 ft 6. He's always been tall but I'm starting to worry he might have giantism. He could grow for another two years. Some boys grow into their 20s.

The doctor will most likely fob me off but am I right to be concerned? He's a bit of a misfit anyway and doesn't need to stand out like a sore thumb any more than he already does.

Anyone with experience of this?

I'd speak to the doctor first before jumping to conclusions that they wont help you or take your concerns seriously.

Are you or your son’s dad very tall? It’s a bit of a stretch to be worried about gigantism when he’s 6’6” at 16. My tall son grew maybe an inch after the age of 16, took him to about 6’3” or 6’4”.
As always though, if you’re worried speak to a gp.

They are currently keeping tabs on my nephew and thinking about giving him hoemones to slow his growth, he's just nine, so imo you're already quite late to the party.

@ScarlettDarling do you mean another inch from 16-17 or from 17 plus?
He grown another two inches in six months, after we thought growth should tail off.

@Creepyrosemary hmm so it is possible. Bet the GP tries to fob me off though. Age 9 DS was just tall not really really tall

My son is like this. He has marfans syndrome though.

DH is 6ft 6 and was pretty well that tall by 16/17. It's alarming how fast boys grow in their mid teens but they do level off.

How tall are you and your partner? Both sets of parents? All siblings? Context is important

Have you looked into marfans syndrome?

I'd speak to the doctor. But it would make sense if tallness runs in your family

Go to the doctor if you are concerned. Remember 6'6" is not as far above the normal range as it was - I work with a couple of guys that tall.

He's a bit of a misfit anyway and doesn't need to stand out like a sore thumb any more than he already does. I was pretty at this unkind comment.

I worked with someone as a teen who was that tall at 15/16. He is now 6’7 both parents were short ish

Agreed that without any context it's hard to say.

If no one else is especially tall then it could be worth looking into conditions that affect growth but if other relatives are tall then it's perfectly possible he's just destined to be that height and there's nothing to concern yourself with.

If he's autistic then that's often associated with being tall but I'dI'd Still speak to the GP - can't do any harm

I understand your concern. 6'6" is unusually tall, enough to have everyone constantly define you by your height.
DS2 is 6'4" and stands out. He's very easy to spot in a crowd. There are practical inconveniences, beds, shoes, cars.
He was 6"2 at 16 so not a huge amount of growth after that. We are a tall family but he is taller than both parents.
I suspect it's late to delay growth but it wouldn't hurt to speak to gp. I would try and speak to them without DS initially.

Bit much ? Op is concerned about her son , and gigantism is the name of a condition. Whether is offends you or not

One of the checks for marfans which is easy to do at home is if the span of their arms is significantly longer than their height. Being tall actually isn't always a sign of marfans. There are averaged height people with marfans

I've got three colleagues who are 6'6"-6'8". It's not extraordinary tall any more.

DS is 6’6” and is 19 but didn’t really grow after 16 - maybe half an inch. I’m presuming he’s done now. He loves his height.

I don’t think 6ft 6 inches is excessive these days, and hopefully it will start slowing down/stop now.

People are getting taller.

In what way do you think he stand out enough anyway?

I would be more concerned if he was extremely small.

How about you educate the op in why her son can't have the condition she is worried he might have.

You sound pretty confident he doesn't so presumably you are basing that on your amazing telemedical knowledge. I'm sure she would like to be reassured. It's literally the point of her op, after all.

Ds1 was 6.5 on his 16th birthday (we measure each birthday!) and hasn't grown anymore since - he's now 19 and happy with his height.

Thank you for replies everyone.

There is a tall streak in the family - including me - but he has outstripped men I used to consider tall.

Yes @ArcticSkewer he's a bit autistic so already a target for bullies wanting get a rise. He is naturally skinny so a stocky boy can overpower him. I've never heard autism linked with height before.

That is is reassuring to know that other's sons stopped at 16. DH has been telling me about some footballer who had a growth spurt at 20. I really hope DS stops growing now.

There seem to be syndromes other than marfan.

@BackAgainstWall no one wants to be at the extremes. Agree it is hard for men on the other end of the scale.

I understand why you're worried. DS' bio dad is 6ft 6 and he always hated being so tall. He got comments everywhere we went(didn't help that I'm only 5ft 4) and struggled to get clothing that was long enough in high street shops. DS has just turned 12 and is in 13-14 clothes because of the length so he's taller than average for his age but I've always hoped he wouldn't be as tall as his my ex because of how much he struggled with his height.

However, things are different now. Lots of high street shops sell longer jeans or have tall ranges and there seems to be more very tall people so they don't get as many stares or comments as my ex did.

'Gigantisim' is the name of a condition, it's not a swear word. What would you prefer she called it? she is worrying about her son which many of us have in the past, and has come on to ask what people think. Of course 6'6 is unusually tall, more so if you are not from a very tall family.