Endo results

So, I got a hand-written note in the mail on Saturday from Ethan's endocrinologist. It said to call him at my convenience. The doctor hand wrote a note. I had never had a doctor do that before!

I called him today and I got his voicemail. It was actually his voicemail and not the secretary's. He called me back within the hour and gave me the news.

All thyroid/kidney/blah, blah, blah levels are normal. (another normal result! WOW!) Growth hormone levels are low. So, it is highly possible that Ethan is also growth hormone deficient.

We will wait and see how Ethan's growth changes over the next six months post cord release and then chat again in May. I already told him that if it will not affect Ethan's health, I am not that interested in treatment. It requires daily injections of the hormone and a whole lotta understanding from insurance. And, I am guessing that since Medicaid wants to cut Ethan off from OT, I don't think that they will be approving the $15k annual charge for the treatment. The treament will only help him be taller. I am fine with Ethan just being small.

My friend, Kimberly, and I were talking about how it would be interesting to know how many kids with Ds have low GH levels since the majority seems to be shorter in stature. I just don't know how often the test is ran in people with Ds unless there is a specific request. I am thinking that doctors would tend to just not do the test since it is assumed that people with Down syndrome are typically shorter. Deep thought...