Pediatric Hormone Treatment in Port St. Lucie, FL

Hormones Specialty Services in Florida

Hormone imbalance in children is treatable by an experienced pediatric hormone specialist endocrinologist. Pediatric endocrinology is a branch of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating a range of diseases related to hormones and metabolism, including other functions such as movement, respiration, and sensory perception.

Growth Hormone Deficiency

The FDA has approved injectable growth hormone treatments for children and young adults with a human growth hormone (HGH) deficiency. A growth hormone (GH) deficiency happens when the child’s pituitary gland doesn’t produce enough GH. In order to stimulate bone and tissue growth, the child must receive bioavailable hormones. 

Causes of GH Deficiency

Our pediatric endocrinologists offer growth hormones for kids when a deficiency exists. Growth hormone deficiency in children may be missed by your pediatrician in routine well-child visits. We treat GH deficiency with growth hormone for kids.

A deficiency may be caused by the pituitary gland or hypothalamus gland damage. These injuries may be present before the child is born, as a congenital condition, or after the child is born.

The pituitary gland is a tiny structure found at the base of the brain. It’s the primary endocrine gland in the human body. While the healthy pituitary gland releases up to eight hormones relating to growth, body processes, metabolism, and blood pressure, a GH deficiency may present as part of a specific genetic syndrome. In most cases, however, the GH deficiency cause is unknown or idiopathic.

Children at Risk for GH Deficiency

Your child or young adult might be at greater risk for GH deficiency if they suffered a brain injury, received treatment for a brain tumor or received radiation therapy to the head. Not all children with GH deficiency have these risk factors.

Symptoms of GH Deficiency in Children

If your child has slower than normal height growth after their third birthday (less than 1.4 inches per year), your doctor should check for GH deficiency.

Other signs of growth hormone deficiency include a younger than age facial appearance, chubbiness or obesity, delayed puberty, and impaired hair growth.

It’s important to check for GH deficiency because these symptoms may be present in other health conditions. Consult a pediatric hormone specialist endocrinologist for a diagnosis.

Our pediatric endocrinologists prescribe growth hormone for kids when it’s needed.

Thyroid Disease in Kids

The thyroid is a vital hormone gland found at the front of your child’s neck. A healthy thyroid gland produces the hormones needed to regulate the metabolic rate. It also controls an array of vital body functions, e.g., heart rate, body temperature, respiration, muscle strength, body weight, and more.

Thyroid disease symptoms in kids are similar to those in adults. The two most common forms of thyroid disease in kids are hyperthyroid and hypothyroid conditions.

Hyperthyroidism in Kids

In hyperthyroid conditions, the body’s thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormones than the body needs. 

Symptoms may include enlarged thyroid, rapid growth, fast pulse, hair loss, difficulty swallowing, mood swings/emotional outbursts, weight loss, intolerance of hot weather, and bulging eyes.

Hypothyroidism in Kids

This condition results when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. Symptoms may include the child’s complaints of feeling cold, slow pulse rate, hair loss, slower than average growth, dry skin, fatigue, delayed dental development, delayed puberty, slow speech, and weight gain.

If you think your child might have thyroid disease, don’t hesitate to contact us today.