Growth Hormone for short stature

smithneck

10-Year Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2006
Messages
11
My son was evaluated for many years for short stature and no diagnosis or medical condition was found by several physicians...ultimately attributed to relative heights of his parents and family. A new physician came to town and felt she could justify the prescription of growth hormone covered within the parameters for insurance purposes, and my son took the medication for about 1 year, 15-16 y.o. My son stopped taking the medication because he didn't feel concerned about his height, 5'5'' and missed many doses when traveling or just not a priority. How should this be described to DoDMERB, and what are the ramifications, if any?
 
If you send me an email at Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil, I will ask you fora copy of your son's medical records from age 14 to present. I will be able to give you a more accurate determination at that time. 5"5" in and of itself, is not a issue that would prevent accession to a Service Academy and/or ROTC program:thumb:
 
Doctor's reply

All endocrine and metabolic testing was normal; epiphyses were open and height was 2 sd below "normal"; formal diagnosis is idiopahic short stature (normal-variant short stature). Because we could affprd GH we opted to go with it for a year. She tells me that it is not considered a disease, more a pyschosocial issue related to height difference with respect to others. Thoughts?
 
My thoughts remain the same:

If you send me an email at Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil, I will ask you for a copy of your son's medical records from age 14 to present. I will be able to give you a more accurate determination at that time. 5"5" in and of itself, is not a issue that would prevent accession to a Service Academy and/or ROTC program. That is the only way I can be accurate.
 
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