Advanced Bone Age for my 12 yr son

[debbie_deb]

My son at 10 had advanced bone age of 12.  Now he is 12 and his bones say 14.5  he is still shorter than his whole class,sports, he is teased.  He has been on growth hormone for 6 month and he is growing, however, my medical wont cover it because they think he has normal growth.  We have been in appeals for over 6 months. Does anyone have info that would be helpful to write in this appeal letter?  Advanced bone age for him tells his body that he is almost done growing and we are running out of time. He is already in level 5 puberty, and his feet are mens 9, big hands, but very short.  He is only 4' 9".  There are 4th graders taller than he is.  My daughter is 6 and she is almost there. HELP! I hate insurance companies.  I need facts that will help me win.

[cdrobinson]

Has any doctors ever mentioned having the pituitary checked?  This is a huge sign that the pituitary might be producing to much growth hormone.  Just an idea.  You can get lots of information at http://www.pituitary.org/.  My son is 15 & has a pituitary adenoma & the doctors all look at how he's growing.  

Just thought I would throw a line your way.  Hope all is well.

[Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD]

see my posting to your comment in the forum

[sla_sla]

Hi, My son's bone age is also 2 years more than his actual age.  Our pedeatric endocronologist didn't recommend Lupron for my son because based on other tests he hadn't actually started purberty as your son has.  So Lupron may be the answer for your son, but you may also want to look into a drug called Letrozole which delays bone maturation (fusion) and this with a growth hormone can increase overall final adult hight by 2 inches.   Good luck.

[Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD]

who is your ped endo?, their office can and should help with the appeals and once the appeals has run out many gh companies have assistance. Also with advanced bone age there may be a strong reason to start another medication called Lupron.
I agree our office fights this left and right and I often have to do a "peer to peer review" on the phone with some doctor who knows nothing about gh who works at the insurance company