More often than not, children follow a normal path of growth and development. But as a parent, you know when something seems off.
Maybe your child is shorter than all of their classmates. Or maybe puberty has started sooner than expected. Or maybe your pediatrician noticed something odd at a well visit.
These types of issues should be examined by a pediatric endocrinologist in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Here’s what you need to know about this type of medical professional.
What is a Pediatric Endocrinologist?
A pediatric endocrinologist is a doctor who works with kids who have hormone-related issues. Hormones are messengers that tell the body when to grow, how to process food for energy, when to start puberty, and even how to handle stress.
When these messages aren’t sent or received properly, things can become imbalanced. This can cause slow growth, the early onset of puberty, and fluctuating blood sugar levels.
A pediatric endocrinologist will examine your child’s medical history, family history, and lab tests to get a bigger picture.
What Conditions Does a Pediatric Endocrinologist in Montgomery County Treat?
These doctors treat a wide range of conditions, including:
- Growth disorders: Some kids grow slower while others seem to shoot up overnight. If your child’s growth pattern doesn’t match typical ranges, it could be caused by growth hormone levels.
- Childhood diabetes: Pediatric endocrinologists help manage both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. They work with families to teach insulin use, blood sugar monitoring, and the importance of lifestyle changes.
- Puberty timing: Puberty before age eight in girls and nine in boys is considered early. On the other hand, if a child hasn’t entered puberty by their mid-teens, there’s a good chance of hormone issues.
- Thyroid problems: An over- or underactive thyroid can affect energy levels, weight, mood, and even a child’s ability to concentrate.
- Adrenal disorders: The adrenal glands regulate blood pressure, stress hormones, and salt levels in the body. If the adrenal glands aren’t working properly, a child may experience fatigue, weight loss, and decreased appetite.
- Pituitary gland issues: This gland tells other glands what to do. If something is wrong with it, it can disrupt many hormone systems in the body at once.
When Should I Schedule an Appointment for My Child?
If your pediatrician notices something is off, they will refer you to a hormone specialist. Or maybe your parent intuition is telling you that something needs to be checked out.
Common reasons to see a pediatric endocrinologist in Montgomery County, MD, include:
- Your child’s growth is way ahead or far behind their peers
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Puberty has started too early or later than expected
- Ongoing mood changes or fatigue that are out of the normal
- A diabetes diagnosis
What Happens at an Appointment?
Kids, especially younger ones, may feel nervous about seeing a new doctor. Be sure to provide plenty of comfort and explain why they’re seeing an endocrinologist.
During your first appointment, the doctor will ask about your child’s growth, puberty signs, eating habits, and daily healthy history. They’re likely to perform a physical exam as well as order blood tests to check hormone levels.
Sometimes there’s an obvious diagnosis. For other children, the best course of action means keeping an eye on things and coming back for regular follow-up appointments.
Visit With Our Trusted Pediatric Endocrinologist in Montgomery County at Potomac Pediatrics
As a parent, you want peace of mind knowing your little one is healthy and meeting all milestones. If you’re worried about your child’s growth or development, the team at Potomac Pediatrics is here to help.
Contact us online for more information or call out office at 301-279-6750 to schedule an appointment with our pediatric endocrinologist in Montgomery County, MD.
