Our 8 year old has been experiencing tingling that started ...

Hi,

I hope the information that I provide you with will help. I'm a psychologist and have worked with adolescent children for many years in residential treatment. I am only telling you this so that you will understand in this job environment it is as though they are your children because you nearly live with them. At least you go home to sleep!

There have been many children that I have had in my care that had a thyroid and/or growth hormone deficiency as well. Though the tingling sensations that you are describing can't be confirmed by your endocrenologist as being related to the medications that your son is taking, I believe that they are.

The human brain is a wonderful and yet mysterious thing. When we prescribe growth hormones to a patient it is actually affecting the brain. It is as though it is giving it a charge and it is noted in patients. What is happening is the GH level in your son were very low; and, adding supplements "so to speak" functions as a regenerator. An example that I can think of to help you conceptualize this would be the Philodendron. The Philodendrun is frequently abused by people because it is such a hardy plant. They are frequently underwatered because they don't show signs of distress until they have reached death's door. They are so limp and lifeless that many people think they are dead and throw them away. Then, there are those that know that if you add a little water, voila, the plant regenerates (or appear to as it never died).

This is similar to brain activity when a neurotransmitter that has been functioning in a depressed state becomes excited after being introduced to a booster (growth hormone). All of a sudden it begins to dance! I can't inform you as to whether or not it's a waltz, disco or break dancing. But activity that wasn't noticed before is happening!

And yes, even though growth hormones are produced in and known as a member of the endocrine system, no system can function without direction from the brain.

If this answer is helpful to you then please do accept. Posiitve feedback is also appreciated. Let me know if I can help you further.

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Terri L. Romaker

Thanks for your answer. My question is this--How can he be experiencing these effects of the genotropin now when he has been on it for over 7 years? His body does not produce any growth hormone on its own, and he has been taking a shot every day for over 7 years. How can we be sure that it is the genotropin, and what can we do to give him relief?

Now I understand why your endocrinologist is not certain as to whether or not the two are related. You see medical science hasn't proven that the two are related. I was just basing my thoughts on the fact that I have seen this in many of the young adolescents that I work with.

I would take him to another neurologist. I know that you said he has already seen one, in addition to an orthopedic neurosurgeon but a second opinion will sometimes pay off.

I'm certain that by now you are feeling helpless for your son. I am a parent also. To see one of our children in duress and not be able to "fix" it, leaves us emotionally drained.

Though you may have allready sone so, ask your neurologist to refer you to university studies that are examining this. Sometimes it is newer medicine that will bring us to the answers we need.

If this information has been helpful then please ACCEPT.

Let me know if I can help you further.

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Terri L. Romaker