<p>Weight loss can also be a sign of type one diabetes. She sounds like she’s at a healthy weight now, but best be safe and have the bloodwork checked out.</p>
<p>Stress can cause irregular cycles, and weight loss. I can easily see someone 15 yrs old over the next year becoming busier with academic expectations and social obligations that affect their menstrual cycles. Increasing activity and possibly taste buds changing also could affect weight. Losing 12 lbs over one year is only one lb a month. Not really a sudden weight loss. Decreasing body fat as she becomes more athletic might also cause lighter periods, but it is something to mention to the Dr.
Perhaps she is simply improving her diet, & doesn’t crave the sugary type things children often like.
My kids saw pediatricians till they were 18/19, then they saw family practice docs.
As I mentioned above, I did not have regular periods until I increased body fat, around when I was in my 40s. I didnt have any trouble getting pg & still have normal regular periods @ 55.</p>
<p>LasMa,</p>
<p>It is my understanding that internists don’t see anyone under the age of 18, so this teen wouldn’t be able to switch from her ped. dr to an internist. Her only other choice would be a family doctor. And, ped dr’s will see young adults through the age of 21, allowing the young adult time to adjust to adulthood and time to investigate which “adult” dr they may want to go to.</p>
<p>About the cycles—a certain fat level is needed, along with physical maturity, to maintain a regular cycle. While there are variances to everything, hitting 100 lbs is about ‘average’ for a girl to start menstruating. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that 140 lb girl going to 108 lbs would have some disruption in her menstrual cycle. Look around at any given middle school, pull out 100 girls that are 13-14 years old and most of them are going to be a little pudgy–not fat, just gearing up/experiencing puberty. Take those same girls when they are 16-17 and most of them would have naturally slimmed down and would look “skinny”. It’s very similar to want the 50 year old woman goes through before menopause–putting on those extra pound to get your body ready for menopause.</p>
<p>I still think a physical is in order, however, I don’t think that an eating disorder is always the “cause” for this kind of weigh loss in a 16 year old.</p>
<p>We switched our DD to a female internist when she was 16. Most of her friends no longer see pediatricians. Also, unless this girl is sexually active, there is no reason for an pap or gyn exam.</p>
<p>OP, do post an update when you have one. I hope your daughter is fine, and if she isn’t, I hope she gets help and recovers. She clearly has an observant and loving mother as an ally.
MomOf3, thank you for the PM; I couldn’t reply because apparently you need 15 posts to send messages.</p>
<p>“Oldmom”: she sounds pretty normal to me (as someone who’s 5’2" and passed 100lb a long time ago) Once upon a time, the rule of thumb for women was 100# for 5 feet and 5 pounds for every inch over that. A lot depends on her bone structure–in my family we run slight. </p>
<p>Still, you’ve got to dump that “obese” pediatrician. I’m in NYC too and have someone to recommend who specializes in adolescent girls, if you’d like to PM me. FWIW, I sought this dr. out because my D (now 17), was 5’ 6" and 94lbs. Now THAT was too skinny and our previous pediatrician was oblivious. It’s been a struggle but 3 years later, she’s gained 20lbs, the period started and she grew nearly 2 inches. Unlike me she possesses a metabolism that burns everything immediately and has to concentrate hard on getting enough to eat. There isn’t one standard that applies to everyone, but this may be your last opportunity to make sure everything is working correctly, because once she heads off to college, it will be out of your hands.</p>