Thanks for the compliment. In person I am very chatty - always getting cut off answering machines - but I seem to do better in writing.

Lately we have been doing blood draws more than 24 hour urine. My son’s endo prefers the blood draws - says they are a better indicator because the standard ranges for little kids have been better established. We have been fortunate to find someone who has been good at getting blood from Jack. I request her and it has been going a little better (though still traumatic). I expect we’ll go back to urine if it ever gets as difficult to get blood as it was a few years back.  (Side note, you must have an amazing memory!)

Jack’s dr. does a physical exam for height, weight, growth velocity, pigmentation, fat deposits (is he gaining weight just around the middle, in pockets like his hand pads, on the back of his neck/upper back, etc), testicular changes and puberty signs.

The blood test checks sodium, potassium, renin, 17 OHP, sometimes testosterone, and when we are really stumped, creatine.

Hope this helps.

It is nice to know others see weight gain with increases too. It is sometimes so frustrating because we try everything to keep him at a healthy weight - he is very active and we avoid sweets, fast food and highly processed foods, yet he outweighs his friends by 15 pounds. Ahh - the complicated CAH.

Take care.