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Beacon For Kids: Endocrinology

Beacon for Kids Endocrinology

Our Beacon for Kids Endocrinology Service provides specialist, patient-centred care for children and young people with a wide range of endocrine conditions. We work closely with GPs and families to support timely assessment, diagnosis and the development of personalised management plans. The service cares for children from as young as 6 weeks through to 16 years of age.

Our consultant-led team includes specialists in paediatric endocrinology, supported by experienced paediatric nurses and a wider multidisciplinary team. Together, we are committed to delivering comprehensive, family-centred care in a supportive and reassuring environment.

Conditions seen in Beacon For Kids Endocrinology Service

  • Genetic Conditions
  • Gaining Weight Too Quickly
  • Growth Concerns and Growth Hormone Deficiency
  • Gynecomastia
  • Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
  • Poor Weight Gain
  • Precocious Puberty (Early Puberty)
  • Primary and Secondary Amenorrhea (Absent Periods)

Contact Beacon For Kids

Phone
01 650 4665
Email
[email protected]

Conditions seen in Beacon For Kids Endocrinology Service

  • Genetic Conditions that affect growth, puberty and hormones

    • Some children may present with signs or symptoms of a genetic condition that may affect your child’s growth or development.
    • During your child’s consultation, the consultant will take a detailed medical history and carry out a clinical assessment. If there are any signs or symptoms suggestive of a genetic condition, such as Klinefelter syndrome or Noonan syndrome, this will be discussed with you.
    • Where appropriate, genetic blood tests may be recommended to help confirm or rule out a diagnosis. The purpose of these tests will be fully explained during your visit, and our team will be happy to answer any questions you or your child may have.

     

  • Gaining Weight Too Quickly

    • Some children may experience rapid or excessive weight gain and may benefit from assessment within the Endocrinology Service.
    • During your visit, a paediatric nurse will record your child’s height and weight and plot these on a growth chart. This information will be reviewed by your child’s consultant.
    • Your child’s consultant will take a detailed medical history and determine whether any further investigations are required. This may include blood tests, which will be fully explained to you, along with the reasons for these investigations.
    • Where appropriate, your consultant will discuss practical lifestyle measures that may support your child’s overall health and wellbeing.
    • A follow-up plan will be agreed, and you will be advised when your child should return for review.
    • In selected cases, your consultant may discuss the potential role of medical treatment to support weight management, outlining the benefits and considerations to help guide shared decision-making.

     

  • Growth Concerns and Growth Hormone Deficiency

    • Children may be referred to the Endocrinology service if there are concerns regarding their growth or development.
    • During your visit, a paediatric nurse will measure your child’s height and weight and plot these on a growth chart. You may also be asked for the biological parents’ heights, which helps assess your child’s expected growth range.
    • Your child’s consultant will take a detailed medical history and, where appropriate, carry out an examination. This may include an assessment of pubertal development, which will be fully explained in advance and only carried out with your consent. The paediatric nurse can also be present if you or your child wish.
    • In some cases, your consultant may recommend a period of observation, with a follow-up appointment to monitor your child’s growth over time.
    • If further assessment is required, investigations may be arranged. This can include a bone age X-ray (of the hand) to assess growth potential, often completed on the same day, as well as blood tests. All investigations will be clearly explained to you and your child.
    • If a diagnosis such as growth hormone deficiency is confirmed, your consultant will discuss appropriate treatment options and next steps with you and your child.

     

  • Gynaecomastia

    • Gynaecomastia is a common, benign condition seen in boys, most often during puberty. It occurs when breast tissue enlarges due to natural hormonal changes.
    • Some children may experience tenderness or swelling around the nipple area, while others may have no discomfort.
    • Your child’s consultant will carry out a clinical assessment and, where appropriate, discuss the diagnosis with both you and your child.
    • In most cases, gynaecomastia resolves naturally over time. However, if it persists or is causing distress, your consultant may recommend referral to a specialist surgeon for further evaluation.

     

  • Heavy Periods or Menstrual Bleeding

    • Heavy periods can be common during the teenage years, particularly as the body adjusts to hormonal changes.
    • A period occurs when the lining of the womb (uterus) sheds, resulting in bleeding from the vagina.
    • During adolescence, cycles are often anovulatory, meaning an egg is not released each month. This can cause the lining of the uterus to build up more than usual, leading to heavier bleeding.
    • If periods are very heavy from the outset, or are associated with symptoms such as easy bruising or prolonged bleeding from minor wounds, your doctor may recommend blood tests to assess for an underlying bleeding disorder.
    • Keeping a record of your menstrual cycle, including timing and flow, can be helpful. Bringing this information to your appointment will support your doctor in making an assessment.
    • A range of treatment options are available, including medications to reduce bleeding and hormonal therapies where appropriate.

     

  • Hyperthyroidism

    • Hyperthyroidism, also known as an overactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland produces higher than normal levels of thyroid hormones.
    • Symptoms can vary but may include weight loss, palpitations (a fast or irregular heartbeat), fatigue, anxiety, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and hair loss. You or child’s GP may also notice a swelling in the neck, known as a goitre, may also be present.
    • If your child’s GP has arranged blood tests prior to your appointment, please ensure a copy of the results is forwarded to the clinic in advance.
    • During your visit, your child’s consultant may recommend further blood tests. The purpose of these investigations will be clearly explained, and any questions you may have will be addressed.
    • If a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is confirmed, your child’s consultant will discuss the most appropriate treatment options with you and your child, ensuring a personalised and supportive care plan.

     

  • Hypothyroidism

    • Hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones to meet the body’s needs.
    • Symptoms may include tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, constipation, and in some cases, irregular menstrual cycles.
    • If your child’s GP has arranged blood tests prior to your appointment, please ensure a copy of the results is forwarded to the clinic in advance.
    • During the consultation, your child’s consultant may recommend further blood tests. These will be explained in detail at the time, along with the reasons for testing.
    • If a diagnosis of hypothyroidism is confirmed, your child’s consultant will discuss appropriate treatment options and ongoing management with you and your child.

     

  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS

    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition affecting people during their reproductive years.
    • Symptoms can vary and may include irregular, heavy or absent periods, excess body hair, acne, and thinning of scalp hair.
    • PCOS is estimated to affect around 1 in 10 young females.
    • Diagnosis is usually based on a combination of symptoms and blood tests, which may show raised hormone levels such as testosterone.
    • In adolescence, ultrasound is not used to diagnose PCOS, as it is normal for the ovaries to contain multiple follicles (polycystic ovarian morphology) within 8 years of the first period. Ultrasound may, however, be used to exclude other conditions with similar symptoms.
    • Diagnosis in teenage years can be complex, as symptoms such as acne and irregular periods are also common in adolescents during puberty.
    • Treatment is individualised and guided by symptoms and patient preference, and may include hormonal therapies and/or medications such as metformin where appropriate.

     

  • Poor Weight Gain

    • Concerns regarding a child’s weight or growth may be identified either by parents or by a healthcare professional.
    • In some cases, children may experience poor weight gain, and this will be assessed within the Endocrinology Service by both the consultant and paediatric nurse.
    • The paediatric nurse will measure your child’s height (if over 2 years) or length (if under 2 years), along with weight. These measurements will be plotted on a growth chart and reviewed with the consultant.
    • There are a number of potential causes for poor weight gain in children, including conditions such as coeliac disease. Your consultant will take a detailed history and may recommend blood tests where appropriate, explaining the rationale for these investigations to you and your child.
    • A follow-up plan will be agreed, and your consultant will advise when review in clinic is required.
    • In some cases, referral to a dietitian may be recommended to provide additional nutritional support where beneficial.

     

  • Precocious Puberty (Early Puberty)

    • Precocious puberty (early puberty) refers to signs of puberty occurring earlier than expected. This may include changes such as body odour, development of body hair, breast development, or being taller than peers.
    • If there are concerns about early puberty, your child may be referred to the Endocrinology Service by your GP or healthcare professional.
    • At the clinic visit, the paediatric nurse will measure your child’s height and weight and plot these on a growth chart. Parental heights may also be recorded to help calculate a mid-parental centile, which assists in assessing whether your child’s growth is within their expected range.
    • Your child’s consultant will take a detailed medical history and may carry out an examination to assess pubertal stage. This will always be explained in advance to both you and your child, and consent will be obtained. A paediatric nurse can be present during the examination if requested.
    • In some cases, the consultant may recommend a period of observation with follow-up in clinic to monitor growth and pubertal progression over time.
    • Further investigations may be required. This can include a bone age X-ray (a simple X-ray of the hand and wrist) to assess whether bone development is advanced or delayed. This can often be arranged on the same day if required.
    • Blood tests may also be recommended, and the rationale for these will be fully explained to you and your child.
    • If a diagnosis of precocious puberty is confirmed, your child’s consultant will discuss appropriate treatment options with you and your child in detail.

     

  • Primary and Secondary Amenorrhea (Absent Periods)

    • Most people will have their first period by around age 15. If a first period has not started by this age, this is known as primary amenorrhoea. Medical review is also recommended if there are no signs of puberty (such as breast development or pubic hair) by age 13.
    • In some cases, periods may start and then stop. If periods have previously been regular and then stop for six months or more, this is known as secondary amenorrhoea, and a medical assessment with your doctor is advised.
    • There are a number of possible reasons for absent periods. Your doctor may recommend blood tests and, in some cases, an ultrasound scan (a painless scan using gel on the abdomen) to help identify the cause.

     

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