"I Finally Fit Into Hollister": What Growth Treatment Really Means to a Tween Girl

She was quiet when I first met her—a 12-year-old girl who barely made eye contact as she sat in my office beside her mom. Petite. Shy. Still comfortably in that childhood stage while her classmates were quickly leaving it behind.

Her mom had brought her in after years of hearing things like, "She’s probably just small," or "Let’s wait and see." But something inside her told her it was more than that. Her daughter wasn’t just on the small side—she was falling behind on the growth curve entirely.

We did a full evaluation and, yes—there was a growth hormone deficiency. And while her pediatrician hadn’t been wrong to keep an eye on things, the clock was ticking. In growth medicine, timing matters.

That was nine months ago. She's 13 now. And a few weeks ago, she came into my office beaming.

“I went to Hollister with my friends,” she told me. “And I actually fit into the clothes. I bought a hoodie. Size XXS—but I fit!”

That moment nearly brought tears to her mom’s eyes—and mine too. Because hormone therapy didn’t just change her height. It changed how she felt in her body. It gave her confidence, freedom, joy.

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When You're the One Noticing Something Others Might Miss

Sometimes it’s the little things we catch—the sleeves that haven’t gotten shorter, the pants that still fit from last spring, the unspoken worry behind our child’s eyes.

And sometimes, it’s the wondering: Am I overthinking? Should I just wait?

If you’re here, it means you’re paying attention. And that’s where everything starts.

Here’s what I want you to know:

🌱 Your concern is valid.
You don’t need permission to ask questions. If your gut is whispering that something isn’t right, it’s worth listening.

🌿 You’re not being dramatic—you’re being a parent.
We hear this all the time: “I didn’t want to seem like I was making a big deal out of it.”
But noticing a change in your child’s body, or sensing that something’s off—that’s your superpower, not a flaw.

🌼 There are answers.
We can look at growth patterns, run tests, and take time to really understand what’s happening. Whether it’s something or nothing, you’ll know. And that knowing is everything.

🌻 There’s still time.
Growth treatment isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about gentle support in the right window. The earlier we know, the more options your child has to feel strong, confident, and understood.

Let’s figure it out, slowly and kindly.
Because when a child feels seen, they stand a little taller—inside and out.

Warmly,
Dr. Penny