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19 years
My facial hair hasn't grown out yet and my voice hasn't thickened yet. Should I be concerned and visit an endocrinologist?
Oct 14, 2014

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
The definition of delayed puberty in males is: no testicular enlargement by age of 14 years or when more than five years have lapsed between initial and complete development of genitalia. In other words, we rely on assessment of development of genitalia as a measure of whether or not there is delay in puberty; delay in the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics usually follows a familial pattern, so if you ask around in your immediate family (father, uncles), you will most likely notice that they all had delay in these aspects as well.
My advice to you: get a routine check up whereby the physician obtains a full history (including that of possible chronic diseases that may interfere with the normal progress of puberty), family history, and a full physical examination including measurement of weight, height, staging of sexual development (as per the Tanner staging and measurement of the testicular volume). If any suspicion should arise, basic workup including a left hand and wrist X-ray (to evaluate bone age can be obtained at the initial visit to assess skeletal maturation. This will give an idea of the relationship between chronologic age and skeletal maturation) and sexual hormones can be done to further investigate the case.
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