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Is It Possible To Increase Height With Growth Hormone Treatment?

Posted on Mon, 8 Sep 2014

Question: Is it possible for me to reach 6'1-6'3 with growth hormone treatment?
I am currently 5'7, and I was supposed to grow to 6'2-6'3 according to my 0-13-year-old growth curve (95-97th percentile of height). I am currently 18, but could I reach 6'0-6'3 with growth hormone treatment.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Good day.
Noted your concern.
At 13 yrs, you were in your pubertal phase of growth and the peak growth occurs durin that time which lasts for 3-4 years. Your height is largely based on your parents height. Could you provide your dad's and Mom's heght in cm ?
Any blood tests done on you ?
Until around 18-20 years, some linear bone growth can take place. You may need an xray of your left hand and wrist to assess bone age and also to see if the epiphysis has been fused or not. If your growth plates have allready fused, then the chances of further linear growth with growth hormone is very less. If it hasnt fused, then there may be some height gain.

Have you done any blood test like Thyroid functions, IGF-1 or GH stimulation test etc?

Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (7 minutes later)

I am sorry for not including that information. IGF-1 tests have shown that I am deficient in HGH, and my mother and father are 5'6-5'7 and 6'0-6'1 respectively. My family doctor claims that I could grow another four inches, but j wants an outside opinion.
Dad: 184 cm
Mom: 168 cm

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Thank you.
As per your parents' height, your predicted height is 182.5 +/- 10 cm. So your range of predicted height is between 172.5 to 192.5 cm. Your final height may fall in this range. You are now approx 172-173 cm. So have reached with in the predicted range.

Do you have an Xray of left hand and wrist?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (6 minutes later)

No, but I have been scheduled for one. Other doctors have told me that bone age can be delayed if one has growth hormone deficiency, though; is this true?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Yes, the bone age can be delayed if you have GH deficiency. But a single value of low IGF-1 is not enought to start GH treatment. You need a thyroid function test, your testosterone levels, GH stimulation test and Xrays

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (31 minutes later)

I have taken an IGF-1 test, a testosterone bloodworm test, a GH stimulation test, and I am scheduled for an x-Ray. Would four inches of growth (or more) be feasible if growth plates are open?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
It is based on the bone age. Some growth is possible if the epiphyses are open.. 4 inches is probably very difficult to achieve at this age unless the bone age is very delayed. Because GH treatment also matures the bone age and cause fusion of growth plates.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (10 hours later)

I see. What is your opinion on limb lengthening, such as done by Dr. Dror Paley, to recover those lost inches?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
Before resorting to those kind of desperate measures, please let me know what is your current bone age,? Is the epiphysis open? What is the IGF-1 level and what did the GH stimulation show? Please attach the reports if you have them.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (6 hours later)

I have not taken x-rays yet, and my doctor's office was closed today, so I couldn't get my IGF results (I'll have them tomorrow), but I'll attatch results to my stimulation test and testosterone.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Good day.
Got 2 attachments. Both are same. I couldnt see GH stimulation report. Your testosterone and thyroid function seems good. Howver, fasting sugar and HbA1c are just on the high side. You may need to reduce weight and start exercise.

I will await the IGF-1, GH stiulation and Xray images. When you upload the xray, please make sure that the wrist and entire hand are visible.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (8 minutes later)

I uploaded the GH stimulation test. Sorry, but I couldn't edit the name from "image.jpg".

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Got three attachments. They are same. A single GH value of < 0.1 ng/ml.

This looks like a single time GH value ( all 3 reports say collected at 11.30 Am) , but doesn not look like a stimulation test. A random GH has no relevance.

How was the stimulation done and what method was used? Clonidine/ Indulin hypoglycemia etc??. The stimulation test is not just a single test, but a series of GH values will be there.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar