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Does Oxandrolone Usage Promote Facial Bone Growth?

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Posted on Fri, 24 Jul 2015
Question: Dear Doctor,

I read that androgens cause bone growth. i took a derivative of androgen called oxandrolone to promote growth. Now i feel sad because maybe this oxandrolone caused my face bone to grow also...and face is permanent. Means permanent effect.

Or does face bone turn over rapidly ? in other words, has my face bone at age 14 been completely renewed by now ( ie now bone present now that was present at 14?)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

Thanks for the query.

I have read your query and understood your problem.

Yes, It is a fact that 'peak' facial bone growth ceases at about 14 years of age in males and about 6 months to a year earlier in females.

But this only related to the genetic programming of the facial skeleton and not the effect of hormones and other factors after the peak age.

Hormones can definitely change the facial skeleton shape but not suddenly and drastically. Oxandrolone is an androgen derivative. It is known to cause facial hair in women and increase the bone density. But there is no report of it changing the facial skeleton.

There is nothing to worry. You may have developed certain muscles better due to the effect of male hormone derivative which is all. Bulk of muscles tend to increase. It reduces the fat deposition over the face making it look more chiseled and also increase the thickness of the facial muscles. But there is no major effect on the facial bones, especially with medicine intake and also it would take decades to change face shape, like during ageing.

I would recommend you to once get tested for the androgens in your system and associated hormones like FSH, LH, Androstenedione, Free testosterone. This way you can confirm that you aren't taking excess of this hormone.

Eat healthy. Keep well hydrated. Exercise regularly to keep fit. Stay stress free with deep breathing exercises and Yoga.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (29 minutes later)
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX for your valued opinion,

You mentioned peak facial is 14.

For arguments sake, lets suppose i took the oxandrolone when i was 12 (before peak age 14). The therapy last 3 months, dosage 2.5mg daily.

Does this mean it played role in development of the facial bone?

If yes, is this new bone still present now at age 32, or has it already been replaced by new bone?

Thanks and Regards,
XXXXX

doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Remodelling is a lifelong process

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Thanks for the follow up query.

It you have taken Androgens during the facial growth time, then there would have been new bone formation to create more strong facial features. Also, Androgens give more 'time' for the face to develop strong features.

Once the face peak growth is over, only remodeling taken place of the already formed bone. So the shape will now or less remain the same as according the Age 14 and only consolidation and strengthening of the bones occur after that till old age when the bones remodel differently again.

I hope I have answered your query.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (44 minutes later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Whats the turnover rate of the newly formed bone...months, years?

i understand bone doesn't change after peak growth, but since bone is a living tissue the internal components must be getting replaced - but how often ie at what rate?

Thanks and Best regards XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Rate of remodelling can take months to years

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Thanks for the follow up query,

Bone turnover can take months to remodel. It depends on the nutrition status, hormonal levels, bone density, blood supply and genetic influences.

Bone shape does change even after peak growth which is why once we age around 60's or 70's, we notice that the chin gets prominent and the teeth get loose. This is because the bone density reduces as we age and also increased breakdown of bone and less re-building of the bone.

The rate of remodelling is usually months to years.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

I have one last follow up question.

As per your kind advice, 14 years is cut off age for growth of face. But I read that mandibular component grows until 19. Which is correct?

Secondly point about remodelling, has all the bone in my face at age 14 already been completely replaced by 'newer' bone?

Thanks and wish u all the best
XXXXX

doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Remodelling

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Facial bone growth continues throughout life by remodelling process.

Mandibular bone growth continues till death and not just stop at 19 years of age.


The bones formed on your face will keep changing shape according to genetic factors and hormonal effect. It means only shape changes and bone does not get replaced as such.

I hope I have answered your query.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (2 hours later)
But i thought bone does completely renew itself ... and surely this must include facial bones also?

Secondly, many studies state low dose oxandrolone and low dose testosterone given to delayed growth children ( like myself) causes growth possibly in long bones. However, in the testosterone group the craniofacial bones grow also. Kindly see link for reference

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/0000

My question: Unlike in the testosterone group where all bones see growth, is it possible for oxandrolone group its effect is limited to long bones only?

Please advise

Best Regards
XXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Bone length change only till epiphyseal closure

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Androgens can affect long bone growth only until the epiphyseal closure. This happens at respective ages upto 25 years age, varying for each bone.

After closure of epiphyses then there is no chance in change of the length of any bone.

This means that after the respective ages of epiphyseal closure, only minor effect on bone is recognised by hormones, like bone density changes, rather than change in length.

I hope I have answered your query.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (37 minutes later)
thanks again

whats the bone turnover rate in craniofacial and mandibular bone?

How much percentage per year?

Many thanks

doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
10% per year, faster in trabecular facial bones

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

I did a bit of reading online Medical Journals and have arrived at this.

In adult age group, the bone turnover is about 10% and it is faster in trabecular bone of the face and mandible. This means the bone of the entire human skeleton including the face gets renewed every 10 years.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available for follow up queries.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (49 minutes later)
Dear Dr. Thanks alot, one final question regarding abstract below:


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/0000


Since both testosterone and its weak derivative oxandrolone BOTH promote growth in long bones directly, does this mean their influence on other bones is also similiar ( ie face) ??

doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, Long bones are more sensitive to androgens

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Yes, Testosterone affect both the cortical and trabecular bone, but androgen targets the growing end of long bones preferably due to faster growth potential at the epiphyseal region.

The rates of remodelling have not been clearly ascertained as of yet. Hopefully, new studies will help us gauge into the new depths for future research.

I hope I have answered your query.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (48 minutes later)
I see.

Ok, lets suppose the oxandrolone lead to an increase in my long bones....did it lead to relative increase in face bones also?

Or is its effect site dependant ??

Thank you for your valued advice, i wish to close after this.

All my best
XXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

As mentioned in my last correspondence, that long bones respond more to Androgens BUT only till their age of epiphyseal closure. Same the case with Facial skeleton but there is more growth from long bones than membranous bones like face.

I hope I have answered your query.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Aashish Raghu

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 5482 Questions

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Does Oxandrolone Usage Promote Facial Bone Growth?

Brief Answer: Nothing to worry Detailed Answer: Hi there. Welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for the query. I have read your query and understood your problem. Yes, It is a fact that 'peak' facial bone growth ceases at about 14 years of age in males and about 6 months to a year earlier in females. But this only related to the genetic programming of the facial skeleton and not the effect of hormones and other factors after the peak age. Hormones can definitely change the facial skeleton shape but not suddenly and drastically. Oxandrolone is an androgen derivative. It is known to cause facial hair in women and increase the bone density. But there is no report of it changing the facial skeleton. There is nothing to worry. You may have developed certain muscles better due to the effect of male hormone derivative which is all. Bulk of muscles tend to increase. It reduces the fat deposition over the face making it look more chiseled and also increase the thickness of the facial muscles. But there is no major effect on the facial bones, especially with medicine intake and also it would take decades to change face shape, like during ageing. I would recommend you to once get tested for the androgens in your system and associated hormones like FSH, LH, Androstenedione, Free testosterone. This way you can confirm that you aren't taking excess of this hormone. Eat healthy. Keep well hydrated. Exercise regularly to keep fit. Stay stress free with deep breathing exercises and Yoga. I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries. Regards, Dr. Aashish Raghu