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Can Growth Hormones Be Prescribed To A Teenager With Older Bone Age?

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Posted on Mon, 31 Jul 2023
Question: My son is 13. He will be 14 in 2 months. He is a little over 5'2". He is 5' 2.25" Last year we had blood test for height conditions and he was normal. But last year his bone age test showed his bones were 6 months to a year older than his real age. I am 5' 10.5" and my wife is 5'8". Should we be exploring growth hormone? Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:

You can start exploring

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

You can explore growth hormone but only under the guidance of a trained endocrinologist.

Things can become messy unless properly handled and you need to remember that at this age the scope of significant height gain is impractical. Nevertheless, you can give it a try.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (24 minutes later)
Thank you. I have a hard time reading the charts. Will he probably end up about 5'6" if we do not use growth hormone?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:

Might be even lesser

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I am not sure whether it would be that much.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (10 hours later)
So you think he is probably done growing?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:

Window is rather short

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The growth of the long bones occurs at its ends known as epiphysis (plural epiphyses).

After fusion of the epiphyses no further growth in height will occur irrespective of how much growth hormone you give. Complete fusion of ephyphyses of long bones in males occurs as early as 14 years.

It is only in a minor section that this may extend to as long as 19 years.

So, the window left is rather short. Growth observed in 4-8 years of growth hormone treatment is hardly 5-6 cm. So, even with growth hormone treatment, only a fraction of this would be attained in the time at hand.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3877 Questions

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Can Growth Hormones Be Prescribed To A Teenager With Older Bone Age?

Brief Answer: You can start exploring Detailed Answer: Hello, You can explore growth hormone but only under the guidance of a trained endocrinologist. Things can become messy unless properly handled and you need to remember that at this age the scope of significant height gain is impractical. Nevertheless, you can give it a try. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician