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How To Grow Taller At The Age Of 15?
Question: My son is highly upset. I am 6 3 and mom is 5 2. He was always told that he would be 5 10 or so. He is 15 next month. A specialist told him his bone age is around 16.5 and expect little to no growth. Half inch at most. He is 5 foot 5 inches. This is really short in his eyes and feels depressed. The dr. will not prescribe any hgh. All information was based on wrist x ray. He would like to grow 2 more inches to feel normal. I think he understands 5 10 is not possible.
After researching and talking to other specialist on the phone and via internet we found that some think hgh give him a shot at growning two more inches. My questions are:
1. Will hgh work for 2 inches if the wrist plate is closing but not fused all the way
2. Could you give hgh and monitor closely and stop if it does not work without any side effects
3. some have said long bones and still grow because those plates may not be closed at this point
4. can you give medication to slow progression of plates closing
5. is there anything to loose at this point other than money
Would love to at least give him a shot at growing to more inches. thanks
After researching and talking to other specialist on the phone and via internet we found that some think hgh give him a shot at growning two more inches. My questions are:
1. Will hgh work for 2 inches if the wrist plate is closing but not fused all the way
2. Could you give hgh and monitor closely and stop if it does not work without any side effects
3. some have said long bones and still grow because those plates may not be closed at this point
4. can you give medication to slow progression of plates closing
5. is there anything to loose at this point other than money
Would love to at least give him a shot at growing to more inches. thanks
Brief Answer:
Suggestions
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
Your height is 6.3 ( 192 cm) and wife's height is 158.5 cm.
So calculated average expected height for your son is 181.7 cm ( 5.9). However there could be +/- 10 cm difference. Which means that the range of expected height gain of your son is between 171.7 cm to 191.7 cm. So he has a genetic potential of reaching up to 181.7 cm and if conditions favour even up to 191.7 cm.
We need to do few blood tests in him first. I would also like to know if he
a) has entered puberty yet? ( broken voice, facial/axilla/pubic hair etc)
b) Did he have a height acceleration during early puberty??
Maximum height gain is during puberty. hGH is used for growth hormone deficiency and also for few selected indications. Off label, it is also used for idiopathic short stature and for familial short stature. You need to discuss with your local endocriologist about it and few blood tests have to be done before that.
Please be aware that wrist Xray give a clus of bone age, but spine may still continue to grow for few more years. So please do not lose hope.
Apart from growth hormone deficiency, several other factors play an important role in the growth of a child. Male and female hormones ( testo and estrogen), Thyroid hormones, calcium, vitamin D, etc also influence growth . Besides, good nutrition and active exercise favours growth at this age. We need to rule out nutritional deficiencies in any child who is not growing well.
May i recommend few tests?
1. CBC and urine routine and Vitamin B12.
2. Fasting sugar, Serum creatinine, Blood urea,Electrolytes, Liver function test.
3) Thyroid blood profile.
4) IGF-1 and IGF-BP3 ( please do it only if thyroid blood profile is normal)
5) Fasting calcium, Phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and Vitamin D levels
6) Fasting serum testosterone ( this may not be necessary if clinical examination is normal).
Answers to your specefic questions:
1. Will hgh work for 2 inches if the wrist plate is closing but not fused all the way.
It may. There are specefic indications for HGH use. But sometimes endo may use it offlabel. But most docs do not want to use if there is no GH deficiency.
2. Could you give hgh and monitor closely and stop if it does not work without any side effects.
Yes. if opted for hGH, close monitoring is required. If sufficienct height acceleration doesnt take place, we need to suspect reisitance to HGH or that growth plate has fused.
3. some have said long bones and still grow because those plates may not be closed at this point
Yes, as i mentioned earlier, spine and long bones of legs may still grow. May need Xray of knees as well to look at that aspect.
4. can you give medication to slow progression of plates closing.
Yes. Aromatase inhibitors like Letrozole is used to prevent conversion of testosterone to estrogen.. Estrogen is responsible for plate closure.
5. is there anything to loose at this point other than money.
There is nothing to lose. There is still hope. Please take him to a pediatric /adolescent endocrinologist for fuher assessment. Other docs my not be trained enough to give a good advice.
Regards
Binu
Suggestions
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
Your height is 6.3 ( 192 cm) and wife's height is 158.5 cm.
So calculated average expected height for your son is 181.7 cm ( 5.9). However there could be +/- 10 cm difference. Which means that the range of expected height gain of your son is between 171.7 cm to 191.7 cm. So he has a genetic potential of reaching up to 181.7 cm and if conditions favour even up to 191.7 cm.
We need to do few blood tests in him first. I would also like to know if he
a) has entered puberty yet? ( broken voice, facial/axilla/pubic hair etc)
b) Did he have a height acceleration during early puberty??
Maximum height gain is during puberty. hGH is used for growth hormone deficiency and also for few selected indications. Off label, it is also used for idiopathic short stature and for familial short stature. You need to discuss with your local endocriologist about it and few blood tests have to be done before that.
Please be aware that wrist Xray give a clus of bone age, but spine may still continue to grow for few more years. So please do not lose hope.
Apart from growth hormone deficiency, several other factors play an important role in the growth of a child. Male and female hormones ( testo and estrogen), Thyroid hormones, calcium, vitamin D, etc also influence growth . Besides, good nutrition and active exercise favours growth at this age. We need to rule out nutritional deficiencies in any child who is not growing well.
May i recommend few tests?
1. CBC and urine routine and Vitamin B12.
2. Fasting sugar, Serum creatinine, Blood urea,Electrolytes, Liver function test.
3) Thyroid blood profile.
4) IGF-1 and IGF-BP3 ( please do it only if thyroid blood profile is normal)
5) Fasting calcium, Phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and Vitamin D levels
6) Fasting serum testosterone ( this may not be necessary if clinical examination is normal).
Answers to your specefic questions:
1. Will hgh work for 2 inches if the wrist plate is closing but not fused all the way.
It may. There are specefic indications for HGH use. But sometimes endo may use it offlabel. But most docs do not want to use if there is no GH deficiency.
2. Could you give hgh and monitor closely and stop if it does not work without any side effects.
Yes. if opted for hGH, close monitoring is required. If sufficienct height acceleration doesnt take place, we need to suspect reisitance to HGH or that growth plate has fused.
3. some have said long bones and still grow because those plates may not be closed at this point
Yes, as i mentioned earlier, spine and long bones of legs may still grow. May need Xray of knees as well to look at that aspect.
4. can you give medication to slow progression of plates closing.
Yes. Aromatase inhibitors like Letrozole is used to prevent conversion of testosterone to estrogen.. Estrogen is responsible for plate closure.
5. is there anything to loose at this point other than money.
There is nothing to lose. There is still hope. Please take him to a pediatric /adolescent endocrinologist for fuher assessment. Other docs my not be trained enough to give a good advice.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
We did see a specialist last week. We are currently running blood tests. Not sure all was included but he wants to rule out any deficiencies.
He has entered puberty and did hit a growth spurt. According to specialist he hit puberty early and is on the down side with limited growth potential.
Thanks for the answers. You have been the most helpful at this point.
My follow up questions are:
1. The specialist did not want to take knee or leg x ray. He said it would be of no value. Should be go get a leg x ray? If so, What long bone x rays would be best? Knee, hip, or etc.?
2. If long bones plates are still open, will hgh increase chances of growth?
3. the specialist said he was on a XXXXXXX scale of 4 to 5. Even so, could the hgh improve height in the spinal cord or torso area?
4. How to you acquire the letrozole? is it by prescription only? or over the counter? Is there any side effects to letrozole? Is it injected or taken orally?
5. Is GnRH the same type of drug as letrozole? We have researched that GnRH will suppress puberty? Any side effects to GnRH? How is that taken?
6. Any side effects of HGH at this point if monitored closely? The specialist said it may cause him to "balloon" instead of grown taller. He only weights 125 and I see no downside. If he starts ballooning then we could stop taking.
7. If HGH was started, how long would it take to see if works? 3 months? 6 months?
8. How would you determine dosage?
thank you very much
not sure if my follow up question went through. so typing again. We are currently waiting on blood results.
XXXXXXX is 4 plus. per the specialist
Basically he hit puberty early.
great answers from my previous questions. As a followup, I have some more.
1. the specialist did not want to take x ray of long bones or knees. not sure why. said it would not matter?? what is best long bones or growth plates to x ray other than the wrist?
2. if long bones are not fused will hgh help? say bone age of 16?
3. the specialist said he was on a XXXXXXX scale of 4 plus? can the spinal cord or torso add height?
4. how do you acquire letrozole? is it by prescripton? oral or injections? How do you know the dosage to take? any side effects with it?
5. does creatine slow the closing plate or puberty phase?
6. any side effects of hgh? specialist said it would probably cause him to "balloon" and not gain height? Could u not stop the hgh if that starts?
7. if taking hgh how long would it take to tell if it was gonna make a difference?
8. how would you determine dosage of hgh if able to get a prescription?
thanks for all the help
He has entered puberty and did hit a growth spurt. According to specialist he hit puberty early and is on the down side with limited growth potential.
Thanks for the answers. You have been the most helpful at this point.
My follow up questions are:
1. The specialist did not want to take knee or leg x ray. He said it would be of no value. Should be go get a leg x ray? If so, What long bone x rays would be best? Knee, hip, or etc.?
2. If long bones plates are still open, will hgh increase chances of growth?
3. the specialist said he was on a XXXXXXX scale of 4 to 5. Even so, could the hgh improve height in the spinal cord or torso area?
4. How to you acquire the letrozole? is it by prescription only? or over the counter? Is there any side effects to letrozole? Is it injected or taken orally?
5. Is GnRH the same type of drug as letrozole? We have researched that GnRH will suppress puberty? Any side effects to GnRH? How is that taken?
6. Any side effects of HGH at this point if monitored closely? The specialist said it may cause him to "balloon" instead of grown taller. He only weights 125 and I see no downside. If he starts ballooning then we could stop taking.
7. If HGH was started, how long would it take to see if works? 3 months? 6 months?
8. How would you determine dosage?
thank you very much
not sure if my follow up question went through. so typing again. We are currently waiting on blood results.
XXXXXXX is 4 plus. per the specialist
Basically he hit puberty early.
great answers from my previous questions. As a followup, I have some more.
1. the specialist did not want to take x ray of long bones or knees. not sure why. said it would not matter?? what is best long bones or growth plates to x ray other than the wrist?
2. if long bones are not fused will hgh help? say bone age of 16?
3. the specialist said he was on a XXXXXXX scale of 4 plus? can the spinal cord or torso add height?
4. how do you acquire letrozole? is it by prescripton? oral or injections? How do you know the dosage to take? any side effects with it?
5. does creatine slow the closing plate or puberty phase?
6. any side effects of hgh? specialist said it would probably cause him to "balloon" and not gain height? Could u not stop the hgh if that starts?
7. if taking hgh how long would it take to tell if it was gonna make a difference?
8. how would you determine dosage of hgh if able to get a prescription?
thanks for all the help
Brief Answer:
Answers
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the reply.
Good to know that blood tests are being arranged. That may show us some direction.
Coming to your questions.
1. the specialist did not want to take x ray of long bones or knees. not sure why. said it would not matter?? what is best long bones or growth plates to x ray other than the wrist?
Answer: In most cases, Xray of the wrist will give us the bone age. It is a fact that long bones will continue to grow for some more time after the wrist bones fuse. It is not a common practice to do Xrays of long bones. But some old school endocrinology professors still look at Xray of knees. I must admit that even i do not do Xrays other than wrist.
2. if long bones are not fused will hgh help? say bone age of 16?
Answer: In growth hormone deficiency, we usually give hGH once the growth velocity is less than 2 cm a year or when bone age reach around 16-17 years. However, your son's case is not Gh deficiency. As i mentioned earlier, it is not licenced to use hGH in your son's case as there are no defenite recommended indications. But we may try it off label out of desperation.
3. the specialist said he was on a XXXXXXX scale of 4 plus? can the spinal cord or torso add height?:
Aswer: Most of the height is acquired in early to mid puberty, say around 13-15 years and after that, height gain is slower.Spine and leg bones continue to grow till 18-20 years but at a very slow pace.
4. how do you acquire letrozole? is it by prescripton? oral or injections? How do you know the dosage to take? any side effects with it?
Answer: Letrozole is an alternate option which delays fusion of bone with epiphyses. It needs a prescription. It is oral and usually it is once a day. Not many side effects in clinical practice in boys .
5. does creatine slow the closing plate or puberty phase?
Answer: I didnt get this question right. Did you mean creatinine?? Creatinine is an indicator of kidney funtion. Kidney failure can cause growth failure.
6. any side effects of hgh? specialist said it would probably cause him to "balloon" and not gain height? Could u not stop the hgh if that starts?
Answer: There are few side effects of hGH. But they are uncommon. After the bone fuses with growth plates, hGH will not make the bone grow upwards, but bone will grow sideways. Yes, we can stop HGH if that happens.
7. if taking hgh how long would it take to tell if it was gonna make a difference?
Answer: any detectable change will take minimum 4 to 6 months.
8. how would you determine dosage of hgh if able to get a prescription?
Answer: Unfortunately i can not discuss the dose due to legal restrictions of online answering. Dose is different for different use ( example: different dose for Gh dficiency, renal failure, Turner's syndrome in girls etc).
Answers
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the reply.
Good to know that blood tests are being arranged. That may show us some direction.
Coming to your questions.
1. the specialist did not want to take x ray of long bones or knees. not sure why. said it would not matter?? what is best long bones or growth plates to x ray other than the wrist?
Answer: In most cases, Xray of the wrist will give us the bone age. It is a fact that long bones will continue to grow for some more time after the wrist bones fuse. It is not a common practice to do Xrays of long bones. But some old school endocrinology professors still look at Xray of knees. I must admit that even i do not do Xrays other than wrist.
2. if long bones are not fused will hgh help? say bone age of 16?
Answer: In growth hormone deficiency, we usually give hGH once the growth velocity is less than 2 cm a year or when bone age reach around 16-17 years. However, your son's case is not Gh deficiency. As i mentioned earlier, it is not licenced to use hGH in your son's case as there are no defenite recommended indications. But we may try it off label out of desperation.
3. the specialist said he was on a XXXXXXX scale of 4 plus? can the spinal cord or torso add height?:
Aswer: Most of the height is acquired in early to mid puberty, say around 13-15 years and after that, height gain is slower.Spine and leg bones continue to grow till 18-20 years but at a very slow pace.
4. how do you acquire letrozole? is it by prescripton? oral or injections? How do you know the dosage to take? any side effects with it?
Answer: Letrozole is an alternate option which delays fusion of bone with epiphyses. It needs a prescription. It is oral and usually it is once a day. Not many side effects in clinical practice in boys .
5. does creatine slow the closing plate or puberty phase?
Answer: I didnt get this question right. Did you mean creatinine?? Creatinine is an indicator of kidney funtion. Kidney failure can cause growth failure.
6. any side effects of hgh? specialist said it would probably cause him to "balloon" and not gain height? Could u not stop the hgh if that starts?
Answer: There are few side effects of hGH. But they are uncommon. After the bone fuses with growth plates, hGH will not make the bone grow upwards, but bone will grow sideways. Yes, we can stop HGH if that happens.
7. if taking hgh how long would it take to tell if it was gonna make a difference?
Answer: any detectable change will take minimum 4 to 6 months.
8. how would you determine dosage of hgh if able to get a prescription?
Answer: Unfortunately i can not discuss the dose due to legal restrictions of online answering. Dose is different for different use ( example: different dose for Gh dficiency, renal failure, Turner's syndrome in girls etc).
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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