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Is It Advisable For A Teenager To Take Anastrozole For Three Years To Improve Bone Growth And Overall Height?
Question: My son just turned 14. His endocrinologist says he has a bone age of 14.5. The radiologist says 14.0.
His height is 5'3.5". His weight is 130 pounds. My wife and I are taller than average. My wife is 5'8" and I am 5'10.5". How tall do you think my son will be?
The endocrinologist is recommending that my son take Anastrozole for three years to make sure his growth plates do not close. Does that make sense to you?
All his blood tests all came back normal.
His height is 5'3.5". His weight is 130 pounds. My wife and I are taller than average. My wife is 5'8" and I am 5'10.5". How tall do you think my son will be?
The endocrinologist is recommending that my son take Anastrozole for three years to make sure his growth plates do not close. Does that make sense to you?
All his blood tests all came back normal.
Brief Answer:
He will grow five to six inches more over the time
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
According to your description, your boy has attained his growth potential and there is no running behind his expected height.
A normal boy's growth stops at the age of 18–20 but in some exceptional cases boys grow up to 21 years of age. That means he has got five to seven more years to gain more height. Most probably he will grow five to six inches more. Keep in mind that his expected height is between 5’6’’ to 5’11’’ according to parental height.
Anastrasole can increase the predicted height, but it is generally used for kids with growth hormone deficiency. In normal children it is not recommended as it is unnatural and may have adverse effects.
As of now you can wait and serial follow up only required. Wishing all the best.
Regards
He will grow five to six inches more over the time
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
According to your description, your boy has attained his growth potential and there is no running behind his expected height.
A normal boy's growth stops at the age of 18–20 but in some exceptional cases boys grow up to 21 years of age. That means he has got five to seven more years to gain more height. Most probably he will grow five to six inches more. Keep in mind that his expected height is between 5’6’’ to 5’11’’ according to parental height.
Anastrasole can increase the predicted height, but it is generally used for kids with growth hormone deficiency. In normal children it is not recommended as it is unnatural and may have adverse effects.
As of now you can wait and serial follow up only required. Wishing all the best.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you doctor. Would it make sense to get a bone age xray done every 4 months, and then if my son is still short, to then do anastroloze?
Brief Answer:
Yearly follow up is required.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You can do yearly follow up. In my opinion anastrazole is not needed for him. Anastrozole is a double edged sword. It can cause serious side effects like increased risk of cardiac problems and osteoporosis. It’s an hormonal drug works by blocking the creation of estrogen. It might affect his sexual development also. So he is nearing his expected height, and let’s wait.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks.
Regards
Yearly follow up is required.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You can do yearly follow up. In my opinion anastrazole is not needed for him. Anastrozole is a double edged sword. It can cause serious side effects like increased risk of cardiac problems and osteoporosis. It’s an hormonal drug works by blocking the creation of estrogen. It might affect his sexual development also. So he is nearing his expected height, and let’s wait.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you doctor. Have you ever heard of the khamis roche height calculator? is it accurate for us? we are caucasion. thank you.
Brief Answer:
Approximate height can be predicted.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Aproximate height can be predicted using this. Not 100 percent accurate.
Regards
Approximate height can be predicted.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Aproximate height can be predicted using this. Not 100 percent accurate.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Hi Doctor,
We had an appointment with my son ’s pediatrician today. He is not concerned that my son is only in the 35th percentile for height. The pediatrician is concerned that my son will soon be done with puberty (he just turned 14) and he will stop growing before he reaches his full height.
The good news is that my son’s testicles are at about stage 3 of the five Tanner stages. The bad news is that my son’s pubic hair is at stage 5. We were told those were the two most important markers of puberty.
Do you think we should now consider anastrozole because my son may soon stop growing? We know it has possible side effects, but he would be devastated if his final height was 5'4".
Thank you so much.
We had an appointment with my son ’s pediatrician today. He is not concerned that my son is only in the 35th percentile for height. The pediatrician is concerned that my son will soon be done with puberty (he just turned 14) and he will stop growing before he reaches his full height.
The good news is that my son’s testicles are at about stage 3 of the five Tanner stages. The bad news is that my son’s pubic hair is at stage 5. We were told those were the two most important markers of puberty.
Do you think we should now consider anastrozole because my son may soon stop growing? We know it has possible side effects, but he would be devastated if his final height was 5'4".
Thank you so much.
Brief Answer:
You can wait for couple of years before startling anastrazole.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Generally boys grows even after attaining puberty. In your case he hasn’t completed puberty yet. Sonit is better to wait for few more time. I suggest you to wait two years more before starting anastrazole. The decision may vary according to physician and actually not indicated now. If you are so much worried, you can go for anastrazole treatment.
Wishing you all the best.
Regards
You can wait for couple of years before startling anastrazole.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Generally boys grows even after attaining puberty. In your case he hasn’t completed puberty yet. Sonit is better to wait for few more time. I suggest you to wait two years more before starting anastrazole. The decision may vary according to physician and actually not indicated now. If you are so much worried, you can go for anastrazole treatment.
Wishing you all the best.
Regards
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. Remy Koshy
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