Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Decrease In Height?
Question: My 22 year old son was 6 foot 1 inch since he was 19. This week he lost 2 inches .he is now 5 foot 11 inches. He seems to have lost the inches in his legs....how is this possible
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Good day.
The most common cause of this kind of height difference in a young person is wrong measurements.
If he hasn't had a fracture, it is unlikely that he lost the height from legs. Other way of losing height is by collapse of vertebrae.
Are you sure that the measurements taken was properly both the times ? If you are sure about it, we need to investigate further. I would advice to do an Xray of Pelvis including both hips as well as Xray of Thoracic and Lumbar spines A/P and Lateral views. This may possibly throw some light.
By the way, how was his puberty ( timing of facial hair growth and voice change etc). How is his facial and body hair growth etc now ?
Regards
Binu
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Good day.
The most common cause of this kind of height difference in a young person is wrong measurements.
If he hasn't had a fracture, it is unlikely that he lost the height from legs. Other way of losing height is by collapse of vertebrae.
Are you sure that the measurements taken was properly both the times ? If you are sure about it, we need to investigate further. I would advice to do an Xray of Pelvis including both hips as well as Xray of Thoracic and Lumbar spines A/P and Lateral views. This may possibly throw some light.
By the way, how was his puberty ( timing of facial hair growth and voice change etc). How is his facial and body hair growth etc now ?
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I knowing wouldn't believe it I would say someone measured wrong but it's obvious you can see the difference... His friends even asked him if he shrunk..he no longer is taller than friends he once was ...it's so strange, but I'm really worried. He is not overweight he is long and lean...he goes to the gym almost every day. Could it be the way he sleeps all curled up
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is unlikely to be due to heart problem. Usually height loss is due to collapse of vertebrae.
It is very unusual in a young person to have height loss due to vertebral fractures unless he is low in male hormones. That is the reason I asked about puberty and facial hair etc earlier.
It may be worth getting an Xray of pelvis as well as Lumbar and thoracic vertebrae as I mentioned earlier.
Regards
Binu
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is unlikely to be due to heart problem. Usually height loss is due to collapse of vertebrae.
It is very unusual in a young person to have height loss due to vertebral fractures unless he is low in male hormones. That is the reason I asked about puberty and facial hair etc earlier.
It may be worth getting an Xray of pelvis as well as Lumbar and thoracic vertebrae as I mentioned earlier.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
