Can Growth Hormones Stimulate Additional Growth?

Posted on Tue, 22 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 Answered on

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I brought my almost 15 year old son to an endocrinologist today. He had a wrist X-ray to see growth plate. The doctor determined it as a age 16-17 bone age. He is 5'4 and 120 pounds. Can he expect additional growth? How much? With a bone age of 16-17, is growth hormones still an option?

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 minutes later)

Patient is almost 15 and male.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
He can grow for one to two centimeter

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I think he still have some growth potential. So if hormones and growth level remains normal then he can increase few centimeters. Height depends on many factors like genetics, growth hormones and nutrition.
You should promote him to do more and more exercises.
I hope this answer will be useful for you. Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (9 hours later)

Would growth hormones assist with additional growth?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Growth hormone should be given in case of deficiency

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I will not recommend growth hormone unless there is deficiency. So you can check with growth hormone essay. In healthy parient it can cause side effects.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar