Can Human Growth Hormone Deficiency Delay Bone Age?

Posted on Wed, 13 Aug 2014

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

Wed, 13 Aug 2014 Answered on

Wed, 3 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Can human growth hormone deficiency delay bone age? I am supposed to be 6'2, but due to growth hormone deficiency I haven't grown in over five years (I am 5'6.5). I've had another doctor tell me that bone age is delayed in growth hormone deficient patients by several years (3 or more) due to severely decreased bone mineralization, and I wanted to get a second opinion on whether that is true or not? My family doctor told me I could grow four inches or more with growth hormone therapy.

Answered by Dr. Vidya KR (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Growth hormone supplement do improved your height

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using Healthcaremagic .

I went through your query and understood your concerns.

Yes growth hormone deficiency do results in reduction in height due to defect in bone mineralisation. Growth hormone is very essential for growth and puberty. Onset of puberty delayed in case of growth hormone deficiency.

The earlier the condition is treated, the better the chance that a child will grow to near-normal adult height. Many children gain 4 or more inches over the first year and 3 or more inches during the next 2 years. The rate of growth then slowly decreases.
As your age is 18, still with growth hormone supplement your height can be increased for 3 or 4 inches. Because long bone fusion occurs at 21 year of age till that time height increases. so if you get treated before long none fusion your height can be increased.
The earlier the condition is treated, the better the chance that a child will grow to near-normal adult height. Many children gain 4 or more inches over the first year and 3 or more inches during the next 2 years. The rate of growth then slowly decreases.

Hope I answered your query. Feel free to ask further related query.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Vidya KR (45 minutes later)

Thank you. Is there any chance I could reach 5'11 or 6'0? That is about three inches short of my predicted height of 6'2-6'3.

Answered by Dr. Vidya KR (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, chances are possible to gain height

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

Yes, chances are possible, your height will increase with growth hormone supplement, if that is reason for short stature. But it depends on your response to treatment.

With hormonal supplement, need to take protein rich diet and exercise( to stimulate bone ossification centers) Which will help in gaining height.

Hope i answered your query. Feel free to ask further related query.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Vidya KR (9 hours later)

Thank you! I'll make sure to bring this up to my pediatric endocrinologist.

Answered by Dr. Vidya KR (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wish you a good health

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for the follow up query.

Wish you a good health.

Regards

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