Can Growth Hormone Injections Still Help Increase Height? - Physical Fitness

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The question of whether growth hormone (GH) injections can still help increase height after a certain age is a common concern, especially among adolescents and young adults. To address your question, it is essential to understand the biological processes involved in growth and the role of growth hormone in this context.

Firstly, human growth occurs primarily during childhood and adolescence, driven by growth plates (epiphyseal plates) located at the ends of long bones. These plates are responsible for bone elongation. During puberty, the body experiences a surge in growth hormone, which contributes to the growth spurt typically seen in teenagers. However, once puberty is completed and the growth plates fuse, which usually occurs by the late teens to early twenties, further height increase becomes highly unlikely.

In your case, you mentioned that you are about to enter the third year of junior high school, and you are concerned about your height, which is currently around 164 cm. Given that you have already started developing secondary sexual characteristics, such as pubic hair, it is likely that you are in or nearing the later stages of puberty. This means that your growth plates may be close to fusing, which would limit your potential for further height increase.

Regarding the use of growth hormone injections, it is crucial to note that GH therapy is most effective when administered before the growth plates have closed. In children and adolescents with growth hormone deficiency or other specific medical conditions, GH can stimulate growth. However, for individuals whose growth plates have already fused, GH injections will not result in increased height. The consensus among medical professionals is that once the growth plates are closed, GH therapy will not provide any benefit in terms of height increase.

Additionally, it is important to be cautious about the use of over-the-counter supplements or products claiming to boost height through growth hormone. Many of these products lack scientific backing and may not be effective. The best approach to ensure healthy growth during your developmental years is to maintain a balanced diet, engage in regular physical activity, and get adequate sleep, as these factors can positively influence growth and overall health.

If you have concerns about your growth or suspect any hormonal imbalances, it would be advisable to consult with a healthcare professional, such as an endocrinologist. They can assess your growth patterns, evaluate your hormonal levels, and provide personalized advice based on your individual circumstances.

In summary, while growth hormone injections can be beneficial for certain medical conditions in children and adolescents, they are not effective for increasing height in individuals whose growth plates have closed. Given your age and development stage, it is unlikely that GH therapy would help you grow taller. Focus on healthy lifestyle choices and consult with a medical professional for further guidance.