How to Determine If Growth Plates Are Closed and Height Potential at 19?

How to determine if the growth plates have closed and whether there is still potential for height increase?

At 19 years old and in your second year of college, with a height of 174 cm, it appears that your growth rate has significantly slowed down since high school, where you grew about 1 cm per year.
This could indicate that your growth plates may have closed.

Without an X-ray, it can be challenging to determine if your growth plates are still open, but some signs include a lack of growth over the past couple of years and the general age range for growth plate closure, which typically occurs in late adolescence to early adulthood.
Engaging in activities like jumping exercises, consuming milk, and taking calcium supplements can support bone health, but they may not significantly influence height if your growth plates have already closed.

As for the possibility of reaching 180 cm, it largely depends on whether your growth plates are still open.
If they are closed, further height increase is unlikely.
If they are still open, you may have a small chance of growing a few more centimeters, but it is difficult to predict exactly how much.

sid, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2015/07/23

Dr. Chen Yongxue reply Orthopedics

Height, when not influenced by diseases, generally depends on factors such as genetics, nutrition, sleep, and exercise.
Typically, growth plates should close around the ages of 18-19 for males and 17-18 for females, at which point growth will cease.
Growth plates cannot be seen without an X-ray, and conversely, even if an X-ray shows the growth plates, it cannot promote an increase in height.
In your case, focusing on nutrition, sleep, and exercise will also benefit your health.
In life, there are many things more important than height; let your height reach its natural potential.

Reply Date: 2015/07/23

More Info

At 19 years old, you are at a stage where growth plates, also known as epiphyseal plates, are likely to be closing or may have already closed. Growth plates are areas of developing cartilage tissue near the ends of long bones, and they are responsible for the lengthening of bones during childhood and adolescence. Once these plates close, which typically occurs in late adolescence to early adulthood, further height increase is generally not possible.

To determine if your growth plates are closed without an X-ray, you can look for several indicators, although these are not definitive:
1. Age: Most males experience their final growth spurts between ages 16 and 18, with growth plates typically closing by the late teens. Since you are 19, it is likely that your growth plates are either closed or very close to closure.

2. Growth Patterns: You mentioned that your height increased only by 1 cm per year during your high school years and that you have not seen significant growth in college. This slow growth rate could suggest that your growth plates are nearing closure.

3. Physical Signs: If you have noticed changes in your body composition, such as increased muscle mass or changes in body fat distribution, this could indicate that you are transitioning into adulthood, which often coincides with the closure of growth plates.

4. Family History: If your family members reached their adult height by your age, it is likely that you are also nearing your final height.

Regarding your current height of 174 cm and your desire to reach 180 cm, it is important to set realistic expectations. While engaging in activities like jumping exercises, consuming adequate calcium and vitamin D, and maintaining a healthy diet can support overall health, they are unlikely to significantly impact your height at this stage.
The potential for further growth is minimal, especially if your growth plates are closed. However, if you are still in the early stages of closure, there may be a slight chance for additional growth, but this is generally limited to a few centimeters at most.

In conclusion, while it is commendable to focus on fitness and nutrition, the likelihood of reaching 180 cm at this point is quite low. If you are concerned about your growth or have specific questions about your health, it may be beneficial to consult with a healthcare provider or an endocrinologist who can provide personalized advice and possibly conduct an X-ray to assess your growth plates accurately.

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