Does HGH actually make you taller? - Hormone Wellness Center

Human growth hormone (HGH) is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland that plays a key role in growth and development, especially during puberty. HGH production peaks during adolescence and leads to the growth spurt that occurs during this time. So does taking HGH make you taller if your growth plates have already closed? The answer is complicated. While HGH can promote growth in children and teenagers who have growth hormone deficiency, the effects in healthy adults are less clear.

• For children and teenagers who have not finished growing and whose growth plates (areas of cartilage near the ends of long bones) have not fused:
  • Taking HGH can accelerate growth if the child has growth hormone deficiency
  • Several studies show that treating growth hormone deficiency before the fusion of growth plates can result in increased adult height by several inches
  • So for those with a true growth hormone deficiency, HGH supplementation before growth plate fusion can promot growth
• For adults who have stopped growing:
  • The growth plates fuse by the end of puberty, meaning the long bones stop lengthening
  • So for adults who have completed puberty and fusion, HGH likely does not impact height
  • Some small studies have shown a marginal increase in spine length with HGH treatment, along with side effects
  • So HGH is unlikely to make adults taller once they’ve finished growing

Is HGH safe? While further research is still needed, some potential side effects include:

• Muscle, joint, or bone pain
• Swelling (edema)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Increased risk of diabetes
• Abnormal growth of hands, feet, or face

So while HGH can be beneficial for promoting growth in growth hormone deficient children, its effects in healthy adults are small at best once plates have fused. All use carries potential side effects as well. As one of the most experienced hormone therapy clinics in the country, Hormone Wellness Center offers CGMP pharmaceutical-grade hormone treatments to help patients optimize health and vitality. Their expert medical team can determine if growth hormone therapy is appropriate and help patients weigh the pros and cons given their health history and goals.

Subheader: Who Might Benefit from Growth Hormone?

While unlikely to increase height by itself in adults with fused growth plates, some data suggests HGH may help increase muscle mass and reduce body fat when combined with proper exercise and nutrition. So athletes, bodybuilders, and those focused on body composition changes may see incremental benefits.

Of course, a nutritious diet and smart exercise plan tailored to individual needs is the foundation. Hormone Wellness Center's] certified health and nutrition coaches can offer personalized lifestyle plans to help patients achieve sustainable results.

Subheader: Talk to an Expert

Determining if any hormone therapy is right for your unique health situation is complex. The licensed medical providers at Hormone Wellness Center offer free consultations to help answer questions and address concerns about the safety, efficacy, side effects, and appropriate usage of growth hormone and other therapies.

Book a consultation today to learn if hormone optimization can help you meet your health and wellness goals in a supervised, responsible way.