About Junko Expertise I can answer most questions pertaining to teen health, thought I cannot give medical advice. I can explain medical terminology, describe medical conditions and hopefully help people understand what is going on with their bodies. If I don`t know an answer to a question, being a medical student, I can easily find out the answer since I have many resources I can refer to.
Expert: Junko Date: 7/18/2004 Subject: Dear Doctor,
I have just...
Question Dear Doctor,
I have just turned eighteen years old and have so far reached a height
of 6 foot. My father says that at my age he was still only 5"10 and
ended up reaching 6" by twenty-one. My brother is twenty and has grown
half an inch in the recent months (from 6"2 to 6"2"1/2). My question to
you is do you think I will continue to grow in the same fashion as my
father did and brother is as I am still quite insecure about my height
(trivial I know as I am already relatively tall by most standards)? Also,
through my frustrations I have recently (in the past two months) began
to take a herbal supplement 'Growth Hormone booster' (with half an inch
success) but I am concerned they will have an adverse affect in the
long run and will cause my growth plates to close earlier than usual. I
would be extremely appreciative if you could advise upon my situation.
Kind regards
P.S. Just in case you require this information, I eat a healthy diet of
five pieces of fruit and vegetables a day and plenty of water.
Just in case you can't send a message to the email address I have provided, please send a reply to harrispaulscha2004@hotmail.com
Thanks again
Answer Hi,
Considering your father's and brother's growth pattern, it's very possible that you'll still gain some height in the next couple of years. Regardless, you should be happy with your height, as you're already quite tall (but you know this already). As for the "Growth Hormone Booster" you're taking, if it has growth hormone in it and your growth plates haven't closed yet, then it might help you grow taller, but those things are usually a scam. Even if it has growth hormone in it, if it doesn't have the right amount in it, it won't do anything for you. Also, taking growth hormone or supplements shouldn't result in early closure of your growth plates. As for any adverse effects you might experience from the "Growth Hormone Booster", since I don't know what's in the supplement, it's hard for me to say. In general, however, I wouldn't recommend taking any of those over-the-counter growth enhancers. Unfortunately, there are no simple ways to increase your height, so my recommendation to you would be to simply continue with your healthy diet and wait for further growth.
