How much taller will I grow??

[aelet17]

I am curious to know if I will grow any taller? I have Hypopituitarism (human growth hormone deficiency- very little or no growth), hypothyroidism( thyroid gland does not function properly) and my adrenal gland doesn't function ( no adrenaline )... I am taking medicine for everything except my hypopituitarism because my Doctor doesn't beleive I will grow anymore. Although, concerning my limbs, feet, and family history I beleive I still can... I am 5'3 and I wear a size 12 shoe with huge hands to match.. Also, I have lanky arms in relation to my height. Furthermore, my dad is 6'4 and my mom is 5'9 so I feel that I should be atleast somewhere near my moms height... I used to take growth hormone shots as a kid but when I was twelve I refused to take them any more (dummy). So, I tried to get my doctor to put me back on them when I was 17 or 16 and he ordered an x ray to determine my bone age which was 12. So, I would think that even though I just turned 21 that my bone age would still be viable to grow and my growth plates shouldn't have closed yet. I am kind of wanting another doctors perspective. So, do you agree with me that I should be able to grow some more? I love my doctor I've been a patient since he diagnosed me at the age of 4 but I just really want to know should I or should I not bring it back up to him again. Please explain in detail why I should or shouldn't bring it back up? I really don't want to be a pain but I can't seem to accept it very easily... :/


I appreciate your time :)

[Kristina538]

My boss has the same as you and was on growth hormones but I think from about age 11.   She is 5'3" so may have benefitted from her condition being discovered earlier.  

What does your doctor believe will happen if you take medicine for growth?  Is there a negative side to it that is preventing him from prescribing?   That's what I'd be asking.

And, given that time is of the essence, would be be prepared to do another x-ray?  Or, could you get a second opinion.

I think it depends - some people continue growth in early 20's.  However my son's friend had a condition where his legs had stopped growing as the platelets had already bonded when he was 17.  So it's obviously dependant on the individual.   Good luck.

There is an 'experts' forum here where your poste would be answered by a doctor is no-one else chimes in.   There are a few with your condition, but it's a more rare thyroid condition.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Thyroid-Disease--Hypothyroidism/show/1261

I also searched 'growth hormone' in this site and came up with a number of posts in different forums, one that recommended another site:  http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/thehypopituitaryalliance

Go for gold and get all the answers from wherever you can until you're satisfied in yourself, and/or found something that you can take to your doctor.

[Barb135]

We aren't doctors, here.  We are fellow thyroid patients, trying to help other thyroid patients get well.

Since we deal mostly with thyroid issues, I'm not sure whether anyone on the forum will be a lot of help to you.  

Usually, by the time a person is 21, they're done growing, but you should see another doctor and get a second opinion, since you have hypopituitarism.