As a medical professional with a focus on endocrinology, I often get asked about the effects of human growth hormone (HGH) on height, particularly in individuals who have already gone through puberty. It's a common misconception that HGH can continue to increase height in adults, but the reality is a bit more complex.

**Step 1: Understanding Growth Plates and Puberty**

The first thing to understand is the role of growth plates, also known as epiphyseal plates, in human growth. These are areas of cartilage located near the ends of long bones in children and adolescents. They are responsible for the lengthening of bones as the body grows. During puberty, a surge in sex hormones triggers a rapid increase in growth, which is largely driven by the activity of growth plates.

However, as individuals reach the end of puberty, the growth plates begin to close, a process that involves the gradual replacement of cartilage with bone. This is a natural part of the maturation process and ensures that the bones reach their full adult length. Once the growth plates have fully fused with the bone, they are no longer capable of facilitating growth.

Step 2: The Role of HGH in Growth

Human growth hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, plays a crucial role in the growth and development of children and adolescents. It stimulates the growth of bones, organs, and tissues, and promotes the breakdown of fats and the synthesis of proteins. HGH is particularly important during puberty, when it works in conjunction with sex hormones to spur a rapid growth spurt.

However, once the growth plates have closed, the ability of HGH to stimulate bone growth is significantly diminished. This is because there is no longer any cartilage for the hormone to act upon; the bone has fully formed and is no longer capable of lengthening.

Step 3: HGH Therapy and Adult Height

When it comes to HGH therapy in adults, the primary uses are to address conditions such as growth hormone deficiency or to support muscle and bone health in certain situations. It is not used to increase height, as the growth plates are typically closed by the time an individual reaches adulthood.

There are some claims that HGH therapy can increase height in adults, but these are largely anecdotal and not supported by scientific evidence. In fact, using HGH for this purpose can be dangerous, as it can lead to a range of side effects, including joint pain, fluid retention, and increased risk of diabetes.

**Step 4: The Importance of Realistic Expectations**

It's important for individuals considering HGH therapy to have realistic expectations about its potential benefits and risks. While HGH can play a role in improving overall health and well-being, it is not a magic bullet for increasing height in adults.

In conclusion, while HGH is a powerful hormone that plays a key role in growth and development, its ability to increase height is limited to the period before the growth plates have closed. Once an individual has reached adulthood and the growth plates have fused, HGH therapy will not lead to an increase in height.

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This is due to the fact that after puberty our growth plates begin to fuse with the bones they are associated with. When this fusion takes place there is no place for human growth hormone to stimulate new bone to be added. At this point in time, when the growth plates are closed, HGH therapy will not increase height.Sep 3, 2015read more >>