does testosterone make you taller

Does testosterone make you taller?

Testosterone has been linked to sex drive, sperm production, bone and muscle mass, and even a man’s mood, but can testosterone make you taller?

To understand whether testosterone makes you taller or not, you first have to appreciate the role of testosterone in the body. Let us, therefore, take a look at what testosterone is, the roles it plays, and how it may affect the height of an individual.

Testosterone 

Testosterone is a vital hormone that both men and women produce, however, men have higher levels. In men, the testicles are primarily responsible for testosterone production whiles the ovaries serve as the primary source of testosterone in females.

The rate at which the body manufactures testosterone begins to increase during puberty and gradually decreases after the age of 30. Testosterone has been related to sex drive, sperm production, bone and muscle mass, and even a man’s mood.

In addition to all of testosterone’s functions, it plays an important role during puberty. When an individual is going through puberty, increased testosterone production can help him grow taller.

It is also in charge of growing bigger muscles, a deeper voice, facial hair, and body hair, especially in males. This is why it’s important to keep testosterone levels high to guarantee optimal physical development. A man’s testosterone levels can also affect his mood.

Does testosterone affect your height?

Yes, testosterone may affect your height. As mentioned earlier, testosterone is one of the hormones that contribute to growth during puberty hence very low levels of testosterone can negatively impact your height and overall growth as an individual.

Does testosterone make you taller during puberty?

There is little to no evidence to firmly say that testosterone will make you taller during puberty. However, most growth and increase in height take place during puberty and it has been found that hormones like testosterone are at their peak during puberty.

Hence, the inference is that testosterone contributes in one way or the other to the height of an individual. It can therefore be said that during puberty, testosterone may contribute to making you taller.

What factors affect one’s height 

Height is influenced by a variety of factors such as; 

Hormones 

The formation of new bones by the growth plates is triggered by hormones generated by the body. The following hormones are among them:

Sex hormones 

Sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen, play an important role in determining puberty growth.

Growth hormones 

The pituitary gland is where growth hormones are generated. These are the most important hormones for growth, as the name implies. There are many medical conditions that can inhibit the production of growth hormones, which in effect will have an effect on the height of an individual.

Youngsters with congenital growth hormone insufficiency, for example, grow at a slower rate than typical children.

Sex

Men, on average, are more likely than women to grow taller. This is also due to the fact that men continue to grow for a longer length of time than women.

The average guy stands around 5.5 inches taller than the average woman. A man’s average height is 69 inches, while a woman’s average height is 63.6 inches.

DNA

When it comes to determining how tall a person will grow, DNA is the most important component. According to research, there are about 700 different genes that determine the height of an individual.

Some of these genes affect the growth plate, while others increase the generation of growth hormones. Marfan syndrome and Down syndrome are two genetic disorders that impact a person’s height.

Ways to increase height

Because of the elements that determine height growth, most people are unable to control it. This is primarily due to the fact that DNA is the most important aspect, and you cannot modify your DNA. However, there are a few things you may do to give your height growth a boost.

Regular exercise

It is common knowledge that staying physically fit has numerous health benefits and aids in proper growth. Exercising on a regular basis is a wonderful way to ensure healthier and stronger bones.

Adequate sleep

It is critical for your growth and development to get the required amount of sleep. Your body releases hormones that help you grow while you sleep deeply. This is why getting enough sleep is essential for healthy growth.

Good nutrition 

Growing tall and healthy requires proper nutrition. If you don’t watch what you eat, it could have an effect on your height. To ensure that your body receives the minerals and vitamins it needs, it is recommended that you consume a well-balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruits.

Foods that can reduce your testosterone levels

Low testosterone levels, often known as low T levels, can cause a number of symptoms in males, including:

  • Weight gain
  • Less energy
  • Moodiness 
  • Depression
  • Low self-esteem
  • Less body hair
  • Decreased sex drive 
  • Thinner bones 

Below are examples of food that can reduce your testosterone levels

Alcohol

Moderate alcohol drinking may have some health benefits, but regular heavy consumption has been shown to impair male fertility.

Men who take in a lot of alcohol are more likely to have low testosterone and have abnormalities in other reproductive hormones, according to research.

Processed foods

Many premade or frozen foods and snacks are highly processed and may not be very healthy. They are heavy in salt, fat, sugar, and calories and do not give much nutritional value.

Processed foods, in particular, are high in trans-fat, which can lower testosterone levels and affect testicular function if consumed on a regular basis.

Canned foods

Foods and drinks packaged in a can or plastic have been shown to have a deleterious impact on hormone levels. This is due to chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) being consumed through drinks in plastic bottles or food reheated in plastic containers. The ingestion of this substance may cause a drop in testosterone levels.

Foods that can boost your testosterone levels

Here are foods that can boost your testosterone levels 

Onions 

There are numerous advantages to eating onions on a regular basis. These advantages include everything from reducing the waistline to bettering heart health. Onions are also high in antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals. Onions have also been shown to raise testosterone levels in males with Low T.

Ginger 

People mainly use ginger for cooking and medicine, but they are unaware of its additional uses. Ginger, for example, may help males become more fertile. Ginger also increases sperm health in addition to these advantages.

Pomegranates 

Pomegranates are well-known for improving sexual performance and fertility. It also contains antioxidants, which aid in heart health and stress reduction. 

Green vegetables 

Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are advised. This is due to the fact that these veggies have a high amount of magnesium, a mineral that has been shown to increase testosterone levels in the body.

A surge in testosterone levels has been observed in people who consume magnesium-rich vegetables, particularly those who are physically active. Beans and lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are among the foods high in magnesium.

Extra-virgin olive oil

Olive oil has been discovered to have numerous health benefits, including reducing your risk of developing cancer and heart disease. Olive oil is high in vitamin E and monounsaturated fat, both of which contribute to the health advantages of the cuisine.

In healthy guys, they also increase testosterone levels. This is mostly due to the oil’s stimulation of luteinizing hormone, which induces testicular cells to create more testosterone.

Oysters 

Oysters are high in zinc, a mineral that is important for sperm health and reproductive function. Oysters have been discovered to contain more zinc per serving than any other food.

Men with zinc deficiency may develop hypogonadism, which means they won’t be able to create enough testosterone. This is why it’s so important to take a lot of zinc supplements because they’ll help you increase your testosterone levels.

Fortified plant milk

Vitamin D is commonly found in fortified plant milk. Vitamin D is essential for good health and has been shown to increase testosterone levels in males. Vitamin D supplementation of up to 400 international units (IU) per day is advised.

Although it is common knowledge that the sun provides us with vitamin D, most individuals do not spend enough time in the sun. This is why, because fortified foods are a rich source of vitamin D, you should eat more of them. Most plant milk, such as those produced from soy, hemp, flax, or almonds, contains roughly 25% of the daily vitamin D requirement per glass.

Vitamin D is essential for maintaining good overall health, in addition to raising testosterone levels.

Frequently Asked Questions about Testosterone

Does testosterone make you grow taller?

Yes, testosterone can make you taller or contribute to an increase in height but this only happens during puberty. After a certain age, no matter how much testosterone you have, you aren’t going to add on height.

In line with this, the body’s rate of testosterone production increases accordingly during puberty and declines after some time. Usually, by 30 years the body’s rate of production will significantly drop and you will have less testosterone than you used to have.

This means that beyond the age of 30, testosterone won’t contribute much to increasing your height.

How much testosterone does a man have?

The amount of testosterone in a male depends on his age. In males, the testicles are the primary organs responsible for the production of testosterone. The adrenal glands are also known to produce some amounts of testosterone.

Since the amounts of testosterone vary based on age, it is only appropriate for us to consider the average amount per age of the male.

AgeAmount of testosterone (ng/dl)
0 to 5 months75-400
6 months to 9 years7-20
10 to 11 years7-130
12 to 13 years7-800
14 years7-1,200
15 to 16 years100-1,200
17 to 18 years300-1,200
19 years and older240-950
Amount of testosterone in males

How much testosterone do females have?

Females also have testosterone which is in smaller amounts than their male counterparts. In the female, most of the testosterone is converted into the sex hormone estradiol.

Also, testosterone in females is produced by the ovaries and a small amount by the adrenal glands. The amount of testosterone produced in females differs depending on their age.

The table below shows the amount of testosterone produced at the respective ages.

AgeAmount of testosterone (ng/dl)
0 to 5 months20-80
6 months to 9 years7-20
10 to 11 years7-44
12 to 13 years7-75
14 years7-75
15 to 16 years7-75
17 to 18 years20-75
19 years and older8-60
Amount of testosterone in females

Summary 

Testosterone is a vital hormone that both men and women produce, however, men have higher levels. In men, the testicles are primarily responsible for testosterone production. Increased testosterone production can help speed up a male’s height growth when he is going through puberty.

WRITTEN AND EDITED RESPECTIVELY BY:

Michael Sarfo
Content Creator at Wapomu

Michael Sarfo is a graduate of the University of Ghana, Legon. He is a content creator for enochkabange.com and a writer for Wapomu

Chief Editor at Wapomu.com

MPSGH, MRPharmS, MPhil.

Isaiah Amoo is a practicing community pharmacist in good standing with the Pharmacy Council of Ghana who has meaningful experience in academia and industrial pharmacy. He is a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, England, UK and currently pursuing his overseas pharmacy assessment programme (MSc) at Aston University, UK. He had his MPhil degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He has about 5 years’ experience as a community Pharmacist and has also taught in academic institutions like KNUST, Kumasi Technical University, Royal Ann College of Health, and G-Health Consult. He likes to spend time reading medical research articles and loves sharing his knowledge with others.

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