Does Testosterone Make You Taller?

Optimized testosterone levels play a substantial role in men’s health. That can lead many men to wonder if testosterone levels can also affect their height. Whether testosterone plays an impact on height is a common question among growing teens, athletes, and adult men looking into hormone optimization or testosterone therapy.

So, does testosterone actually make you taller? Or is that just another myth about hormones and physical performance?

In this article, we’ll break down what the science really says about growth, puberty, and hormones like testosterone—and what you need to know if you’re considering hormone treatment. We’ll discuss all of the factors that determine your overall height, what role testosterone plays, and if adult men can actually do anything to impact how tall they are.

 

What Determines Your Height?

Before diving into testosterone’s specific effects, it’s important to understand what actually controls how tall you become. The truth is, your final adult height is already mostly locked in by the time you finish puberty.

Research shows that as much as 80 percent of your adult height is determined by genetics. (1) Other factors during your growing years, such as nutrition, access to healthy foods, hormonal abnormalities, and certain congenital disorders (such as achondroplasia, Turner syndrome, or Marfan syndrome) can also play a role. (2) 

Here is a further breakdown of each of these factors. 

The biggest factors that determine your height include:

• Genetics – DNA plays the largest role in determining your growth potential. For instance, if both biological parents are on the taller or shorter end, you’ll likely follow a similar pattern, although it is not a guarantee.  
• Growth plates (epiphyseal plates) – These cartilage zones at the ends of long bones allow for lengthening during development. Once bones stop growing, these growth plates close. (3) 
• Nutrition and overall health during development – Adequate protein, vitamins (especially D and calcium), and calories support optimal bone growth. Undernourished children often fall short of their genetic potential and may experience stunting. (4) 
• Hormones – Growth hormone, thyroid hormone, and sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen all interact to influence bone growth. Estrogen, which is produced from testosterone via aromatase, is the direct hormone responsible for growth plate closure.

Some people assume there’s a “super hormone” that can unlock new inches of height. But that’s not how the body works—no single hormone (including testosterone) can override your genetics or reopen fused growth plates. That’s why expectations of changing or altering your, or your child’s height need to be realistic.

 

Testosterone’s Role in Growth and Puberty

Testosterone is crucial for development during puberty, especially in males. It plays a direct role in accelerating the adolescent growth spurt. When boys go through puberty, their testes increase testosterone production, which matures reproductive organs, grows muscles and bones, allows for the growth of facial and body hair, and deepens voices. (5)

Here’s how it works: during puberty, rising testosterone levels trigger an increase in growth hormone and IGF-1, which act on the growth plates to make bones longer. This combination results in the rapid height increase most boys experience during their teenage years. (6)

However, testosterone also has a “stop” button when it comes to height.

As testosterone continues to rise, it eventually causes the growth plates to fuse. Once this happens, the potential for additional height gain is over. This is why teens may grow quickly for a few years, then suddenly stop—testosterone signals that the body has completed the growth phase.

So while testosterone is essential for enabling puberty-related growth, it also marks the end of height development, meaning that your height level is not going to change due to an increase in testosterone. 

 

Can Testosterone Increase Height in Adults?

This is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of hormone therapy. Many people ask: does taking testosterone make you taller? Or does more testosterone make you taller later in life?

The simple answer is no—testosterone does not increase height in adults.

Once your growth plates have fused (usually between ages 16–20 in males), your bones can no longer lengthen. This means that testosterone therapy, no matter how advanced or well-dosed it is, cannot affect your height after puberty has ended.

This misconception is especially common among men exploring testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for other reasons.  When dosed properly, TRT can be highly effective for men, allowing them to improve various elements of their daily life, including energy levels and sex drive. TRT can also have an impact on body composition, which may play a role in weight loss. Because of its effectiveness, many men then assume that increasing testosterone levels will also unlock further physical development, such as increasing their height. 

Unfortunately, that’s simply not how bone physiology works. While TRT and better overall testosterone health can play a major role in revitalizing men’s health, it will not allow you to suddenly become taller.  

What testosterone can do for your heath:

Although TRT won’t help you improve your height, it can help you revitalize your daily health by: 

• Increasing lean muscle mass and strength 
• Improving libido and sexual performance 
• Reducing fatigue and improving mood 
• Helping maintain healthy bone density 

Still, it’s once again important to reiterate that TRT does not affect height once bone growth has ended. And attempting to take high doses of testosterone for non-medical reasons is both ineffective and potentially dangerous.

In fact, unsupervised or excessive testosterone use can possibly result in (7):

• Hair loss or acne 
• Testicular shrinkage and infertility 
• Elevated red blood cell counts (risking blood clots) 
• Gynecomastia (breast tissue growth) 
• Liver strain and other metabolic issues 

If you’re considering TRT, it should be to treat medically confirmed low testosterone, not to attempt height enhancement.

 

Are There Any Exceptions or Special Cases?

While testosterone cannot increase height in adults, there are certain rare cases where testosterone therapy may support height growth in teens.

These include:

• Delayed puberty – Some teens do not enter puberty at the typical age. Testosterone therapy can be prescribed to initiate normal pubertal changes, including height acceleration. (8) 
• Hypogonadism – Hypogonadism is a medical condition where the body fails to produce enough testosterone, leading to stunted growth and underdeveloped secondary sex characteristics. 
• Constitutional growth delay – Some children develop later than their peers but eventually catch up. In cases where hormone levels remain low, temporary testosterone therapy may be recommended to help improve height. (9) 

In all of these rare situations, testosterone must be administered under the care of a pediatric endocrinologist or hormone specialist. Even then, the timing, dose, and duration must be carefully controlled for optimal results and minimal side effects. Giving too much testosterone too soon can lead to premature growth plate closure, cutting off future height potential.

So yes, in specific, medically supervised adolescent cases, testosterone can help a teen grow taller. But this is not applicable to adults or those with fully fused growth plates.

 

How to Know If You Have Low Testosterone

It’s important to separate concerns about height from legitimate signs of low testosterone. Adult men experiencing certain symptoms should consider getting their testosterone levels tested—not to grow taller, but to improve their overall well-being.

Common signs of low testosterone include:

So, how do you know if you’re suffering from low T? Be on the lookout for common low testosterone symptoms, especially if they’re grouped together. These may include: 

• Low energy and chronic fatigue 
• Reduced muscle mass or physical performance 
• Decreased sex drive or erectile dysfunction 
• Irritability, depression, or mental fog 
• Trouble sleeping or low motivation 

Testing for low T is quick and easy—a simple blood test can determine whether your testosterone is within the normal range. At Gameday Men’s Health, we specialize in helping men identify and treat hormone imbalances, including low T.

That said, height concerns alone are not an indication for testosterone therapy. If you’re an adult who’s stopped growing, testosterone will not make you taller, no matter your dosage or delivery method.

Still, optimizing your hormones can dramatically improve your quality of life in other ways, such as restoring strength, enhancing mental clarity, and boosting sex drive and confidence.

 

Why Gameday Men’s Health?

At Gameday Men’s Health, we take a no-nonsense, evidence-based approach to testosterone therapy and hormone health. If you’ve been wondering if testosterone makes you taller, we’ll provide you with the scientific answer, not just a sales pitch.

When you choose to revitalize your health at Gameday, you get:

• Clinicians who specialize in men’s health and hormone balance 
• State-of-the-art lab testing for fast, accurate results 
• Customized treatment plans based on your unique levels, goals, and health history 
• A private, welcoming environment designed for men 

At Gameday, we never prescribe unnecessary treatments or make promises we can’t back up. You deserve real answers and expert care—and that’s exactly what we provide.

To learn more or schedule your hormone test, contact Gameday location near you, or stop in for a visit at one of our clinics. 

Does Testosterone Make You Taller? The Bottom Line

Testosterone plays a significant role in helping boys grow during puberty—but its ability to increase height ends when the growth plates close.

If you’re an adult that’s past the point of puberty, no amount of testosterone will make you taller. This includes testosterone boosters, supplements, injections, or even TRT administered by a professional. Once your body completes its natural development process, your height is set.

However, that doesn’t mean testosterone isn’t important for men over 30. Even though you can’t adjust your height, low T can still cause substantial issues. At Gameday, we can find a treatment plan that optimizes your hormones and helps you feel stronger, more focused, and more like yourself. 

If you’re looking for a height adjustment, sadly, it is likely too late. However, if you’re dealing with low T and are looking for a full health revitalization, contact your local Gameday office today to begin your journey to a happier, healthier you.

 

References

1. Is height determined by genetics?
2. Is Height Genetic? Yes and No
3. Is it Possible to Predict Height?
4. Early and Long-term Consequences of Nutritional Stunting: From Childhood to Adulthood 
5. Puberty in Boys 
6. Modulatory activity of testosterone on growth pattern and IGF-1 levels in vanishing testis syndrome: a case report during 15 years of follow-up 
7. Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age 
8. Testosterone Use in Adolescent Males: Current Practice and Unmet Needs 
9. Testosterone Therapy Improves the First Year Height Velocity in Adolescent Boys with Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty