Does Growth Hormone Supplement Increase Height? Separating Fact from Fiction

December 16, 2025 •

3 min read

According to endocrinology experts, once your growth plates have fused, typically after puberty, your height is fixed. This means the popular claim that a growth hormone supplement can increase height in adults is a medical misconception that could also pose significant health risks.

Quick Summary

The effectiveness of human growth hormone (HGH) for increasing height depends on age and medical need. Prescription HGH can help children with deficiencies, but over-the-counter supplements cannot increase adult stature.

Key Points

No Height Increase for Adults: Once growth plates close, no supplement can increase vertical height.
Supplements are Ineffective: Over-the-counter growth hormone supplements do not contain real HGH and cannot increase height.
Prescription HGH is Different: Authentic, injectable HGH is a strictly regulated medication for specific medical deficiencies, not a supplement.
Risks of Misuse: The abuse of HGH can cause irreversible side effects like acromegaly, a condition that thickens bones.
Childhood Growth Matters: The only legitimate use for HGH to increase height is in children with growth deficiencies, under strict medical supervision.
Consult a Doctor: Anyone seeking to alter their height or with concerns about growth should consult a healthcare professional for accurate guidance.

The Science of Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a naturally occurring hormone produced and released by the pituitary gland. Its primary role is to promote growth during childhood and adolescence. HGH stimulates the growth-promoting effect on cartilage and bone, especially at the growth plates, which are areas of cartilage located near the ends of long bones. During puberty, the growth plates fuse, and the bones can no longer lengthen. At this point, a person's final adult height is determined.

The Critical Difference: Prescription HGH vs. Dietary Supplements

It is crucial to understand the vast difference between medical-grade, injectable HGH and the so-called "growth hormone supplements" available on the market. Prescription HGH is a synthetic, biologically active hormone administered via injection and is strictly regulated by health authorities like the FDA. It is prescribed only for specific medical conditions, including HGH deficiency in children or chronic kidney disease. Its use is closely monitored by a doctor due to the potency and potential for side effects.

Conversely, most over-the-counter supplements do not contain actual HGH. They are often composed of amino acids, vitamins, and herbs that claim to boost the body's natural HGH production. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has found no reliable evidence to support these claims, and if taken orally, the stomach's digestive process would destroy the HGH before it could be absorbed anyway.

Can a Growth Hormone Supplement Increase Height?

For adults, the answer is a definitive no. As mentioned, once the growth plates have fused, the long bones can no longer grow in length. In adults, excess HGH does not lead to increased height but to a condition called acromegaly, which causes bones to thicken. This most notably affects the hands, feet, and face.

For children, the situation is different. If a child has a diagnosed growth hormone deficiency, a doctor may prescribe recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) to help them reach a more normal adult height. The treatment is initiated before the growth plates close and can lead to a significant height increase compared to not receiving treatment. However, even in children with idiopathic short stature (ISS) but normal HGH levels, treatment with rhGH only leads to a modest increase in final adult height, and many remain short.

Risks and Dangers of Unapproved HGH Products

Using unapproved HGH supplements or illicit injectable HGH is illegal in many countries, including the United States, for non-medical use. The side effects and dangers are serious and can lead to permanent damage. The Endocrine Society does not recommend HGH injections for those without a diagnosed deficiency.

Potential side effects of misusing HGH include:

Fluid retention, leading to swelling in the arms and legs.
Joint and muscle pain.
Carpal tunnel syndrome.
High blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of diabetes.
High cholesterol levels.
Enlargement of hands, feet, and face (acromegaly).
Weakening of the heart over the long term.

Comparison: Growth Hormone Supplements vs. Prescription HGH


Feature	Growth Hormone Supplements (Over-the-Counter)	Prescription HGH (Injectable)
Form	Pills, powders, sprays	Daily or weekly injections
Content	Amino acids, herbs, vitamins; not actual HGH	Bioactive synthetic human growth hormone
Regulation	Largely unregulated; efficacy and safety are not guaranteed	Strictly regulated by health authorities (e.g., FDA)
Legality	Legal to purchase, but claims of height increase are misleading	Illegal for non-medical use in many countries
Effectiveness for Height	Not effective for increasing height at any age	Effective for increasing height in children with deficiencies before growth plates close
Potential Risks	Unknown risks, possible contaminants, or ineffective ingredients	Significant side effects, including acromegaly, if misused or unmonitored

Conclusion: The Final Word on Growth Hormone and Height

The belief that a growth hormone supplement can increase height is a pervasive and dangerous myth. Supplements sold in stores have no evidence to support their claims and are not a substitute for medically prescribed HGH. Real height increase is only possible in children with certain medical conditions who receive carefully monitored, prescription HGH injections before their growth plates have fused. For adults, misusing HGH will not make you taller and carries serious, potentially irreversible health consequences. The best advice for anyone concerned about their height is to consult with a medical professional to understand the real physiological possibilities and risks involved. For more in-depth medical information on HGH and its applications, you can visit the Cleveland Clinic website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, as an adult, your growth plates have fused, which means your long bones cannot grow any further. Supplements are ineffective and cannot change this biological fact.

HGH supplements are typically unregulated, oral products containing amino acids, not the actual hormone. Prescription HGH is a potent, injectable medication for diagnosed medical deficiencies, administered under a doctor's care.

The safety of HGH supplements is not guaranteed. They are unregulated, their ingredients may be ineffective or contaminated, and there is no reliable evidence to support their claims.

Acromegaly is a condition caused by excessive levels of HGH in adults. It leads to the overgrowth and thickening of bones, particularly in the face, hands, and feet, but does not increase overall height.

Children can be prescribed recombinant HGH injections by a doctor if they have a diagnosed growth hormone deficiency, Turner's syndrome, or certain other conditions. This must be done before their growth plates close and under medical supervision.

In adults with HGH deficiency, prescription HGH can help with metabolism, muscle mass, and bone density. However, it will not increase height.

In many countries, including the U.S., using HGH for conditions not approved by health authorities is illegal. It is considered a performance-enhancing drug and carries significant health risks when used without medical necessity.