Does Testosterone Make You Taller at 23? Separating Fact from Fiction

According to the Cleveland Clinic, most males stop growing in height by age 18, with some rare cases extending into the early 20s. This means that for those wondering does testosterone make you taller at 23, the answer is almost certainly no, as linear bone growth is dependent on open growth plates that have typically fused by this age.

Quick Summary

Once your growth plates have fused, typically in your late teens or early twenties, no amount of testosterone can increase your height. The hormone’s effect on bone lengthening is confined to the pubertal period, and as an adult, it cannot reopen fused growth plates.

Key Points

• Growth Plates Determine Height: Linear growth stops when growth plates at the ends of long bones fuse, a process completed in most males by their late teens.

• Testosterone Closes Growth Plates: While testosterone helps fuel the adolescent growth spurt, it is also the hormone responsible for signaling the growth plates to close permanently.

• No Height Increase at 23: At 23 years old, your growth plates are almost certainly fused, meaning no amount of testosterone—natural or supplemental—can make you taller.

• TRT is for Low T Symptoms: Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is used to treat medically confirmed low testosterone and improves aspects of health like muscle mass, mood, and energy, but not height in adults.

• Other Growth Factors: A person's final adult height is influenced primarily by genetics, with significant contributions from nutrition and overall health during development.

• Dangerous Unsupervised Use: Attempting to take testosterone without medical supervision to gain height is ineffective and can lead to dangerous side effects.

The Role of Growth Plates in Determining Height

Height is determined by the lengthening of long bones, a process that occurs at cartilaginous areas called growth plates, or epiphyseal plates. During childhood and adolescence, these plates produce new bone tissue, allowing the bones to grow longer. This process is heavily influenced by a cocktail of hormones, including human growth hormone (HGH) and testosterone. For most males, this window of opportunity for vertical growth closes permanently in their late teens or early twenties, when hormonal changes cause the growth plates to fully harden and fuse.

Why Testosterone Won't Increase Height in Adults

For a 23-year-old, the potential for height increase from hormonal changes has likely ended. Here’s a deeper look into the biological reasons:

• Permanent Fusion: Once the growth plates have fused, the long bones can no longer lengthen. Think of it as a one-way process—the cartilage has been replaced by solid bone, and no signal, hormonal or otherwise, can reverse this change.
• Testosterone's Dual Role: During puberty, rising testosterone levels, in conjunction with HGH, drive the adolescent growth spurt. However, testosterone is also the very hormone that eventually signals the growth plates to fuse, bringing linear growth to a permanent halt. Injecting more testosterone at 23 won't reactivate this system; it would be like pouring gasoline on a car that has already reached its final destination.
• TRT vs. Adolescent Therapy: In rare, specific cases of delayed puberty or hypogonadism in adolescents, a doctor might use testosterone therapy to initiate a growth spurt. However, even in these scenarios, the goal is to help the individual reach their genetically predetermined height, not to exceed it. Furthermore, giving too much testosterone too early can actually cause premature growth plate fusion, potentially limiting final adult height. This type of therapy is not applicable to healthy adults whose growth has naturally concluded.

Other Factors Influencing Adult Stature

While hormones are crucial during development, a person's final height is the result of several interacting factors:

• Genetics: Your genetic makeup is the single most important predictor of your adult height.
• Nutrition: Adequate nutrition during the formative years is vital for reaching your full genetic height potential. Deficiencies can stunt growth.
• Posture: While it doesn't change bone length, maintaining good posture can improve your appearance and help you stand at your maximum possible height. Conversely, poor posture can make you appear shorter.

Comparing Testosterone's Effects on Growth (Puberty vs. Adulthood)

Feature	During Puberty	After Growth Plates Fuse (Adulthood)
Effect on Linear Growth	Triggers and accelerates the adolescent growth spurt by acting on open growth plates.	Has no effect on linear height, as growth plates are permanently fused.
Impact on Bone Structure	Increases bone density and helps lengthen long bones.	Still helps maintain bone density, but cannot lengthen bones.
Hormonal Function	Plays a key role in sexual maturation and the development of secondary sex characteristics.	Continues to influence libido, muscle mass, energy, and mood, but does not impact height.
Therapeutic Use for Height	Can be used under strict medical supervision to treat conditions like delayed puberty.	Not used for height enhancement. Any hormone therapy is for addressing low testosterone symptoms and improving overall well-being.

Conclusion: The Growth Window Has Closed

For a 23-year-old, the biological window for height increase via hormonal manipulation is firmly closed. The science is clear: once the growth plates have fused, the long bones can no longer get longer, regardless of testosterone levels. Focusing on improving overall health through proper diet, exercise, and good posture is a more productive approach. While testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can offer significant benefits for men with clinically low testosterone, attempting to use it for height enhancement is both ineffective and potentially dangerous due to the risk of unsupervised use. Instead of fixating on something that cannot be changed, focus on optimizing your health and vitality for the long term. You can learn more about adult male hormone health by visiting the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anything be done to increase my height at 23?

At 23, the only scientifically proven method for height increase is leg lengthening surgery. This is a painful and complex cosmetic procedure, and hormonal therapies or supplements are ineffective at this age.

When do growth plates typically close in males?

For most males, growth plates fuse, or close, between the ages of 16 and 18. While a small amount of growth can occur into the early 20s in some rare cases, it is extremely unlikely to happen at 23.

If my testosterone is low at 23, will TRT make me taller?

No. If your growth plates are already fused, TRT cannot make you taller, regardless of your baseline testosterone level. The therapy will improve other symptoms of low T but will not affect your height.

Is it possible my growth plates are still open at 23?

While it is possible in very rare cases for a late bloomer to have unfused growth plates, it is highly improbable at 23. A doctor can perform a simple wrist X-ray to confirm if your growth plates have closed.

Does having more testosterone during puberty lead to more height?

Not necessarily. While testosterone is essential for a normal pubertal growth spurt, it doesn't determine final height, which is largely genetic. The hormone also signals the closure of growth plates, ending the growth period.

What is the difference between testosterone and HGH in relation to height?

Human growth hormone (HGH) is the primary driver of linear bone growth during childhood, while testosterone acts as a powerful accelerator during puberty, ultimately signaling the process to stop. At 23, neither will increase your height.

Does testosterone therapy for adults offer any height-related benefits?

While it won't make you taller, TRT for adults can help maintain bone density and improve muscle mass and strength, which can help support overall physical health.