Shrinking height?

cpush · 08-16-2006, 09:22 AM

well I had a yearly physical yesterday and they measured me at 5 feet 7.75 inches. I looked at last years measurements and they had me down at 5 feet 8 inches. I then looked 2 years prior and they had me at 5 feet 8.25 inches.

now are they just being inconsistent in measurement? did I wear thicker socks that day? or am I shrinking?? I'm only 21. Perhaps my posture has gotten poorer (which I don't think is the case). What can I do to break over 5'8 again?

**IainDaniel** · 08-16-2006, 09:51 AM

I wouldn't worry about it, unless you think you have a reason to worry. Like you said too many variables.

Vieope · 08-16-2006, 09:58 AM

Did you get thin? Perhaps some of your fat was stored in the bottom of your feet or between your spine maybe joints.

cpush · 08-16-2006, 10:01 AM

^ I was also considering this as I've lost some, which I'm currently trying to put back on... (weight that is, not fat

)

Trouble · 08-16-2006, 10:56 AM

Half an inch change in two years, with a consistant trend (rather than either side of an averaged number, which would indicate simple variation in accuracy) is a bit curious, especially at your age.

Talk to your doctor, ask him if you should have a bone density scan. Diet and lifestyle factors appear to be at play within a segment of the younger population, in recent medical reports of thin bones and enbrittlement among young men playing sports. I have been approached for help by several who reported unusual torsional breaks in long bones - these were young men in semi-pro sports like soccor and X-treme events. They appeared to have symptoms of osteoporosis, despite use of vitamin D and calcium supps.

cpush · 08-16-2006, 11:08 AM

That's interesting. I dont think I've had any fragile bone traits. I run quite often and haven't noticed anything. It's something I could consider looking into.

For those losing this bit of height, is it gone for good? or can the effects be reversed and could one be able to gain the inch back?

Trouble · 08-16-2006, 08:32 PM

First, lets see if your doctor can determine if there is a bone density problem.

If so, then we'll talk about stopping the progression and the potential for reversing it. There maybe nothing more here than inaccurate height measurements.

Lothianlad · 03-05-2009, 05:25 PM

I found this thread by accident and felt I had to reply as the topic very much relates to my experience.

I am a young make who will be 27 in April and for almost 7 years now I have been receiving treatment for osteoporosis, which was first diagnosed at the age of 20. To cut a long story short I had a normal childhood who was very interested in sports and I regularly played football and rugby and also enjoyed tennis and swimming and as I live in Scotland I often went up into the Highlands on mountain walking and taking part in outdoor activities. Going to the gym was a must as I wanted to keep fit and even took legal drugs to enhance my body image as I am naturally slim and slight in build and at age 18 or so I was around 168cm in height (about 5'6") and weighed about 60kg.

In my late teens I began to suffer minor fractures - a couple of small bones in my foot and then I broke my wrist playing rugby and again later two ribs were cracked in a collision with another guy. I was treated in the normal way and nobody suspected anything other than normal factures and the risk factors of taking part in sport. Later still I broke the same wrist again and still the doctors didn't think they were were caused by anything more than accidents on the sports field.

I then began to have problems with back pain and it wasn't until I suffered yet more fractures in my forearm and collar bone - one occurring at home when I fell against the wall that my doctor suggested a scan to test the density of my bones. It was my dad who first brought to my attention an apparent loss of height by saying he couldn't help thinking that I was shrinking, and it was only then that I considered this possiblity. He measured me at full height and he was right - it appeared that I had shrunk about 1.5cm or so (that's about half an inch) but as the measurement involved only a ruler and a metal retractive tape it was a flimsy way of dong it and there was no guarantee of any accuracy, but it was scary all the same because a couple of my friends also told me that they were convinced that I was shrinking.

Anyway the scan showed that I had osteoporisis and that I was losing a considerable amount of bone mass, resulting in increased brittleness of the bones and an increasing risk of fractures. The height loss was further evidence of this as my spine was also affected and the very gradual loss of height was becoming on-going.

From then on it was all a wee bit of a nightmare to say the least, as well as having to cope with the embarrassment of having something wrong with me that I thought ony affected old women. I saw a specialist and had to attend a clinic and it really messed up my life.

The cause of all this was very difficult to prove but it seems that some kind of hormonal problems were involved, plus the fact that the drugs I had been taking may have been part of the cause as well, and also a very significant calcium deficiency in my body. It seemed that I had had low bone density all the way through my teens but nobody ever thinks a teenage lad would suffer from that problem do they?

I now have to take various forms of treatment to combat the problem and at times the pains in my back and legs are difficult to cope with at times, and playing sport of any kind is now out of the question because of the risk of fractures. Also I continued to shrink some more in height after the final diagnosis of my condition and at almost 27 that is hard to deal with and now I measure out at about 160cm full standing height (just under 5'3") a loss of about 8cm (3 inches). I have also had to go down two sizes in shoes which is amazing as I began to find my shoes slipping off my feet which was weird.

I know it's a long time since the Cpush posted details of his situation but I really would like to know how he has got on as this problem really is a serious one and quite rare in younger men. I hope he lets us know.

bandaidwoman · 03-06-2009, 07:27 AM

all above are good suggestions but really one of the most common causes of height loss in this age group is degeneration of the disc spaces between vertebral bodies. I see this in my patients who preform activities with axial loading of the spine. This includes body builders.

this link gives a good picture of how much disc degeneration can cause loss of inches
Disc Degeneration

dbkooper · 03-17-2009, 12:53 AM

Hello,

Your posture may have gotten worse if you have been less conscious about it over the years. Maybe put more effort into checking and fixing your posture continuously throughout the day and you might get your full height back.

Also, you can try some stretching to help losing up your back a little bit. This is a common way to increase your height over time. Check the free ebook in my sig for some examples.

08-16-2006, 09:22 AM	#1
cpush Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 224	Shrinking height? well I had a yearly physical yesterday and they measured me at 5 feet 7.75 inches. I looked at last years measurements and they had me down at 5 feet 8 inches. I then looked 2 years prior and they had me at 5 feet 8.25 inches. now are they just being inconsistent in measurement? did I wear thicker socks that day? or am I shrinking?? I'm only 21. Perhaps my posture has gotten poorer (which I don't think is the case). What can I do to break over 5'8 again?

08-16-2006, 09:51 AM	#2
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 17,548	I wouldn't worry about it, unless you think you have a reason to worry. Like you said too many variables. Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

03-05-2009, 05:25 PM	#8
Lothianlad Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 1	Height loss in a young man I found this thread by accident and felt I had to reply as the topic very much relates to my experience. I am a young make who will be 27 in April and for almost 7 years now I have been receiving treatment for osteoporosis, which was first diagnosed at the age of 20. To cut a long story short I had a normal childhood who was very interested in sports and I regularly played football and rugby and also enjoyed tennis and swimming and as I live in Scotland I often went up into the Highlands on mountain walking and taking part in outdoor activities. Going to the gym was a must as I wanted to keep fit and even took legal drugs to enhance my body image as I am naturally slim and slight in build and at age 18 or so I was around 168cm in height (about 5'6") and weighed about 60kg. In my late teens I began to suffer minor fractures - a couple of small bones in my foot and then I broke my wrist playing rugby and again later two ribs were cracked in a collision with another guy. I was treated in the normal way and nobody suspected anything other than normal factures and the risk factors of taking part in sport. Later still I broke the same wrist again and still the doctors didn't think they were were caused by anything more than accidents on the sports field. I then began to have problems with back pain and it wasn't until I suffered yet more fractures in my forearm and collar bone - one occurring at home when I fell against the wall that my doctor suggested a scan to test the density of my bones. It was my dad who first brought to my attention an apparent loss of height by saying he couldn't help thinking that I was shrinking, and it was only then that I considered this possiblity. He measured me at full height and he was right - it appeared that I had shrunk about 1.5cm or so (that's about half an inch) but as the measurement involved only a ruler and a metal retractive tape it was a flimsy way of dong it and there was no guarantee of any accuracy, but it was scary all the same because a couple of my friends also told me that they were convinced that I was shrinking. Anyway the scan showed that I had osteoporisis and that I was losing a considerable amount of bone mass, resulting in increased brittleness of the bones and an increasing risk of fractures. The height loss was further evidence of this as my spine was also affected and the very gradual loss of height was becoming on-going. From then on it was all a wee bit of a nightmare to say the least, as well as having to cope with the embarrassment of having something wrong with me that I thought ony affected old women. I saw a specialist and had to attend a clinic and it really messed up my life. The cause of all this was very difficult to prove but it seems that some kind of hormonal problems were involved, plus the fact that the drugs I had been taking may have been part of the cause as well, and also a very significant calcium deficiency in my body. It seemed that I had had low bone density all the way through my teens but nobody ever thinks a teenage lad would suffer from that problem do they? I now have to take various forms of treatment to combat the problem and at times the pains in my back and legs are difficult to cope with at times, and playing sport of any kind is now out of the question because of the risk of fractures. Also I continued to shrink some more in height after the final diagnosis of my condition and at almost 27 that is hard to deal with and now I measure out at about 160cm full standing height (just under 5'3") a loss of about 8cm (3 inches). I have also had to go down two sizes in shoes which is amazing as I began to find my shoes slipping off my feet which was weird. I know it's a long time since the Cpush posted details of his situation but I really would like to know how he has got on as this problem really is a serious one and quite rare in younger men. I hope he lets us know.

03-17-2009, 12:53 AM	#10
dbkooper Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 6	Hello, Your posture may have gotten worse if you have been less conscious about it over the years. Maybe put more effort into checking and fixing your posture continuously throughout the day and you might get your full height back. Also, you can try some stretching to help losing up your back a little bit. This is a common way to increase your height over time. Check the free ebook in my sig for some examples. Wish you could be just a couple inches taller? Free Ebook - How to Get Taller by 3 to 4 Inches: For Adults.

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08-16-2006, 09:58 AM	#3
Vieope Monochromatic Bunny Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: drinking coffee.. Posts: 14,967 Photos: 10	Did you get thin? Perhaps some of your fat was stored in the bottom of your feet or between your spine maybe joints.

08-16-2006, 10:01 AM	#4
cpush Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 224	^ I was also considering this as I've lost some, which I'm currently trying to put back on... (weight that is, not fat )

08-16-2006, 10:56 AM	#5
Trouble Anti-mediocrity Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: On Loan From A Distant Star System Posts: 2,076 Photos: 2	Half an inch change in two years, with a consistant trend (rather than either side of an averaged number, which would indicate simple variation in accuracy) is a bit curious, especially at your age. Talk to your doctor, ask him if you should have a bone density scan. Diet and lifestyle factors appear to be at play within a segment of the younger population, in recent medical reports of thin bones and enbrittlement among young men playing sports. I have been approached for help by several who reported unusual torsional breaks in long bones - these were young men in semi-pro sports like soccor and X-treme events. They appeared to have symptoms of osteoporosis, despite use of vitamin D and calcium supps.

08-16-2006, 11:08 AM	#6
cpush Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 224	That's interesting. I dont think I've had any fragile bone traits. I run quite often and haven't noticed anything. It's something I could consider looking into. For those losing this bit of height, is it gone for good? or can the effects be reversed and could one be able to gain the inch back?

08-16-2006, 08:32 PM	#7
Trouble Anti-mediocrity Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: On Loan From A Distant Star System Posts: 2,076 Photos: 2	First, lets see if your doctor can determine if there is a bone density problem. If so, then we'll talk about stopping the progression and the potential for reversing it. There maybe nothing more here than inaccurate height measurements.