The effect of testosterone on linear growth is complex. At puberty, the initial increase of testosterone stimulates growth hormone secretion (probably via intermediate conversion to estradiol), inducing what is called a “growth spurt”. However, testosterone also leads to fusion of the epiphyseal growth plate closure, thus stopping growth (no matter what levels of growth hormone there are).
In fact, when testosterone levels start to rise earlier than normally, which is called “precocious puberty”, final height is lower than normal. And conversely, males with hypogonadism (low or very low testosterone production) tend to be taller, because they continue to grow for longer.
In short, if you are less than 18 and considering to take androgens or testosterone to increase your height, don’t: it won’t work, and it is actually likely to have the opposite effect.
This is why men in 1900s are shorter
In fact, when testosterone levels start to rise earlier than normally, which is called “precocious puberty”, final height is lower than normal. And conversely, males with hypogonadism (low or very low testosterone production) tend to be taller, because they continue to grow for longer.
In short, if you are less than 18 and considering to take androgens or testosterone to increase your height, don’t: it won’t work, and it is actually likely to have the opposite effect.
This is why men in 1900s are shorter
Now that I think about it, maybe there's more factors affecting growth: dairy consumption stimulates the mTORC1 pathway, which causes an increase in growth too.
