So I’m 20 years old. I was growing in my teen years and at 17 I stopped and never grew again. I also don’t look my age, when people guess it’s always the age range from 12-17. What I Mean by I stopped growing, I haven’t got taller, my muscle mass hasn’t increased, my face and shape haven’t changed, voice hasn’t changed nothing else. I’ve been trying to find every possible answer on google for this but been able to find nothing. I’ve even gone to the doctor for blood test to make sure everything is coming back fine. I’ve done Testosterone check, hormone check, urine test and it all comes back normal.
And then what makes this even more unusual, I have pubic hair, armpit hair, slight bit of facial hair, and starting to get chest hair. I was thinking to myself I have a hormone Deficiency or an infection. But if I had a deficiency or infection, it’s most likley I would have known by now because of blood tests. And if it went untreated, it’s most likley I would have side effects. It’s like I stopped going through puberty. I don’t know what else, it’s a mystery.
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Come back to me when ur 40 , u will be so happy with how u look, and if ur extra worried, then just go to ur pcp and ask them what they think,
I don’t think it’s a mystery or that deep. You’re overthinking. This happens to some people. 🤷🏽♀️
Some folks go through a second puberty in their twenties. Hormone changes are constant and truly a bit mysterious. Maybe that will happen with you? I look younger than I am always, in my 20s that did make it hard around job promotions and even sometimes to get hired and dating too. Hopefully that won’t be the case for you
Go see a doctor, that should be your first stop every time you have a medical concern
Look at your family
Ask dad what was happening to him at this age
Not a mystery, it’s just you as an individual. How did your dad look like at your age?
You’re too young still to be worried about how “behind” you think your body is. You will continue to age as you get older. Your muscle mass will grow and take shape. Your body hair will start coming in thicker and fuller (probably, depends on your genes) and you will be just fine. At 20 I didn’t have too much body hair yet. Not compared to in my 30’s. Just enjoy being young still and don’t sweat the small stuff. There’s plenty of time to do that when you’re 40 and trying to figure out what the fuck just happened
You’re way overthinking this out of insecurity, you’re likely fine. Men go through secondary puberty almost. My boyfriend is of a slender frame, average height, was underweight for many years even though he ate normally. He looked like a teenage boy into his early 20s. He’s 27 now and actually looks it– he has a full beard and gained the healthy weight and is even getting a little bit overweight. He worried about the same thing and wound up fine. Don’t worry.
I stopped growing at about 14 and then had a growth spurt at 21! Suddenly all my jeans and skirts were too short. It can happen.
My ex couldn’t grow any facial hair until his mid-20s. I wouldn’t stress too much unless you notice any metabolic issues that impact your day-to-day life. There’s that saying that “girls mature faster than boys” and idk how much science is involved in that, but it does seem to be true to an extent.
If it’s really bothering you or making you anxious, there’s nothing wrong with asking a doctor for their feedback. I’m willing to bet that it’s nothing to worry about, though!
There is a lot being done to lower testosterone in men. They are feminizing men because a weakened male society is easier to overpower. I would research ways to increase testosterone.
Off the top of my head, I would say, if you wish to continue growing / grow a little more, I would get in touch with an endocrinologist and discuss possible treatment using HGH (human growth hormone). It can increase height, square the jaw, and increase muscle mass.
(Note: It is often used – in excess – by bodybuilders. 💪🏻)
The guy who played in the original Karate Kid looked half his age his whole life
Maybe you’re just done.
Maybe this is as good as you get.
You should see a doctor to have your hormone levels checked. If they’re ok don’t worry if not get that as straight as you can.
What kind of doctor did you see? If you haven’t already, see an Endocrinologist. They can help.
My younger brother didn’t finish growing until he was well past 18 and he shot up a foot. He came back home for a visit and we were all shocked at how tall he was. I don’t think you’re done growing yet.
I’m 36 and get mistaken for 22/23 all the time. Just enjoy it. Also… one of my best friends in junior high had the same issue but he got stuck looking 15 until he hit 30.
His issue was called hypopituitarism
My husband is 35. We’ve been together for the last 14 years and can say we grew up together. When I met him at 21, he couldn’t really grow a beard, and his face and stature were still very boyish. Right about the time he hit 26 he grew another 2 inches, bringing his final height to 6’6. By 30, his shoulders finally got broader and his facial hair finally filled in by 32. Some men develop a bit later and that’s okay.
Ur crazy
You’ll change throughout the years. Too young to be worrying about this kind of stuff. Especially muscle mass, like my brother in Christ go to the gym.
Another thing you can do is have the bones in your forearm in the xray. Our eldest son was 90% for most of his life for height and when he hit middle school all of a sudden he stopped growing for a bit lol I got worried and took him to a specialist that deals with hormones for growth and that’s the first test she did. She told us that while our son had a pause in his growing it was normal looking based on his bone presentation.
I’m half Korean but my fully Caucasian husband had a grandfather nicknamed shorty lol
I’m 5′ 8″ and so is my husband. All of my uncles on maternal side and paternal are 6′ and over.
Our oldest son turned out to be around 5′ 9″. Our 18 yr old daughter is 5′ 7″ and our 14 yr old son is 5′ 10″ already lol he’s trending taller. Same with our 11 yr old daughter who is 5′ something.
Have you asked a doctor?
You’re overthinking it …I was in my 30’s before I looked my age. Even now ones think I’m about 10yrs younger than I actually am, I’m not complaining 🤣
Not really abnormal. I did the same thing until I was about 24 then started looking just a bit older slowly. Some people just age well
I stopped getting taller at age 14. I’m a 5’9” woman. My dad was 6’2” and he also stopped growing taller at 14.
Some of is just achieve our full height at a young age. Don’t worry about it. Every other sign shows that you’ve developed normally, so this is probably just the way your particular genetics did things.
Some men gain several inches in height when they are in college. I have seen it. Don’t worry. If the doctors are telling you that you are fine, I am sure it’s fine. You are probably just seeing some of your friends going through physical changes but you may be one of those people that get it later. It’s still good.
Thats not a mystery
Youre done growing. You’ll look more or less the same for about 5 more years maybe 10 if you’re lucky then you’ll start to see a difference. But there just isn’t a lot of changes your body makes at your age.
there are a variety of disorders that would cause what you’re describing. I’ll go over those later.
you’re still very young. As others have said- it is not unusual. Full growth is around 25-30 years old. Thats Brain and body development. Then it’s downhill from there 😑
I grew 3 inches taller after I turned 20 years old. Everyone is different. I recommend looking into your family’s history/ ask or look at pictures of your family when they were young. Specifically teenage into early 30s.
all that being said: multiple people in my family have a genetic disorder that require steroids to promote growth. One is very short at 40 years old (4’11”) and the other looks like they’re prepubescent at 20, but a normal height.
Both have side effects from taking steroids and often will not take them because of that.
as I said in point 1 and 2, many things could be behind this, but it’s most likely normal. If you’re really concerned and your growth doesn’t match family history. You will have to PUSH your doctor to get the proper tests done. They may shrug it off as hypochondria. Stand up for yourself and ask for genetic testing, hormone levels, and connecting the dots from other symptoms you may not know are related to this. Such as muscle weakness, hyper flexibility, unusual dental development, irregular development of reproductive organs, etc etc
Lucky u! For me it was around age 12. What type of childhood did u have? Drs I’ve seen think its developmental or genetic… 🙄
Thyroid checked okay?
This was my husband until his late 20’s/ early 30’s. When our son was born when he was 24, everyone thought he was his brother or a teen dad.
He would never exercise because he was already so skinny, but once he hit his 30’s he found a program that worked for him and was able to build muscle using weights. That was also around the time he started being able to grow facial hair that didn’t look like a high schooler trying to look older.
This was me. I didn’t start really growing into 25 I say haha. Now I’m 41 and still look like I’m in my early thirties. But only after I shaved my head though once I started balding haha. You’re good. Trust me.
you’re talking about this like you’re benjamin button 😭😭😭
I have a cousin who stopped growing and turned out it was an issue with her pituitary gland. Have you had it checked?
Man, I didn’t get my grown-up body until I was almost 30 lol there are some people that just look young their entire lives I would be very thankful for that!
Have your pituitary gland checked, it’s reapnsible for the determining your height & age asthetics.
Late bloomer
I knew twins in high school who had neotenic complex syndrome. This sounds a lot like what they experienced, but I’m definitely not a doctor. I just remembered them. It was many years ago, but it was like their bodies stopped progressing. Even at 18, they looked like they were in middle school.
Have you been checked for Klinefelter’s syndrome?
Look at Timothee Chalamet and compare him to Sean Connery at the same age.
Some people just look youthful, and stay that way forever. Some people look 30 when they’re 15, and just age from there.
That being said, working out and dressing more maturely helps a LOT. Actual hairstyles, a beard, cologne, avoid teenage or young styles. If you think it’s really a deficiency (there will be other signs) go to a doctor and have blood tests done.
Are you double jointed? People who are double jointed tend to have baby faces.
There is a genetic condition that causes some people to never go through puberty – Kallmanns syndrome. They mention it in an episode of Elementary.
Also
https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/s/EnW0eBsD8D
You look like you look. You worry to much. Your fine.
Simon Birch? That you?
My dad looked like he was 12 until he was 24. Now he’s 74 and he looks like he’s 52. Be patient, yes it sucks but there are a few Ben
im a woman so obviously ill be affected differently then you, but i honestly feel like i havent changed much at all since i hit puberty. if i go back and look at pictures of myself i can see that i look a little different, i look a bit more mature, but once my body developed and i stopped growing taller i pretty much stayed the same, and i think thats pretty normal
its funny how everyone claims that how you look doesn’t matter, and yet everyone is so willing to take on the mantle of a wise elder and talk down to you, just based on the way you’ve described yourself.
You might be a “late bloomer” and fill out more as you age. I knew several guys in their late teens/early 20s that had the lean boy body and baby face who ended up looking quite masculine as they got to their mid 20s.
Don’t overthink it too much and just enjoy life.
Honestly, when you stop is completely individual. I stopped growing height at 13. My ex husband didn’t stop until 22! I’ve had 5 kids, all had different development time frames.
If you are male, you may not grow in height more since it’s been 3 years, but you may still get more muscle mass shift or other secondary signs. Very very few individuals reach 30 still looking like they are 20. If you do, as frustrating as it might feel, it means you have good genes!
One thing you can do, as often as possible, eat organic, free range, natural foods. A lot of the preservatives, pesticides, and food adatives interfere with your body’s endocrine system.
Maybe celiac disease inhibiting growth?
Genetics. It will happen soon enough. If worried go to another dr get full testing for any growth disorders. Otherwise rejoice because you win the youth lottery as a when you’re 40 you’ll love it
See an endocrinologist
I’m 36. I stopped growing around 17 or 18 as well. Which is pretty normal for people to stop growing around then. Im baby faced. I’m short about pretty skinny. Been this size my entire life. Majority of people think I’m in my mid twenties. I’ve almost not been let into bars because of how young I look. Luckily I can grow a beard and starting to get some greys, so I don’t look as young as I did. But still look pretty young.
Also have a client who is 48. She doesnt look a day over 30 and gorgeus.
But also have a couple clients who aren’t even 30 yet, and look older than me. Had a friend in high-school, dude look 34 at 18. He use to buy us beer haha
Everyone ages a little differently.
I looked twelve also at 17 through 22. I too went through puberty but didn’t have increased muscle mass or even grow an Adam’s apple. I had pubic hair but had zero on my face and chest. I didn’t start looking more mature until I hit my mid twenties. I was getting carded until my late thirties. Just be patient, this seems more genetic than anything else.
Why don’t you go see a doctor and get your hormones checked?
Happened to me too. It’s awesome. Early 20s were maybe a little awkward, but 30s and on it’s been great. In my 40s now and everyone just assumes I’m late 20s/early 30s. Just hang tight!
Your mystery is that you look young for your age?
You’re only 20! You ARE young!
You are no longer a child, but you’re in your infancy of adulthood – your brain doesn’t stop changing shape and growing until you’re 25.
You’re surprised that you have body hair that first arrived during puberty, (then thickens and becomes more full as we age), but what about facial hair?
You are unhappy with your physical appearance – join the rest of the 99% of the population.
How is this impeding your day to day life? Or is it your lack of confidence in who you are that’s causing you distress?
You’re probably just a late bloomer. I told someone today that I’m 70 and they were shocked.It’s happened throughout my life.It’s a bonus!
Start running a mile every day and begin a simple weight lifting routine. Cut out all sugar & ultra processed carbohydrates. You’re 20. do this for 6 years. I couldn’t grow a beard until I was 26. I now have strangers stop me once a month to compliment me on my beard
I stopped growing in height at 12. and honestly I fear I may be shrinking.. I swear I was taller a few years ago..
Just go with it and accept it
Some people are late bloomers. Don’t worry about it. All these things you’re worried about will benefit you in the future. Everyone’s gonna look older and you’ll look like you’ve drank from the fountain of youth.
Have you been tested for celiac disease? Do you ever feel ill after eating wheat products?
This sounds like what happened to my grandfather. Back in the 50s I believe he was a teenager and stopped growing at about 16 years old. Went into the Navy at about 5’8” and scrawny. I believe at around age 22-23, he had a spurt and grew another seven inches and got some more adult body mass. Bodies are strange and this might just be what happened to you!
I was the same way growing up. Almost 40 now, and I look it. When I stopped getting carded, I knew I looked my age. Enjoy looking young.
Have a friend went through this growing up also. He went to his “regular” doctors as well and finally an endocrinologist. That’s where you want to be if you’re wanting the most appropriate doctor:professional for this situation. It’ll be ok.
So how often do you work out? That’s the only way to get muscle mass. Calisthenics, bouldering skateboarding. If you’re not doing any physical activity you won’t have any muscle mass. I also forgot to mention muscle mass depends on the food that you’re eating. High protein healthy.
lol come back in 10 years
Poor you, I stopped growing in like 5th grade lol
You’ll be fine. You will grow some people just grow slower.
Basically the same story here. I finally stopped getting carded at 40ish. People kept saying if you’ll enjoy this when you are in your 40’s. Well I’m 48 and I still don’t really enjoy it. Maybe when I’m in my 60’s? Finally got some gray hair at 45 and I think that broke the curse due the most part.
Count your blessings, at 15 I was in bars drinking! I am the youngest of 7, and have always been guessed older than I was! Now at 66 I look like I am in my 70’s. I have always been thin, and now it doesn’t look so good being this thin! But I look at like this, at least I am alive, relatively healthy. Enjoy the good life while you have it! There are many people that would love to be in your shoes!
there may be something wrong. but 3 years is nothing.
See a Dr, have your hormone levels checked, it could be caused by a tumor or something. You shouldn’t wait.
For me this is no different than at 13 years old I was thinking about how I hated my name, and didn’t think it fit me – I eventually embraced it and forced my name to grow into a representation of me. It was an all mental battle that took years, but I wouldn’t have it any other way now – I’ve become my name, and my name has become a reflection of me. What you’re describing isn’t very different, I’m 32 and a whopping 5’4″ 135lbs. Small stature when every other male in my family is rolling around 6’2″ 230lbs. It’s all about mindset. You may have stopped growing, but are you really interested in a reason? If you find an explanation, no amount of deliberation is going to alter your situation. I think you’d be better off accepting it as it lies and growing in spite of it.
Edit: By the way, I’m a very analytical person too. I have to deduce some sort of logical causality chain for anything to understand it, and it’ll drive me insane until I do. Certain things are immutable though, and the earlier we can accept that, the more time we have to grow and develop around our PERCIEVED shortcomings.
I’m 48 and still look like 37-38
I thought the same thing until I turned 30 and was like where did all this belly fat and grey hair come from
Kid I went to high-school with was 5′ 2″ and 110 lbs when we graduated. He stayed that way into early 20’s. Around 23-25, he grew to over 6′ tall and probably 250 – 280 lbs. Extreme case, I know…but it happens.
man i stopped growing at 10. i’m turning 21 this year 😅 i got to 4’11 and my body said “no more for you” i guess and my face as well.. everywhere i go it’s “what grade are you in?” (i graduated 3 years ago) when i went to buy a car with my dad the man said “is this a present for when you turn 16?” i was 20. when i apply to a job “you have to be over 18 to work here” IM 20. i had someone tell me last week “no way you’re 20! i thought you were 14??” i don’t mind being short but it’s very irritating when people bend down and speak to me like i’m a child
Now that you’re bigger (than you were when you were 12) your body needs more energy to grow (muscle mass, fat, etc) so it’s probably down to your diet. What’s a normal diet to you could be very lacking in nutrition or just not a lot in terms of volume and when you were young, your body could get by on it because it had a higher metabolism rate and better digestive rate.
In my teens, I was slender frame, thin and didnt grow much except in height. Changed my diet and did more exercise and low and behold it worked. It’s all to do with your diet.
What happened 4 years ago?
Covid pandemic . Trauma from being alone at a crucial time if development.
Covid shots if you got one that could be a cause.
5g towers started popping up everywhere.
Or what other causes do you think?
Also maybe you’re just young looking? It’s not a bad thing.. some actors make a living off it.
If you feel like you have some sort of medical issue, ask your family doctor for a referral to an endocrinologist. I’m not a doctor, but I believe the endocrine system has a lot to do with growth and development.
I grew extremely fast between 8 and 13, so much so I had growing pains and was v tall until everyone else caught up. Now I’m above average height but not very tall. The extra 3/4 inch at 20 something was a surprise though.