I became shorter on HRT

[Mirya]

I really did not expect this to happen, but I lost some height since starting HRT.  I know that HRT isn't supposed to affect one's bone/skeletal structure, but the fact is that I'm shorter now.

Before transitioning, I was 5' 8".  Recently I went to the doctor's office for a routine physical, and the nurse measured me at 5' 6.5".  I was surprised, so I asked her to measure me again.  Sure enough, 5' 6.5".  Several months ago, I had been at a different clinic and they measured me at 5' 7".  So it seems I've gradually lost an inch and a half.  And since these measurements were done by a nurse at a doctor's office, they're likely accurate.

Anyone else had a similar experience?  I'm pleasantly surprised that this happened. 

[jentay1367]

I've seemed to have lost an inch...maybe a little more. I think it's got something to do with pelvic tilt and ligament & tendon shrinkage. Anyways , it's absolutely welcomed.

[staciM]

One thing to consider is when throughout the day these various measurements were taken.  In the morning, I'm taller by almost an inch than in the evening.  I'm pre-HRT and in excellent health.

[Deborah]

I lost maybe a half inch in the past 40 years but nothing on two years of HRT. 


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

[Mirya]

One thing to consider is when throughout the day these various measurements were taken.  In the morning, I'm taller by almost an inch than in the evening.  I'm pre-HRT and in excellent health.

I hadn't thought of that, but all my measurements were taken in the morning anyway.

[Dena]

About 1977 on my pre HRT exam I measured 6' 1 3/4". About 10 years ago I was measure by a doctor again and I measured 6'2". Ok, I admit it, I was slouching when the first measurement was taken.

[DuchessBianca]

I don't believe I've lost any height so far in my 9.5 months on HRT, the same sliver from 5'9 that I've always been, would certainly love to lose an inch or two but it's not something I'm expecting, will be interested to see if there are any changes come my checkup in July. Though weirdly I feel shorter as whenever I look in the mirror, maybe it's just a random mind perspective thing but I feel as if I'm 5'4 even though I'm not Haha

[Barb99]

I had always been 5'9" from the end of high school through sometime in my 40's (last time I can remember being officially measured)

When I started HRT, almost 2 years ago at age 59, I measured myself at 5'7". I just had that measurement verified at my last doctors appointment 2 days ago (afternoon appointment). So sometime between my mid 40's and 59 I lost 2". I have no health problems or back problems so I wonder how I managed to shrink?

[AshleyP]

So sometime between my mid 40's and 59 I lost 2". I have no health problems or back problems so I wonder how I managed to shrink?

I don't think it's uncommon. I lost about 1.5" from when I was younger to my 60's. However, I would call it getting shorter, not shrinking. My belly certainly didn't shrink.

All the best,
--AshleyP

[KayXo]

I personally would be worried if I lost some height as this could indicate bone loss (i.e. osteoporosis). Too little E can cause this.

[jentay1367]

Age and disk compression can do it all by itself. A good many lose 3 to 4 tenths of an inch every decade after the age of 40. Like the old saying goes,  if you're not growing...you're going.  Few ol timers are the height they were in their youth. And not all of them have bone loss.

[KayXo]

Age and disk compression can do it all by itself. A good many lose 3 to 4 tenths of an inch every decade after the age of 40. Like the old saying goes,  if you're not growing...you're going.  Few ol timers are the height they were in their youth.

Because of declining hormone levels. In our case, if we continue to take hormones, things will be different.

[SadieBlake]

Could be the doc. While you'd think their equipment was simple enough, my dr office measured me about 2 years ago and came up with 5' 9", having been 5' 11¾" since 20 I was dubious and so I checked myself and came up with 5'11"+.

Just a couple months back my new doc did another measure and called me 5'10", I called bs, asked her to chexk, she did and still had 5'10". So I went home, stood by wall, had my gf put a carpenter square to wall & my head and make a mark and sure enough 5' 11½".

I don't mind some spinal compression costing me some height, but since they're basing recommendations on BMI, next time I go to the docs I'm bringing my own tape measure to check their equipment.