Which hormone is responsible for making a person taller?

The hormone responsible for making a person taller is growth hormone. This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and plays a critical role in growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration. During childhood and adolescence, growth hormone stimulates the liver and other tissues to produce insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which promotes the growth of bones and cartilage, thereby contributing to increases in height.

Growth hormone influences multiple processes in the body, including protein synthesis, fat metabolism, and overall energy levels. This is especially significant during the growth spurts experienced during puberty when the effects of growth hormone are most pronounced.

In contrast, testosterone is primarily associated with the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and muscle mass rather than directly influencing height. While insulin is important for regulating glucose levels and can have some effects on growth, it is not the primary hormone responsible for height increase. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can actually inhibit growth if present in elevated levels for prolonged periods, as it may negatively impact the growth hormone's effects. Therefore, growth hormone is the key player when it comes to increasing height during the pivotal growth periods of development.