Q: I am a 20 years old male, 6 feet tall and weigh 74 kg. My waist is 32 cm. I feel that I look 10 years elder to my age because of fat deposition on my face, tummy, hips and thighs. Why do I look so? I feel severely depressed when I look at myself. At times, I think that I have a good physique but most of the times, I am depressed about my structure and looks. Do I have some hormonal problem? Should I get my GH levels and thyroid tests done? Which other tests do you recommend? I fear that if I start exercising, it will further increase my height, which I don't want. What shall I do?

A:You should be proud of your physique. It is perfectly fine. You can go ahead with exercise. It will not increase your height as by this time your epiphyses have already fused. Just get yourself clinically examined from a physician/endocrinologist for hyperthyroidism and gigantism point of view. If not so then get T4, TSH and GH levels 60 minutes after 75 gm glucose. If normal, then stop worrying and concentrate on your studies.