Still growing at 46 years old?

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, Dr. I am 46 year's old and seeming still growing higher, being noticed by friends, is this possible? I did not realize this. Is this a problem? I feel no difference and normal as well . Pls kindly explain and get me some advice then.

Dear Peter: Well, the opinion of your friends is relative and subjective; you can check an older picture of you, compare it with a recent one and determine if there are real changes. Normally the growth process ends when the bone plates close, these are the parts of the bone in which the growth takes place, the closure happens at the end of the puberty mostly by the hormones effect. But there are some abnormal conditions that have to do with growth hormones that can make the person keep growing called Acromegaly which is a rare disease. In the United States, the condition is newly diagnosed in about 3-4 people per million per year. About 1 person per 20,000 is estimated to have acromegaly. The most common age at diagnosis is 40-45 years, although it can affect any age. Acromegaly can occur in children. When it does, it is called Gigantism(from the word for giant), because abnormal growth of the long bones of the arms and legs makes the child unusually tall. People with acromegaly have almost twice the chance of dying prematurely as healthy people. Fortunately, treatment is available that can prevent serious complications and premature death. Before the condition can be treated, however, it must be recognized. Random measurement of growth hormone in the blood is usually not useful, as levels of the hormone fluctuate unpredictably. IGF-1 level is much more stable and predictable than growth hormone level. Thus, measurement of IGF-1 level is considered the most reliable test for acromegaly.