Possible loss of height or bad measure???

[edward_elric1999]

About ten months ago I went to my family's doctor and the nurse took my height and weight. She measured me as 6'1" in no shoes. Earlier today, I went to a nurse practitioner near my place of work. She measured me as 5'11 and 1/8" also barefoot. This is a difference of nearly two inches! I've heard of variances of a quarter or even half inch based on what time of day the measurement is and the scale/rod itself, but not this big of a difference.

I've always thought I was between 6' and 6'1" based on other people's heights, and I don't feel as though I've gotten shorter recently. But I've heard about certain diseases that can cause loss of height, so I am a bit concerned.

The one thing I am wondering is if the height of the person measuring could make a difference. My family doctor's nurse is probably about 5'6" or so and I think she is always in scrubs and sneakers, as best I can remember. But the nurse practitioner today was very tall, and she was wearing high heels. She was definitely a little taller than me, I am guessing maybe 6'2" or maybe even 6'3" with the heels. I don't know how this could be, but is there any reason why she might measure me differently than a shorter nurse? It doesn't seem like that would make any sense, but if her measurement is right, it appears I have shrunk, and that will be of a lot of concern to me.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[expand capital punishment]

I would ask your nurse practitioner about it. There are certain diseases that can in fact result in loss of height, so you should take it seriously. Tell her what height you were measured at last time (maybe you even still have the paperwork or can get it online?). Two inches is a big difference.

But it is equally possible that you were "over measured" the previous time. I think it is safe to assume that a person taller than you (as you say the nurse practitioner is) would be more likely to measure your height properly, as she can see over the top of your head and not have to stretch to measure you (as some short nurses do, and this can result in bad measurements). Also the fact that she was precise down to an 1/8" may indicate that it was a more accurate reading than the prior one (unfortunately).

I would mention it to her though, just to rule out any abnormalities.