Low growth hormone - Wellness Clinic

What is Low Growth Hormone?

Growth hormone (GH) is an important hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration. Some key facts about low GH:

What causes low GH?

• Childhood GH deficiency: can be present from birth due to genetic mutations, or develop later due to brain injury/tumor or radiation treatment
• Adult GH deficiency: commonly caused by damage to the pituitary from a tumor, trauma, or radiation treatment

Signs and symptoms

• Children: slowed growth velocity, short stature for age
• Adults: increased body fat, decreased muscle mass and strength, low energy, impacts on cholesterol, bone mineral density, and cardiovascular health

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose GH deficiency through blood tests measuring IGF-1 and GH levels and rarely stimulation tests. Imaging of the pituitary may be done to check for abnormalities.

Treatment

• Daily injections of biosynthetic human GH to replace the missing hormone
• Dosage adjusted based on factors like age, sex, and treatment response
• Treatment continued until final adult height in kids

Treatment can help normalize height in kids and improve body composition and metabolic factors in both kids and adults. Close monitoring for side effects is important.

While a concise overview, this covers some key aspects in a reader-friendly way. For more information, consult a specialist at Wellness Clinic.