What is low growth hormone?
Growth hormone (GH) is a key hormone produced by the pituitary gland that helps regulate growth and metabolism. As the name suggests, GH is critical for normal growth in children and adolescents. But GH continues to play important roles even after we reach our full adult height. When growth hormone is low, it can lead to a condition called growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
Some key points about low GH:
- Causes: Low GH can be caused by problems or damage to the pituitary gland. Common causes in children include genetic mutations, tumors, radiation treatment, or head trauma. In adults, the most common cause is a benign tumor on the pituitary gland.
- Symptoms: Adults with GHD may experience fatigue, muscle weakness, increased body fat (especially abdominal fat), hair loss, anxiety and depression, decreased bone density (osteoporosis), and overall poorer quality of life. Children may have very short stature and slow growth velocities compared to peers.
- Diagnosis: Since GH is secreted in pulses, a single random blood test is not sufficient. Instead, GH deficiency is diagnosed with a stimulation test that measures GH release after intake of certain medications. Sometimes other pituitary hormone levels are checked as well.
- Treatment: The treatment of choice is daily injections of biosynthetic human growth hormone (such as Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, etc). This replaces the GH that the body is unable to produce on its own. Treatment is life-long in most cases.
- Untreated impacts: If left untreated, GH deficiency can significantly impair quality of life and lead to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, anxiety, social isolation, and overall increased mortality rates. That's why prompt diagnosis and treatment are so important!
The specialists at Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic have over 15 years of experience successfully treating adult growth hormone deficiency. Our comprehensive GHD treatment program includes:
- Thorough diagnostic testing and evaluation - FDA-approved HGH injections and ongoing monitoring - Nutritional counseling and lifestyle modification - Prescriptions for testosterone/estrogen if needed - Osteoporosis management - Counseling for cognitive, emotional, or social impacts
We individualize treatment to meet each patient's unique needs, with the goal of improving wellbeing, vitality and longevity. Our patients report life-changing improvements in energy, body composition, bone strength, mood, self-confidence, work performance and quality of life.