Growth hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, is essential for growth and development, especially in children and teenagers. As we age, growth hormone levels naturally decline, but some people experience a more severe drop, leading to growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
Symptoms of low growth hormone may include:
Severely low growth hormone in children can result in short stature. While adults don't physically grow taller with treatment, restoring growth hormone levels can help improve many of the symptoms above.
Causes for growth hormone deficiency include:
Low growth hormone is diagnosed through blood tests spotting insufficient IGF-1 levels. IGF-1, or insulin-like growth factor 1, is stimulated by growth hormone and helps regulate growth. An IGF-1 level substantially below normal for one's age and sex indicates poor growth hormone production.
If growth hormone deficiency is suspected, an endocrinologist may order stimulation testing which assesses the pituitary's capacity to produce growth hormone after being stimulated.
Treatment involves daily growth hormone injections - a proven safe and effective approach, though quite expensive. Maintaining patient motivation with the daily injections can prove challenging.
Fortunately, excellent patient support programs are available through clinics like Vitality Hormone Center. Their endocrinologists specialize in growth disorders and provide comprehensive, compassionate care. Vitality Hormone Center offers both in-person and telehealth options for greater convenience, with most major insurance plans accepted.
In children, restoring growth hormone levels enables reaching full height potential. For both kids and adults, treatment helps normalize metabolism, body composition, bone density, and cardiac function. Most patients report greatly improved energy, cognitive function, emotional health and quality of life.
While lifelong treatment is often necessary, the profound benefits make it worthwhile for those with growth hormone deficiency. Catching it early and following an expert's treatment protocol can help patients thrive. If you or a loved one exhibit potential symptoms, consider reaching out to a clinic like Vitality Hormone Center for an evaluation. Appropriate growth hormone therapy, combined with lifestyle measures like smart nutrition and regular exercise, can help recapture one's vitality.