What is low growth hormone?
Growth hormone, also known as somatotropin, is a peptide hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth and cell reproduction. It plays a key role in growth during childhood and adolescence. Low levels of growth hormone can lead to growth failure and short stature.
Some key facts about low growth hormone:
- Causes: Low growth hormone can be caused by problems or damage to the pituitary gland. Other causes include genetic mutations, inflammatory diseases, head injuries, and radiation treatment.
- Symptoms: Common symptoms of growth hormone deficiency include short height, lack of growth/slow growth rate, increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, soft bones, and delayed puberty. Facial features may look younger than children of the same age.
- Diagnosis: Doctors will take a full medical history, conduct physical exams tracking growth over time, and order blood tests to measure IGF-1 and growth hormone levels. Stimulation tests may also be done.
- Treatment: The main treatment for low growth hormone is synthetic growth hormone injections given regularly to make up for the deficiency. The earlier treatment begins, the more growth potential. Treatment is continued until the end of puberty.
- Effects of untreated deficiency: Without treatment, growth hormone deficiency can significantly reduce adult height potential. It also carries risks like obesity, osteoporosis, fatigue, cardiovascular problems, and metabolic syndrome.
- Childhood onset vs adult onset: Low growth hormone can occur in both children (childhood onset) and adults (adult onset). Childhood onset leads to short stature while adult onset mainly causes metabolic effects.
- Other complications: Children with untreated growth hormone deficiency are at risk for psychosocial problems due to appearance and height. Adults may have impacts on quality of life.
If your child is showing symptoms of abnormally slow growth and short stature, consult their pediatrician. They can check for growth hormone deficiency and other possible causes. The sooner it is addressed, the better the outcomes. If treatment is needed, rest assured that daily growth hormone therapy is very effective at helping children reach a normal height.
At Vital Hormone Clinic, our endocrinology experts specialize in growth disorders and growth hormone treatment. We conduct thorough testing and work closely with pediatricians to determine if growth hormone therapy could benefit your child. Vital Hormone Clinic uses state-of-the-art treatment protocols and top quality hormones to help children grow to their full potential. Contact us today to learn more and schedule an evaluation. We're here to help your child thrive.