Human Growth Hormone Therapy

Human growth hormone plays a great role in many processes that take place in the human body. One of the benefits of HGH is that it is essential for the routine child growth. Human growth hormone therapy can help children who are failing to grow at a normal rate due to a hormone deficiency.

Human growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland. If there is a decreased amount of growth hormone production, it may cause a failure child growth. An increased production results in excessive growth. A human growth hormone deficiency is called hypopituitarism.

There are 4 types of hormones that play a great role in the growth process. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Cortisol allows the body to respond to stress. However, an overproduction of cortisol may cause a growth deficiency. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) spurs the thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormone. This hormone is responsible for metabolism and growth. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Lutenizing Hormone (LH) are needed in order for the ovaries or testes to produce the sex hormones necessary for normal adolescent sexual development. Besides these hormones are needed to trigger a growth spurt at puberty.
If an insufficient amount of hormones are being produced, then a growth hormone deficiency can occur.

Besides it can be a result of a total absence of hormones. You should keep in mind that there may be other hormones deficiencies that occur along with growth hormone deficiency. A congenital deficiency (one present at birth) can occur because the pituitary gland did not form normally or a deficiency can result from an injury to the gland. Hypopituitarism can occur after a serious illness (encephalitis, meningitis). It may also happen after a head injury or tumor. However, in some cases no cause can be found.

If a parent is concerned about the child’s growth rate, then he should consult a physician regarding hormone therapy as a possible treatment.
If the doctor suspects a growth problem in the child, he/she will refer the parents and the child to a pediatric endocrinologist. This doctor specializes in treating hormonal disorders in children. Endocrinologist will take a complete medical history for the child. Doctor will ask questions about the heights of family members. Besides he/she will ask, if there were any complications during pregnancy or delivery.

Doctor will make a physical examination. After that he/she will probably want to see an X-ray of the child’s hand and wrist. It will help the doctor  to determine if development is on track. In addition, a blood test may be needed to determine if there is a thyroid hormone deficiency or a problem with the child’s bones, kidneys or gastrointestinal system. The blood test will help to measure the amount of insulin-like growth factor in the blood. But if all these tests don’t show evidence of a deficiency, then more advanced tests may be necessary.

As a rule human growth hormone injections are used to treat the deficiency. The treatment with the help of injections may be required daily or a few times per week. It depends on the particular child’s problem. Parents can see the results just after a few months. Usually the treatment may continue for several years until the maximum growth potential is attained or the child reaches an adult height that is acceptable. When there are other hormonal deficiencies (reduced amounts of cortisol, limited amounts of the thyroid or sex hormones), treatment can begin to increase the amounts of these hormones.

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