Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency Syndrome

What is growth hormone?

Growth Hormone is one of many hormones that is secreted by glands into your bloodstream. They control nearly all of your body's functions including growth and development, reproduction, healing, mental functioning, and even your behavior and moods. Growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland that hangs from the bottom of your brain. Growth hormone (GH) travels throughout your body, doing the following:

Controls protein synthesis and repair
Tells your body how fast to burn fat and calories
Develops strong bone structure and muscle mass in children and adults

In adults, GH levels are assumed to gradually decrease due to just age.

What causes deficiency in growth hormone?

Sometimes your pituitary gland doesn't secrete enough of its hormones due to any form of head trauma, stroke, x-rays(dental, CT Scan), chemotherapy, difficult labor and delivery, and certain medications. When this happens it is called hypopituitism. It's unusual for adults to have a deficiency of growth hormone alone. As a rule, most people who don't have enough growth hormone will also have a shortage of other hormones secreted by the pituitary gland.

How can adults replace growth hormone?

Many adults can be treated with hormone replacement therapy or with a Secretagogue that stimulates the pituitary gland to increase production and release of Growth Hormone. This is a very safe and inexpensive manner to help improve the level of Growth Hormone in the body (SECRETROPIN).

Why do adults need to replace growth hormone?

A deficiency in growth hormone can affect adults in many ways. Some patients tend to store fat, especially in the abdomen. Cholesterol levels tend to go up. This can increase the risk of both heart attack and stroke. Muscle mass can be reduced, which in turn can affect your physical performance. Because of the reduced muscle mass, exercise alone can't improve the problem. Many patients also experience a loss of energy and vitality. Bone density can also be diminished, putting you at an increased risk of fracture.Growth hormone therapy can reverse those symptoms. Muscle mass and stamina increases, body fat decreases, and patients generally feel better all around. However, as an adult at your full height, you cannot expect to grow any taller.

How is growth hormone taken?

Like many drugs, growth hormone cannot be taken as capsules or tablets because the hormone stops working once it passes through your digestive tract. Instead, it is injected daily under the skin, much like insulin. Daily doses of growth hormone can be injected using a syringe or a pen device.

What kind of results can patients expect?

The aim of growth hormone replacement therapy is to help you return to leading a normal life. Although no two patients are alike, most will experience increased physical and mental energy levels. A reduction in body fat and cholesterol levels may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Many will also feel better and have a greater ability to cope with life.