What is Growth Hormone and What are the Symptoms of Deficiency?

Growth hormone is a hormone that plays an important role in the development and growth of the body. This hormone, secreted by the pituitary gland, supports bone lengthening, increased muscle mass and general body development during childhood. Therefore, a deficiency of growth hormone can affect these important processes. This deficiency can cause short stature in children and a decrease in energy level and muscle mass in adults.

What is Growth Hormone?

Growth hormone is an endocrine gland hormone that has various important functions in the body. The main function of this hormone is to support growth and cell proliferation. It also regulates metabolism and affects body composition by increasing protein synthesis. Growth hormone promotes bone and cartilage growth, especially in children. Therefore, during childhood and adolescence, adequate growth hormone secretion is critical for normal growth and development. In adults, growth hormone regulates fat metabolism in the body, maintains muscle mass and affects energy balance. At the same time, growth hormone stimulates the secretion of another hormone called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 contributes to bone and tissue growth by increasing the effects of growth hormone. However, sometimes there may be insufficient growth hormone secretion in the body. This condition is called growth hormone deficiency. Growth hormone deficiency is a condition that affects the body’s normal growth and development processes. This condition occurs especially during childhood and may develop due to genetic factors or other causes. It causes the body to not produce enough growth hormone and therefore the normal growth rate cannot occur.

What are the Symptoms of Growth Hormone Deficiency?

Growth hormone deficiency refers to the inability to produce enough growth hormone in the body and can manifest itself with various symptoms. These symptoms are usually noticed in childhood. But sometimes it can also occur in adulthood. Symptoms of growth hormone deficiency include:

• Short Length: Children with growth hormone deficiency may be shorter than other children for their age. This condition is caused by the body’s inability to increase bone length.
• Being Underweight: Growth hormone deficiency can affect the regulation of muscle mass and body fat. Therefore, people with growth hormone deficiency may be underweight.
• Low Energy Levels: Growth hormone deficiency can negatively impact energy levels. A general feeling of weakness and lack of energy can be observed in individuals.
• Slow Bone Development: Deficiency of growth hormone can affect the proliferation of bone cells and the development of bone tissue, causing slow bone development.
• Low Fat Tissue: Growth hormone deficiency can make it difficult to regulate body fat tissue. This can lead to low levels of fat tissue in individuals.

What are the Causes of Growth Hormone Deficiency?

Growth hormone deficiency can be due to various causes, such as genetic factors, damage to the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, tumors, medication use and radiation therapy. The main factors that play a role in the emergence of this complex situation are:

• Genetic Factors: There may be a genetic predisposition in people with a family history of growth hormone deficiency. This condition may be caused by the presence of a genetic defect in growth hormone production or function.
• Hypothalamus or Pituitary Damage: The hypothalamus and pituitary glands are important regions responsible for the regulation of growth hormone. Damage to these areas may cause growth hormone deficiency. In particular, complications experienced during birth, head injuries or tumors can trigger this condition by affecting the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.
• Tumors and Masses: Tumors or masses developing in various parts of the body can lead to growth hormone deficiency. These tumors can interfere with normal hormone production, especially when they put pressure on the pituitary gland.
• Inflammatory Diseases: It may negatively affect growth hormone production with some inflammatory disease. Autoimmune diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus, can cause growth hormone deficiency.
• Drug Use: Some medications can cause growth hormone deficiency with long-term use. Corticosteroids are among the drugs that can cause this condition.
• Radiation Therapy: When radiation therapy is applied to the head or neck area, it can cause damage to the pituitary gland, leading to growth hormone deficiency.

What are the Consequences of Growth Hormone Deficiency?

Growth hormone deficiency can affect many systems of the body. This condition usually begins in childhood and negatively affects the normal growth and development of the body. Growth hormone deficiency in children typically leads to short stature and growth failure. These children may be shorter than their peers and their growth rate may be inadequate. At the same time, it may cause changes in body composition, which may increase fat tissue, decrease muscle mass, and negatively affect bone development. In adults, growth hormone deficiency can manifest with symptoms such as decreased energy levels, increased weight gain, and decreased muscle mass. At the same time, the tendency to store fat may increase due to disorders in metabolism regulation. This condition can affect quality of life and, in severe cases, lead to metabolic problems. The effects of growth hormone deficiency can be managed with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Potential consequences of growth hormone deficiency include:

• It can cause bones and tissues to grow slower than normal, preventing the child from reaching his or her target height.
• Low muscle mass and muscle weakness may be observed.
• It can lead to a general feeling of fatigue and low energy levels.
• It can cause weight control problems and fat accumulation.
• Especially in children, conditions such as low self-esteem, social isolation and stress can be observed.
• Bones may weaken and bone health problems such as osteoporosis may occur.
• Problems may occur in organ functions.

Diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency

Diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency is a process that requires comprehensive evaluations. This process is guided by an endocrinologist or pediatrician and is based on the individual’s overall health, medical history, symptoms, and laboratory test results. First, the individual’s general health status and growth development are carefully evaluated. One of the most common methods used to diagnose growth hormone deficiency is tests that measure growth hormone levels in the blood. The first of the tests usually involves blood samples taken in the early hours of the night to assess growth hormone released during sleep. Stimulated growth hormone testing aims to stimulate the release of growth hormone using substances such as insulin or arginine, and deficiency is then assessed by measuring growth hormone levels in the blood. In addition, tests such as IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 are other evaluation methods that reflect growth hormone activity. When necessary, imaging tests can help identify a structural problem in the hypothalamus or pituitary glands.

Growth Hormone Deficiency Treatment

Treatment for growth hormone deficiency is the use of synthetic growth hormone injections. These injections mimic the natural growth hormone and compensate for the deficiency in the body. The course of treatment involves regular injections determined by the doctor and personalized according to the individual’s age, health status and severity of deficiency. When treatment begins, doctors determine the correct dose for the individual’s needs and doses are reviewed at regular intervals. During this process, laboratory tests are performed at regular intervals to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and detect any side effects early. Treatment for growth hormone deficiency is usually a long-term process. Therefore, the person’s growth and development are monitored regularly. If there are other hormone deficiencies during treatment, these are also treated appropriately. Treatment is often more effective in children because the bone growth plates are still open. Support and follow-up are important to ensure long-term success.

Growth hormone deficiency is a condition that can be managed with early diagnosis and effective treatment. Therefore, it is important to consult a qualified healthcare professional when symptoms are noticed, especially in children.