Adults need growth hormone too!
Growth hormone (GH) is a protein hormone made by the pituitary, a hormone producing gland located at the base of the skull. The pituitary gland not only produces GH, but releases (secretes) GH into the bloodstream. After entering the bloodstream, GH attaches to certain tissues, especially bones, and results in height increase in children. Damage to the pituitary gland in children results in low GH secretion in children, resulting in poor growth and resultant short stature. GH can be given to children to restore their normal growth and development. Over the last ten years, it has been discovered that adults need GH too. Like children, adults can be given this hormone if deficient. The approval by the FDA to give GH to deficient adults has been in place for the last two years. Since adults have already achieved their genetically determined height, loss of GH does not impact height, but it does affect the body in many other ways. If adults have a deficiency of GH, major changes to the composition of the body results. These changes include loss of muscle, accumulation of fat, especially in the abdomen, and a decrease in the density (but not the length) of bones. Because GH is also necessary for normal brain function, adults without this hormone have psychological changes in addition. This article will focus on describing the GH deficiency syndrome as it applies to adults, and how it is currently diagnosed and treated.
