What is the growth hormone?

The growth hormone (also known as HGH – human growth hormone – and somatropin) is a protein produced by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain, and is part of a series of glands that make up the endocrine system, which also produces other important hormones for the body.

The main functions of growth hormone (GH) are to stimulate growth and cell reproduction and regeneration in humans and other animals.

Specialists in endocrinology and child endocrinology treat conditions that derive from growth hormone abnormalities.

What conditions and diseases are treated with growth hormone?

There are four main diseases that are treated with growth hormone. These are as follows:

1. Chronic kidney disease
2. Turner syndrome
3. Noonan syndrome
4. Short bowel syndrome

What are the main functions of the human growth hormone?

The main functions it performs are to:

• increase height and muscle mass
• control the body's metabolism
• reduce body mass

Growth hormone isn’t limited to a person’s developmental stage during their childhood and teenage years: it is produced throughout a person’s life. Some people are deficient in growth hormone and this can lead to various health problems. Similarly, having an excess amount of growth hormone can also cause problems.

This hormone affects and influences the process of glucose inhibition - it is a stimulant for producing proteins, and is responsible for breaking down fatty acids in the body. For example, when a person hasn’t eaten for a period, growth hormone maintains blood glucose levels and moves the reserved fat to have an alternate energy source for the body.

What are the most common conditions related to growth hormone issues?

The main conditions related to growth hormone issues include the following:

• Growth hormone deficiency: In children, it can cause slow growth and cause weight problems or sexual maturity. Children with a growth hormone deficiency are of normal weight and height at birth. Slow growth can be seen for the first time during  breastfeeding and continue through childhood. In adults, it can cause tiredness, intolerance to glucose or muscle weakness, as well as alterations in metabolism.
• Gigantism: When this adrenal disease occurs while the child is still growing (before the growth plates are closed) it is called gigantism, with the most common cause being a benign tumour in the pituitary. If the disorder affects adults, it is called acromegaly. Children who suffer from this disease are often extremely large for their age. Some of the symptoms may include delayed puberty, front and mandibular prominence, large hands and feet with thick fingers, weakness, shortness of side vision, etc.
• Acromegaly: This is a hormonal disorder that occurs when too much growth hormone is produced during adulthood. This causes an increase in the size of the bones, hands, feet and face.

How are growth-hormone-related conditions treated?

Treatment for growth hormone deficiency is based on replacement therapy with growth hormones. Children may be given growth hormone injections on a daily basis, which can be done at home. This treatment is usually long-term and lasts for several years with check-ups from the paediatrician. Treatment can cause side effects such as headaches, fluid retention, muscle and joint pain, or slipping of the hip bones.

In the cases of acromegaly and gigantism, surgery may be the solution as the pituitary tumour causing the disease can often be corrected. In other cases, the tumour is too large to completely remove and radiotherapy can be used to shrink the tumour. Medications can help block or reduce growth hormone secretion.

What causes growth hormone deficiency?

Growth hormone deficiency, can, in some cases, be present at birth. If not present at birth, though, the main cause is most likely to be a brain tumour. Other common causes of growth hormone deficiency in both children and adults include severe head injuries and trauma, radiation treatment, and infection. 

Can taking human growth hormone injections help slow ageing?

It has been proven that human growth hormone injections do not slow down the inevitable ageing process. Experts do not recommend the use of human growth hormone injections as a potential treatment option for anti-ageing, as there is a risk that people who do so will suffer from other medical conditions as a result. 

What are the main risks associated with human growth hormone treatment?

There are, unfortunately, quite a few risks associated with human growth hormone treatment. They include: 

• carpal tunnel syndrome
• type 2 diabetes
• leg and arm swelling
• gynaecomastia
• increased risk for certain cancers

When is human growth hormone treatment recommended?

It is recommended as a treatment option for conditions that cause irregular distribution of body fat, such as AIDS, HIV, and growth hormone deficiency.