Growth hormone deficiency, commonly referred as GHD, occurs when growth hormone levels are inadequate.
Growth hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland. GHD is classified into three types: congenital, acquired or idiopathic.
Treatment varies with the type of GHD. Hormone replacement medications are the common treatment options.
Types
Congenital
This is growth hormone deficiency that exist from birth due to structural defects or genetic mutations in the brain
Acquired
Acquired GHD occurs due to infection, trauma, radiation therapy, or brain tumors.
Idiopathic
If GHD is present with unknown reason, it is called idiopathic.
Symptoms
All three types of GHD can be seen in childhood. Children with GHD have retarded growth, delayed secondary growth and short stature.
Lengthening of the bones be delayed, which results in improper growth of the child as per their chronological age.
Adult GHD is a result of tumors in the pituitary gland or trauma to the brain. Idiopathic GHD is also seen in adults.
The symptoms of adult-onset GHD are listed below:
These symptoms vary from one individual to another.
Diagnosis
Your physician will ask for various tests to review the hormone levels in your body.
He or she will also check for hypopituitarism if you underwent radiation treatment or had a head injury.
Blood tests
These tests will help your doctor find whether your adrenal, thyroid or sex hormones are in low levels.
Stimulation or dynamic testing
These specialized endocrine tests help assess hormone production in your body. You have to take some medications that trigger hormone production to find how your body responds and produces hormones.
Brain imaging
Any abnormality or tumor in your pituitary gland can be detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Vision tests
To find out whether a tumor in the pituitary gland has affected your visual fields or eyesight, your doctor will ask for vision tests.
Treatment
Growth hormone replacement therapy can be helpful for both children and adults. This therapy promotes the normal growth of children, while adults can’t grow taller.
In case of pituitary tumors, treatment will involve surgery or radiation therapy to remove the tumors.
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