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

Growth hormone is a hormone that plays a significant role in the development and growth of the body. Secreted by the pituitary gland, this hormone supports the growth of bones during childhood, increases muscle mass, and promotes overall body development. Therefore, a deficiency in growth hormone can affect these important processes. This deficiency can lead to short stature in children and a decrease in energy levels and muscle mass in adults.

What is Growth Hormone?

Growth hormone is an endocrine gland hormone that has various important functions in the body. Its primary role is to support growth and cell proliferation. It also regulates metabolism by increasing protein synthesis and affects body composition. Growth hormone particularly promotes the growth of bones and cartilage in children. Therefore, adequate secretion of growth hormone during childhood and adolescence is critical for normal growth and development. In adults, growth hormone regulates fat metabolism, maintains muscle mass, and affects energy balance. Additionally, growth hormone stimulates the secretion of another hormone called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 enhances the effects of growth hormone, contributing to bone and tissue growth. However, there can sometimes be inadequate secretion of growth hormone in the body. This condition is known as growth hormone deficiency. Growth hormone deficiency is a condition that affects the body’s normal growth and development processes. This condition usually manifests during childhood and can develop due to genetic factors or other reasons, leading to the body’s inability to produce sufficient growth hormone and, consequently, to the inability to achieve normal growth rates.

What are the Symptoms of Growth Hormone Deficiency?

Growth hormone deficiency refers to the condition where the body cannot produce sufficient growth hormone and can manifest with various symptoms. These symptoms are typically noticeable during childhood but can sometimes appear in adulthood. Symptoms of growth hormone deficiency include:

• Short Stature: Children with growth hormone deficiency may be shorter than their peers for their age. This condition arises from the inability of the body to increase bone length.
• Low Weight: Growth hormone deficiency can affect the regulation of muscle mass and body fat. As a result, individuals with growth hormone deficiency may have low body weight.
• Low Energy Levels: Growth hormone deficiency can negatively impact energy levels, leading to a general sense of fatigue and energy deficiency in individuals.
• Slow Bone Development: The deficiency of growth hormone can affect the proliferation of bone cells and the development of bone tissue, resulting in slow bone growth.
• Low Fat Tissue: Growth hormone deficiency can complicate the regulation of body fat tissue, leading 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, including genetic factors, damage to the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, tumors, medication use, and radiation therapy. The key factors that play a role in the emergence of this complex condition include:

• Genetic Factors: Individuals with a family history of growth hormone deficiency may have a genetic predisposition. This can arise from the presence of a genetic disorder in the production or function of growth hormone.
• Damage to the Hypothalamus or Pituitary: The hypothalamus and pituitary glands are important regions responsible for regulating growth hormone. Damage to these areas can lead to growth hormone deficiency. Complications during birth, head injuries, or tumors can particularly affect the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, triggering this condition.
• Tumors and Masses: Tumors or masses developing in various parts of the body can lead to growth hormone deficiency. These tumors can obstruct normal hormone production, especially when they press on the pituitary gland.
• Inflammatory Diseases: Some inflammatory diseases can negatively impact growth hormone production. Autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, can cause growth hormone deficiency.
• Medication Use: Some medications may cause growth hormone deficiency with long-term use. Corticosteroids are among the drugs that can lead to this condition.
• Radiation Therapy: When radiation therapy is applied to the head or neck area, it can damage the pituitary gland, leading to growth hormone deficiency.

What Are the Consequences of Growth Hormone Deficiency?

Growth hormone deficiency can affect many systems in the body. This condition typically begins in childhood and negatively impacts the body’s normal growth and development. In children, growth hormone deficiency typically leads to short stature and growth retardation. These children may be shorter compared to their peers, and their growth rates may be insufficient. Additionally, it can cause changes in body composition, leading to increased fat tissue, decreased muscle mass, and adversely affecting bone development. In adults, growth hormone deficiency may present with symptoms such as reduced energy levels, increased weight gain, and decreased muscle mass. Moreover, due to disturbances in metabolic regulation, there may be an increased tendency to store fat. This condition can affect quality of life and, in severe cases, lead to metabolic issues. The effects of growth hormone deficiency can be managed with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The potential consequences of growth hormone deficiency include:

• Slower-than-normal growth of bones and tissues, preventing the child from reaching their target height.
• Observations of low muscle mass and muscle weakness.
• General feelings of fatigue and low energy levels.
• Weight control issues and fat accumulation.
• Particularly in children, low self-esteem, social isolation, and stress may be observed.
• Weakening of bones, leading to bone health issues like osteoporosis.
• Potential problems with organ function.

Diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency

Diagnosing 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 status, medical history, symptoms, and laboratory test results. First, the individual's general health and growth development are carefully assessed. One of the most common methods used in diagnosing growth hormone deficiency is blood tests that measure growth hormone levels. The first of these tests usually involves blood samples taken early in the morning to assess the growth hormone released during nighttime sleep. The stimulated growth hormone test aims to stimulate the release of growth hormone using substances like insulin or arginine, followed by measuring the growth hormone levels in the blood to assess deficiency. Additionally, tests such as IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 are other evaluation methods reflecting growth hormone activity. Imaging tests may be performed, if necessary, to help identify any structural problems in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.

Treatment of Growth Hormone Deficiency

The treatment for growth hormone deficiency involves the use of synthetic growth hormone injections. These injections mimic natural growth hormone to compensate for the deficiency in the body. The treatment process includes regular injections that are determined by a doctor and personalized according to the individual's age, health status, and the severity of the deficiency. When treatment begins, doctors determine the correct dosage suitable for the individual’s needs, and the dosages are reviewed at regular intervals. During this process, laboratory tests are performed at regular intervals to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and to detect any side effects early. Treatment for growth hormone deficiency is generally a long-term process. Therefore, the individual's growth and development are monitored regularly. If there are other hormone deficiencies during treatment, these are also treated appropriately. In children, treatment is often more effective since the growth plates in their bones are still open. Support and follow-up are crucial for 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 healthcare professional when symptoms are noticed, especially in children.