Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency Overview
Growth hormone deficiency happens when a person's body does not make enough growth hormone. A child with growth hormone deficiency may not grow to his or her full height.
Adults need growth hormone, also. As an adult with growth hormone deficiency, you may have changes in your body. You may have more fat, less muscle, and less bone structure. This is because it is the job of growth hormone to balance your body's amounts of fat, muscle, and bone.
Growth hormone also helps to balance cholesterol levels in your body. You have two types of cholesterol–one good and one bad. If there is too much bad cholesterol and not enough good cholesterol, you are at higher risk for heart disease.
You may also have noticed feeling sad or worried. This may happen because growth hormone controls areas of the brain which adjust your mood.
In some adults, growth hormone deficiency happens because of harm to their pituitary gland. The pituitary is the gland in your brain that releases growth hormone. Other adults have had the deficiency since they were children. In some children, growth hormone deficiency happens because of a mutation, or change, in one of their genes. In other children, growth hormone deficiency happens because of tumors, radiation treatment for cancer, severe head trauma, infection or surgical removal of the pituitary gland. In most children, the reason is not known.
In growth hormone deficient adults, growth hormone (somatropin) replacement therapy is the treatment of choice. There are several different brands of growth hormone which are made to be and act just like an adult's growth hormone that is produced in their body.
Living with Growth Hormone Deficiency
It may take a few months to see results from your medicine. Talk with your doctor about what results you should expect and when.
Because Growth Hormone is a "man-made" protein, side effects don't happen often. However, you should know about the side effects you could have. The most common ones are swelling of the hands and feet, joint pain, muscle pain, hand joint problems, and headache. Be sure to tell your doctor if any of these occur. Some of the effects may go away after the body is used to the medicine and all of the side effects will go away if the growth hormone is stopped.
Growth hormone is given by an injection, or shot, because it won't work if taken by mouth. If you take this medicine at home, it is important to use it the right way. Follow these tips:
- Make sure to store the medicine correctly, as told. Keep it from heat and light. Medication not stored correctly or used after it is outdated may not work as well as it should.
- Make sure that you know how to prepare the medicine and give the shots correctly.
- Follow directions about changing the places on the body where you give shots.
- Follow the directions you've been given about what to do with used needles.
- Read any patient information and directions you receive each time your prescription is filled.
- Take the amount of medication that your doctor or the label directs you to. Not all people will need the same amount. Do not change your dose unless told.
Knowing about your medicine will help you get good results. To learn more about growth hormone deficiency, please visit: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001176.htm
Healthy Pointers:
- Make sure to eat a well-balanced diet and get plenty of exercise.
- Limit alcohol use and do not smoke.
- For best results from your medicine, use it as directed. Be careful not to miss doses.
- Make sure that your doctor knows about any other health problems you have. You should also tell your doctor about any other medicines you take.
- Visit the doctor regularly so he or she can keep track of how you are doing.
Questions? Call us at 1.888.282.5166 or email us.
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