Growth hormone deficiency

Growth hormone deficiency is often caused by a disorder in the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland and produces a number of negative consequences for both children and adults, including delayed growth and metabolic disorders, etc. Learn more about the condition, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available.

 
Treatment options for growth hormone deficiency include hormone replacement therapy (with synthetic growth hormone similar to natural hormones) prescribed by a specialist, when not counter-indicated. This recombinant growth hormone is administered in daily subcutaneous injections at night before going to bed. Injections can be self-administered or given by a family member or a nurse using an injection pen similar to what diabetics use for their insulin injections.

The duration of treatment will vary for each patient, but also depends on the age the growth hormone deficiency was acquired:

  • Growth hormone deficiency acquired in infancy must be closely monitored by the patient’s physician (to monitor weight, height and treatment tolerance). Treatment may be discontinued in adulthood.
  • Growth hormone deficiency acquired in adulthood usually requires treatment for life, although the endocrinologist may well decide to stop treatment in old age.

One in 4,000 to 10,000

affected by the condition

Diagnosis

Usually late

Last update 13/04/2017