Growth hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, is essential for growth and cell reproduction in humans. Low growth hormone, also called growth hormone deficiency (GHD), means your body does not make enough of this important hormone.
Causes
Low levels of growth hormone can happen for a few reasons:
Symptoms
People with GHD may exhibit:
Diagnosis
If GHD is suspected, an endocrinologist will run blood tests to measure IGF-1 and growth hormone levels directly. They may also order MRI scans to visualize the pituitary gland structure.
Stimulation tests can also help diagnose GHD - these stimulate the pituitary to release hormones, allowing the doctor to see if normal amounts are produced.
Treatment
For more information, please visit Vitality Clinic.