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LEGAL DISCLAIMER
A growth hormone treatment plan may be recommended if a child or adult is diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. The first step will be to determine whether a deficiency exists, and then what has caused it.
In some cases the cause may be undetermined. The process from diagnosis to treatment plan options can take some time, depending on individual case scenarios. Understanding those options when it comes to growth hormone treatment is important for any child, parent, or adult who is recommended for therapy. Click here to buy HGH online now.
Table of Contents
Growth Hormone Treatment For Teenagers
Before a doctor can recommend a growth hormone treatment plan, a diagnosis following tests is usually obtained. If possible, the doctor will also try to determine what has caused the deficiency. Most childhood deficiencies are caused by genetic or hereditary conditions. These conditions may include:
- Turner syndrome
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Noonan syndrome
- Malformation of the pituitary gland
- Short for gestational age (SGA)
- Idiopathic short stature (ISS) – idiopathic defines unknown cause
Growth Hormone Treatment Adults
Adult deficiencies are often caused by trauma or injury to the brain, a tumor on the pituitary or hypothalamus gland, or a disease process that affects the endocrine system. Treatment options will depend on the cause.
Growth hormone deficiency treatment for an adult requires a number of tests to diagnose the low levels including:
- 24 hour serum GH profile
- Stimulated GH levels
- Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1 levels)
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However, even when taking such tests, age, weight, and other factors may contribute to erratic before and after results; all of which must be taken into consideration before an accurate diagnosis can be made.
However, it should also be noted that serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3) concentrations may not be an effective test in predicting or diagnosing a growth hormone deficiency in a child diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Different circumstances and situations in regard to medical status can have a huge impact on determining a growth hormone deficiency diagnosis. Diagnosing deficiencies in children can be complicated especially because children’s bodies vary widely in regard to status in puberty stages, body composition, and other variables. Find out more here.
Following Diagnosis
Growth hormone treatment options will depend on the final diagnosis.
An initial plan of treatment may be recommended, and while it is suggested that individuals be compliant with doctor’s recommendations, it’s also important to ask about other possibilities. For example, a mild deficiency may not require drugs, but simply a change in dietary nutrition and exercise.
Nutrients are vital in providing the pituitary gland, which manufactures and secretes growth hormone, with the support it needs to function properly.
In some cases, changes in diet, exercise, and supplementation with dietary, over-the-counter supplements may help boost pituitary and endocrine gland function enough to raise growth hormone levels. Of course, in the case where the pituitary gland is malfunctioning or does not produce adequate levels on its own, growth hormone injections may be recommended.
Note – Parents are cautioned against self-diagnosing and/or using any form or supplement containing growth hormone on their children without knowledge of their pediatrician.
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Injections are among the most common of growth hormone treatment approaches for children or adults diagnosed with a deficiency. Injections consist of synthetically created growth hormone that is identical in chemical and molecular structure to that which is manufactured in the body.
Dosage recommendations and frequency of injections will be determined by your doctor or pediatrician. Be aware that it may take some time to determine the exact amount that will provide optimal benefits and still produce the least side effects. There is not a lot of research yet on using growth hormones for weight loss, especially for women.
When considering any growth hormone treatment plan, it’s important to ask about potential side effects. Always weigh potential side effects or adverse reactions against the benefits to be gained from the injections.
Common Growth Hormone Treatment Side Effects
Any drug has the potential to cause side effects. Not everyone experiences side effects while on growth hormone therapy. For some, minor side effects dissipate as the treatment plan proceeds. Some of the most common complaints in regard to the drug include:
- Localized injection site reaction (pain, redness, swelling)
- Stiff joints (this is more common in adults than children)
- Potential for increased cholesterol levels
- Possibility for decreased thyroid hormone production
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Nerve pain
Talk to the doctor about side effects depending on age and dosage recommendations. Be aware that a child may need to undergo growth hormone treatment until he or she finishes growing. Adults diagnosed with a deficiency may need to take the injections for the rest of their lives. Every situation is different.
Talk to the doctor about your expectations in regard to growth hormone treatment cost and benefits. Discuss costs (with insurance, injections may still cost approximately $500 every month, and without, average about $1,500), benefits, and side effects when considering using brand name or generic solutions.
References
- Bidlingmaier M, Wu Z, Strasburger CJ. Problems with GH doping in sports. J Endocrinol Invest. 2003 Sep;26(9):924-31.
- Gibney J, Healy ML, Sönksen PH. The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I axis in exercise and sport. Endocr Rev. 2007 Oct;28(6):603-24. Review.
- Niess AM, Feherenbach E, Roecker K, Lehmann R, Opavsky L, Dickhuth HH. Individual differences in self-reported heat tolerance. Is there a link to the cardiocirculatory, thermoregulatory and hormonal response to endurance exercise in heat? J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2003 Sep;43(3):386-92.
- Adiyaman P, Ocal G, Berbero?lu M, Evliyao?lu O, Aycan Z, Cetinkaya E, Bulca Y, Ersöz G, Akar N. Alterations in serum growth hormone (GH)/GH dependent ternary complex components (IGF-I, IGFBP-3, ALS, IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio) and the influence of these alterations on growth pattern in female rhythmic gymnasts. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Jun;17(6):895-903.
- Lemon PW, Berardi JM, Noreen EE. The role of protein and amino acid supplements in the athlete’s diet: does type or timing of ingestion matter? Curr Sports Med Rep. 2002 Aug;1(4):214-21. Review.
- Alvarez-Castro P, Isidro ML, Garcia-Buela J, Leal-Cerro A, Broglio F, Tassone F, Ghigo E, Dieguez C, Casanueva FF, Cordido F. Marked GH secretion after ghrelin alone or combined with GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) in obese patients. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2004 Aug;61(2):250-5.
- Loche S, Salerno M, Garofalo P, Cardinale GM, Licenziati MR, Citro G, Caruso Nicoletti M, Cappa M, Longobardi S, Maghnie M, Perrone R. Adherence in children with growth hormone deficiency treated with r-hGH and the easypod™ device. J Endocrinol Invest. 2016 Dec;39(12):1419-1424.
- Blizzard RM. History of growth hormone therapy. Indian J Pediatr. 2012 Jan;79(1):87-91. doi: 10.1007/s12098-011-0609-4. Review.
- Strasburger CJ, Wu Z, Bidlingmaier M. hGH-abuse in athletes. Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2007 Sep;68(4):306-7. No abstract available.
- Dean H. Does exogenous growth hormone improve athletic performance? Clin J Sport Med. 2002 Jul;12(4):250-3.
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