What is Low Growth Hormone (GH), and Why Does It Matter?
This vital hormone, produced in the pea-sized pituitary gland located at the base of the brain, drives growth and cell reproduction in humans. When levels run too low, especially during the critical growing years in childhood and adolescence, you may end up battling lifelong health struggles as a result.
Definition Doctors diagnose growth hormone deficiency (GHD) when blood tests confirm abnormally low GH levels that cannot reach the minimum threshold. Most endocrinologists set this bar at less than 5 ng/mL for children or less than 1 ng/mL for adults.
Causes - Genetic defects disrupting pituitary development - Head trauma - Brain surgery - Radiation treatment - Pituitary tumors
Of course, genetics serve as the root cause for most kids battling growth failure. These inherited defects prevent the pea-sized pituitary gland from producing sufficient growth hormone to spur normal development.
Effects
When growth hormone runs too low, a child may experience:
The most obvious red flag involves substantially shorter height than same-age peers. Yet poor GH also allows body fat to accumulate while depleting muscular fitness over time. This imbalance predisposes people to insulin resistance, diabetes, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and cardiovascular issues.
Later in life, recalcitrant GHD can even accelerate manifestations of biological aging like wrinkling skin, flagging energy levels, diminished sex drive, unstable moods, and cognitive decline. Talk about a lot riding on one tiny gland!
Getting Help
Thankfully, doctors can run blood tests to diagnose growth hormone deficiency. For children requiring treatment, they often prescribe synthetic human GH injections to restore normal levels. Maintaining diligent treatment adherence allows kids to achieve full adult stature and avoid lifelong health impairments. Never hesitate to seek help from Balance Hormones Clinic!