Growth hormone deficiency (patient information)
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What is growth hormone deficiency?
How do I know if I have growth hormone deficiency and what are the symptoms of growth hormone deficiency?
In the past, people thought growth hormone deficiency may affect only in children. Until recently, few people realized the importance of growth hormone to an adult body.
- Growth hormone deficiency in children
- Many children with growth hormone deficiency grow normally until the age of two or three and then begin to show signs of delayed growth about 2 inches a year.
- They may have low weight than their peers, although some on the higher percentile in weight.
- These children have normal body proportions and look younger than their peers.
- Growth hormone deficiency in adults
- More fat: With this deficiency, fat is deposited more easily around the middle of the abdomen.
- Less muscle: Since growth hormone affects muscles, patients with growth hormone deficiency may feel less muscle and less ability to exercise.
- Less bone structure: Patients with growth hormone deficiency may occur weakening osteoporosis.
- Less mental functions and social activities: Most growth hormone deficiency adults notice a decrease in their energy level and endurance for exercise. They may avoid social contact, even avoid meeting with or talking to their friends. Some patients may have deficient interest in sexual activity. Some may show the sign of hypomnesia.
Who is at risk for growth hormone deficiency?
- Mutations of specific genes
- Congenital dysfunction of hypothalamus, pituitary
- Any damage to pituitary, such as tumor, surgery or radiation therapy for brain tumor,
- Head injury or trauma
- Ischemic or hemorrhagic infarction from low blood pressure (Sheehan syndrome), or hemorrhage pituitary apoplexy.
How to know you have growth hormone deficiency?
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for growth hormone deficiency?
Directions to Hospitals Treating growth hormone deficiency
Prevention of growth hormone deficiency
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001176.htm
http://www.magicfoundation.org/www/docs/105
http://www.magicfoundation.org/www/docs/108/growth_hormone_deficiency_in_children.html
http://www.hormone.org/Resources/Patient_Guides/upload/GH_for_Adults_Patient_Guide.pdf