Growth hormone deficiency pathophysiology
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Differentiating Growth hormone deficiency from other Diseases |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pathophysiology
- Though growth ends with sexual maturity, GH continues to be secreted throughout life.
- In adults, GH contributes to maintenance of muscle and bone mass and strength as well as quality and productivity in life. *Understanding of the effects and benefits of GH in adults increased in the 1980's and the features of adult GH deficiency have not only been published, but can be said to have gained some notoriety.
- As an adult ages, diminishing amounts of GH are produced by the pituitary. This is characteristic of other hormones (especially the sex steroids) as well, and most physicians distinguish between the "naturally" reduced (age-related slowing) secretion of aging and the lower levels of real deficiency.
- In adults, the body composition has higher amount of body fat