Growth hormone deficiency

Growth hormone deficiency is insufficient secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland. It can slow growth in children and alter body composition, bone health, and metabolism in adults.

Growth hormone: A pituitary hormone that promotes growth and influences metabolism, partly through insulin-like growth factor 1. Its reduced secretion is the defining defect in this condition.
Childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency: Growth hormone deficiency that begins during childhood and may impair linear growth. Slow height gain is often the most visible consequence before puberty.
Pituitary gland: An endocrine gland at the base of the brain that releases hormones under hypothalamic control. The anterior pituitary is the usual source of deficient growth hormone.
Pulsatile hormone secretion: Hormone release in intermittent bursts rather than at a constant rate. Growth hormone pulses make a random blood level unreliable for ruling deficiency in or out.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone: A hypothalamic hormone that stimulates growth hormone release from the pituitary gland. Deficient hypothalamic stimulation can contribute to impaired pituitary secretion.
Adult-onset growth hormone deficiency: Growth hormone deficiency that develops after growth is complete, often from pituitary or hypothalamic disease. In adults, altered body composition and reduced physical well-being replace poor height growth as concerns.
Hypothalamus: A brain region that regulates endocrine function through signals to the pituitary gland. Its signals help govern growth hormone release and can be disrupted by disease.
Growth hormone deficiency diagnosis: Clinical assessment combining growth patterns or symptoms with laboratory testing and relevant medical history. No single finding establishes deficiency in every age group or clinical situation.
Insulin-like growth factor 1: A hormone produced mainly by the liver in response to growth hormone, mediating many growth effects. Low levels can reflect inadequate growth hormone action and support evaluation.
Pituitary tumor: An abnormal growth in the pituitary gland that may disrupt hormone production or compress nearby structures. Tumors and their treatment are frequent causes of acquired deficiency.

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