Growth hormone deficiency in children

Growth hormone deficiency means the pituitary gland does not make enough growth hormone.


The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. This gland controls the body’s balance of hormones. It also makes growth hormone. This hormone causes a child to grow.
Growth hormone deficiency may be present at birth (congenital). Or it may be the result of medical condition. Severe brain injury may also cause growth hormone deficiency.
Children with physical defects of the face and skull, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, may have decreased growth hormone levels.
Most of the time, the cause of growth hormone deficiency is unknown.

Symptoms
Slow growth may first be noticed in infancy and continue through childhood. The pediatrician will usually draw the child's growth curve on a growth chart. Children with growth hormone deficiency have a slow or flat rate of growth. The slow growth may not show up until a child is 2 or 3 years old.
The child will be much shorter than most children of the same age and gender. The child will still have normal body proportions though body build may be chubby. Often the child’s face looks younger than children of the same age. The child will usually have normal intelligence.
In older children, puberty may come late or may not come at all, depending on the cause.

Exams and Tests
A physical examination, including weight, height, and body proportions, will show signs of slowed growth rate. The child will not follow the normal growth curves.
Hand x-ray can determine bone age. Normally, the size and shape of bones change as a person grows. These changes can be seen on an x-ray and usually follow a pattern as a child grows older.
Testing is usually done after the  pediatrician has looked into other causes of poor growth. Tests that may be done include:
Growth hormone causes the body to make insulin-like growth factor (IGF1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3). Tests can measure these growth factors.Accurate growth hormone deficiency testings involves a stimulation test. This test takes several hours.
MRI of the head can show the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.
Tests to measure other hormone levels may be done because lack of growth hormone may not be the only problem.

Treatment
Treatment involves growth hormone shots (injections) given at home. The shots are usually given once a day. Older children can often learn how to give themselves the shot.
Treatment with growth hormone is long-term, often several years. During this time, the child needs to be seen regularly by the doctor to ensure treatment is working and to change the dosage of the medicine if needed.
Serious side effects of growth hormone treatment are rare. Common side effects include:

    Headache
    Fluid retention
    Muscle and joint aches
    Slippage of the bones at the hip

The earlier the condition is treated, the better the chance that a child will grow to near-normal adult height. Many children gain 4 or more inches over the first year and 3 or more inches during the next 2 years. The rate of growth then slowly decreases.

The Benefits of Human Growth Hormone

Human Growth Hormone, commonly known as HGH is a protein based peptide hormone of incredible anabolic properties and functions found in all human beings and essential for a host of functions within the human body. While HGH therapy has existed for many years safe and effective administration was not available until the mid-1980’s when synthetic versions first hit the shelf; prior to this period the only way one could obtain Human Growth Hormone for therapy was from direct extraction from the pituitary of cadavers; an often dangerous and unsanitary practice. However, by the late 1990’s and early 2000’s HGH in a biosynthetic form was now highly available and since that time it has been one of the most sought after hormones in both hormone replacement therapy and the world of performance enhancement. Commonly referred to as the fountain of youth hormone HGH has been shown to produce enumerable traits in preserving youth and vigor as well as muscular development and improved metabolic efficiency. Even as Human Growth Hormone remains one of the more expensive hormones to purchase, as its benefits are great and its safety record is nearly perfect it remains highly popular despite the price one may pay.

The Benefits of Human Growth Hormone:
To understand the benefits of Human Growth Hormone we can largely see them by simply understanding its basic function(s) as discussed above; however, unfortunately as we age such benefits began to fall short as natural HGH production declines as we age and often at a rapid rate. For this reason more and more people the world over, both men and women have begun supplementing with biosynthetic Human Growth Hormone in an effort to avoid such a crash, as well as many athletes from baseball to football, track & field to bodybuilders and power lifters, gym rats and everything in-between. While therapeutic doses aimed at slowing down the signs of aging are common, as it pertains to the athletic world and performance enhancing doses are commonly much higher as the idea here is not to simply provide adequate levels but to surpass them so that the benefits can become further enhanced.

Through the use of supplemental Human Growth Hormone the individual can expect to reap the rewards of several beneficial applications and they apply universally to all who use it regardless of purpose; however, the rate of acceleration and the total end will largely vary from one to the next based on dosing and the coupling of anabolic androgenic steroids. Anabolic steroid use is very common with HGH use in the athletic world as both act in a means to work together enhancing the effects of each.

Those who administer biosynthetic HGH can largely expect a host of beneficial attributes such as muscle tissue growth, higher metabolic rates, a leaner and tighter physique, increased recovery within the body, increased bone, joint and tendon strength, healthier looking skin, as well as increased energy. While these are largely the physical attributes in their general sense, Human Growth Hormone goes far beyond the direct physical and holds other very important traits as well. Those who supplement with Human Growth Hormone will find they possess a greater clarity of thought and focus as well as enhanced moods overall as HGH can largely stave off such problems as depression. If levels of HGH in the body fall below optimal range each one of the positive benefits just discussed begins to decline as well; this is why as you can see proper levels are very important. In that same light, as levels increase beyond natural production each and every beneficial attribute is enhanced to degrees previously deemed unimaginable.

Real Human Growth Hormone:
As is common in the world of anabolic steroids, as HGH is not an anabolic steroid in any shape or form, like many steroids it is often counterfeited, so much so it is without question the most commonly counterfeited hormone in the performance enhancing world when purchased on the black market. Moreover, in recent years due to HGH popularity increasing many legal peptide fragments have hit the shelves; these fragments are often a partial Human Growth Hormone medication but this is like buying half a sandwich and one that won’t digest properly. While these fragment peptides are generally safe they are also generally worthless. When you are looking to obtain true blue Human Growth Hormone stay away from the generic black market brands and stick with true manufactures of the hormone such as Humatrope, Saizen, Serostim and Nutropin to name a few.

Human Growth Hormone Cycles and Doses:
Because it possesses such a high safety rating Human Growth Hormone can be used indefinitely; there is no max time frame in-which we must hold to. However, as beneficial as the hormone is it will take a long time to see such benefits; a few weeks of HGH therapy is a waste of money and a complete waste of good HGH. To reap a true benefit 16 weeks is generally the minimal amount of time you’ll want to supplement with HGH with 6 months being far more optimal. While this can be expensive consider this; the effects of Human Growth Hormone are largely permanent and that is worth noting.

Depending on your purpose the dose may vary from person to person. Human Growth Hormone is normally dosed in International Units or IU and as such, in therapeutic cases 1iu per day is very common place among both men and women with it occasionally going up to 2iu per day. However, for the performance enhancer, as it pertains to women 2iu per day will often prove to be perfect; while 2iu per day will provide many beneficial effects for men, notably fat-loss, to receive a full anabolic effect 4iu will prove to necessarily be optimal. While 4iu is highly beneficial and generally safe, the individual will not notice much difference in doses that are in the 5-6iu range; it is not until we get into the double digit doses that effects are greatly enhanced beyond the 4iu mark. However, although the side-effects of HGH are rare, when we delve into these very high doses they are almost guaranteed.

What Are The HGH Benefits

HGH Therapy is a controversial subject in the medical community. While some experts consider it to be the secret to a longer, more effective life, others consider it to be a fraud used to separate the unsuspecting from their hard earned money. But what are the facts?

HGH, or Human Growth Hormone, is a chemical found naturally in the human body. This hormone, secreted by the pituitary gland, is most prevalent in our childhood and teenage years, and is responsible for initiating and controlling the growth process.
middle aged couple jogging

As we reach our twenties, however, the levels of HGH in our blood stream drop significantly and continue to decrease with each passing year. While this may not seem to be a problem, since growing is pretty much done, some researches noticed that this decrease in HGH in the blood stream coincided with the onset of many symptoms of aging, including:

    Loss of muscle mass and muscle tone
    Difficulty losing and controlling weight
    Lowered energy levels
    Reduced elasticity in the skin, a contributing factor in the formation of wrinkles
    Loss of sex drive and an increase in related disorders, including erectile dysfunction
    Loss of bone mass and the beginning of age related joint problems
    Decrease in the effectiveness of the immune system

The research determined that HGH levels directly affect the body even after the growth period is complete, and that this loss of HGH may be one of the single largest contributing factors in the aging process. The obvious answer, say the proponents of HGH therapy, is to increase the levels of Human Growth Hormone to where they were when we were teenagers.

    While taking doses of synthetic HGH are increasing in popularity, there are some issues with this option:
    Synthetic HGH can only be taken by injection
    It requires a prescription
    It is very expensive

Most people who are interested in HGH therapy, however, are looking into the HGH Supplements or releasers.

These formulations stimulate the pituitary gland and encourage it to produce more HGH. This is a natural solution to the problem of lowered HGH levels.
What can you expect with HGH supplements:

    While the FDA has not approved HGH supplements as an anti aging therapy, clinical studies and consumer reviews of the available products have shown positive results. Users of a good HGH supplement can expect:
    Increased sex drive accompanied by a noticeable improvement in sexual performance
    Increased energy levels and less problems with fatigue and listlessness
    Improvements in memory, vision, hearing and other related areas
    Better muscle tone, reduced wrinkles, and improvements in the appearance of the hair and skin
    Better sleep patterns resulting in a more restful and restorative night
    Less problems with mood swings and depression
    Easier time controlling your weight
    A better and more effective immune system
    Relief of many system issues, including enlarged organs
    Improvement in the Cardio/Pulmonary system
    Reduction in joint and muscle pain related to aging

How Long Does It Take To See Results From HGH?

    While Human Growth Hormone injection therapy can produce results very quickly, HGH supplements take time to produce a lasting and significant effect on your body chemistry. While most users see some benefits within the first few weeks, it can take up to six months for the full effect to be realized. While results will vary based on age, general health, and the precise formulation, the typical HGH supplement user can expect the following results:
    During the first month, you should feel an increase in energy levels as well as a more positive outlook on life. You will tend to sleep better and be better able to participate more effectively in normal activities.
    In the second month, the regenerative effects of higher HGH levels will begin to be seen. Your skin, hair and nails will improve. You will see better muscle tone. Losing weight will also become easier, and you should see a notable improvement in your sexual performance.
    In months three through five, you should see significant improvement in these same areas. For those trying to improve their body strength, the increase in lean muscle mass will be noticeable. Your libido will be returning to where it was in your teenage years and early twenties.
    You will also notice improvements in memory and the ability to concentrate.
    By the end of month six, you should have made great strides towards your ideal weight, your muscle tone will be much improved, and your energy levels will be at the highest they have been in years. You will also begin to see less obvious improvements in the area of your immune and, cardiopulmonary systems.
    Many will see a drop in cholesterol levels, the loss of cellulite, and in some cases the re growth of lost hair.

In recent years medical science has made tremendous advances in their ability to extend our lives. Organ replacement, surgical procedures, new medicines and diagnostic techniques have allowed doctors to treat what once was untreatable and cure that which doomed our parents and grandparents to an early grave. For many, Human Growth Hormone supplements have restored quality of life to these precious extra years.

The Use of Human Growth Hormone in the treatment of HIV / AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The HIV retrovirus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, vaginal secretions or other bodily fluids come in contact with an uninfected person's broken skin or mucous membranes. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection and are fit and well. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

Growth hormone is a popular bodybuilding and performance enhancing aid, and the use of recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH, or simply GH) to treat various conditions in HIV infection has been debated with excitement for years. Indeed it is licensed for the treatment of wasting syndrome in advanced stages of AIDS. GH is also a commonly used bodybuilding and performance enhancing drug, which can be purchased on the black market; used to help both muscle anabolism / strength and reduction in body fat levels. Both of these applications have possible significance in the treatment of HIV.

Other than in the treatment of wasting disease, results from the studies using rHGH to treat body changes associated with HIV and/or drugs used to treat HIV have been very favourable. One which has been studied extensively is the use of rHGH in reducing HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS). However, the positive effects of HGH treatment in HIV may be more direct. Several studies have proposed that rHGH may bolster the immune system in ways that might improve clinical outcomes in HIV.

Let's look at each of the possible treatment benefits of rHGH in HIV in turn:

HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS)
HARS is a type of lipodystrophy (abnormal distribution of body fat), where there is accumulation of excess truncal fat and visceral adipose tissue, as opposed to regular gynoid (glutes and hips) or android (abdomen) deposition. This is observed in HIV infected people, moreso as virus load increases. Although not a debilitating condition in itself (indeed extra body fat can prolong life if followed by wasting), HARS is unpleasant for the individual, giving reduced confidence in body image; another negative aspect of the disease.

rHGH therapy has been shown to significantly reduce HARS, leading to an improved body image, and significant improvement in psychological well-being. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of this, leading to rHGH being licesenced for the treatment of HARS in some countries. It should also be noted that improvement in psychological well-being could also contribute to a positive clinical outcome, in that it reduces the effects of wasting.

Acute Infections
HIV patients are often more prone to acute infections which may take longer to clear up than in non-HIV individuals. Sometimes these can be associated with poor appetite and weight loss. rHGH therapy may curb rapid weight loss often associated with acute infections in HIV positive people and may also reduce length of infection. Far more research is needed here though.

Fasting lipid profile
HIV patients have been shown to have elevated serum lipids, and dyslipidaemia, i.e. high LDL (bad) cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol with raised total cholesterol and triglycerides. This is associated with anti-HIV drug treatment especially later on in infection. This does increase risk of cardiovascular diseases, and rHGH treatment may improve lipid profiles.

Bone Building
HIV patients may have loss of bone density associated with wasting. Both treatment with rHGH and growth hormone releasing factor (GHRF) have indicated improved bone mass in HIV patients (Koutkia et al 2005).

Side effects of rHGH treatment
Although we have focused on the promising benefits for rHGH treatment in HIV infection, consideration of possible side effects is important in ensuring an informed decision can be made. Side effects of rHGH therapy include possible joint pain (arthralgia), abnormal growth of the body's extremities and impaired glucose intolerance, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Caution is also advised against using over-the-counter or faddy internet products that claim to contain human growth hormone. Some of them claim to contain plant-derived growth hormone, others claim to contain cow or goat growth hormone, and still others claim to contain substances that increase the body's production of GH. There is no evidence that any of these products contain either a relevant product or a dose needed to induce the types of effects seen in studies. Over-the-counter and internet sales of these 'growth hormone' products are a major source of health fraud.

Certainly rHGH has shown benefits in treating wasting syndrome in advanced stages of HIV disease or AIDS, and its approval as a treatment for body lipodystrophy is encouraging. However, it's important that larger studies confirm these early findings. They can tell us whether or not increases in thymus size and CD4+ cell numbers, associated with rHGH use, ultimately benefit people living with HIV and result in better quality of life and longer life. Treatment with GH in HIV is encouraging and exciting, but far more research is still required.

The Use of Human Growth Hormone in the treatment of HIV / AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. The HIV retrovirus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, vaginal secretions or other bodily fluids come in contact with an uninfected person's broken skin or mucous membranes. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection and are fit and well. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

Growth hormone is a popular bodybuilding and performance enhancing aid, and the use of recombinant human growth hormone (HGH, or simply GH) to treat various conditions in HIV infection has been debated with excitement for years. Indeed it is licensed for the treatment of wasting syndrome in advanced stages of AIDS. GH is also a commonly used bodybuilding and performance enhancing drug, which can be purchased on the black market; used to help both muscle anabolism / strength and reduction in body fat levels. Both of these applications have possible significance in the treatment of HIV.

Other than in the treatment of wasting disease, results from the studies using HGH to treat body changes associated with HIV and/or drugs used to treat HIV have been very favourable. One which has been studied extensively is the use of HGH in reducing HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS). However, the positive effects of HGH treatment in HIV may be more direct. Several studies have proposed that HGH may bolster the immune system in ways that might improve clinical outcomes in HIV.

Let's look at each of the possible treatment benefits of HGH in HIV in turn:

Wasting
Like cancer cachexia, advanced stages of AIDS are characterised by severe muscle wasting and weakness. The reasons for this are because the patient often has a very poor appetite and food intake, as well as there being direct wasting effects from the HIV and some associated diseases which the patient may have, e.g. pneumonia. The patient then enters a downward cycle with diminished strength, poor food intake and further wasting, and it's often this which leads to eventual death.

Both anabolic steroids (AS) and HGH therapy are used clinically to both slow the effects of wasting and to help improve appetite. Both have been shown to prolong life significantly and improve quality of life in advanced stages of AIDS .

HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS)
HARS is a type of lipodystrophy (abnormal distribution of body fat), where there is accumulation of excess truncal fat and visceral adipose tissue, as opposed to regular gynoid (glutes and hips) or android (abdomen) deposition. This is observed in HIV infected people, moreso as virus load increases. Although not a debilitating condition in itself (indeed extra body fat can prolong life if followed by wasting), HARS is unpleasant for the individual, giving reduced confidence in body image; another negative aspect of the disease.
HGH therapy has been shown to significantly reduce HARS, leading to an improved body image, and significant improvement in psychological well-being. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of this, leading to HGH being licesenced for the treatment of HARS in some countries. It should also be noted that improvement in psychological well-being could also contribute to a positive clinical outcome, in that it reduces the effects of wasting.

Immune system
Of most interest in HIV therapy are the possible benefits of HGH use on the immune system, since HIV's primary adverse effect is reduction in the immune system. It has been clearly demonstrated that HGH does benefit the immune system, but the method by which it helps is still under debate. One theory is that HGH may stimulate renewal of the thymus gland, an important organ in the immune system. This may, in turn, lead to improved immune health in people with HIV. Studies are now examining whether or not renewing thymus tissue leads to better health and longer survival.

The thymus is necessary for developing new T-lymphocytes, which are key immune cells in the defence against disease, and numbers of which steadily reduce in HIV as infection progresses. In particular the thymus gland is involved in the development of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and it is the CD4+ level which is a very critical marker in HIV outcome. Without some thymus activity, immune reconstitution that produces a wide range of functional CD4+ cells is not believed to be possible. Thus, the state of the thymus in HIV disease and how therapies affect it are of great interest to those researching ways to restore the immune system.

Acute Infections
HIV patients are often more prone to acute infections which may take longer to clear up than in non-HIV individuals. Sometimes these can be associated with poor appetite and weight loss. HGH therapy may curb rapid weight loss often associated with acute infections in HIV positive people and may also reduce length of infection. Far more research is needed here though.

Fasting lipid profile
HIV patients have been shown to have elevated serum lipids, and dyslipidaemia, i.e. high LDL (bad) cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol with raised total cholesterol and triglycerides. This is associated with anti-HIV drug treatment especially later on in infection. This does increase risk of cardiovascular diseases, and HGH treatment may improve lipid profiles.

Bone Building
HIV patients may have loss of bone density associated with wasting. Both treatment with HGH and growth hormone releasing factor (GHRF) have indicated improved bone mass in HIV patients (Koutkia et al 2005).

Side effects of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. The HIV retrovirus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, vaginal secretions or other bodily fluids come in contact with an uninfected person's broken skin or mucous membranes. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection and are fit and well. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

Growth hormone is a popular bodybuilding and performance enhancing aid, and the use of recombinant human growth hormone (HGH, or simply GH) to treat various conditions in HIV infection has been debated with excitement for years. Indeed it is licensed for the treatment of wasting syndrome in advanced stages of AIDS. GH is also a commonly used bodybuilding and performance enhancing drug, which can be purchased on the black market; used to help both muscle anabolism / strength and reduction in body fat levels. Both of these applications have possible significance in the treatment of HIV.

Other than in the treatment of wasting disease, results from the studies using HGH to treat body changes associated with HIV and/or drugs used to treat HIV have been very favourable. One which has been studied extensively is the use of HGH in reducing HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS). However, the positive effects of HGH treatment in HIV may be more direct. Several studies have proposed that HGH may bolster the immune system in ways that might improve clinical outcomes in HIV.