What Are the Causes of No Human Growth Hormone?
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Human Growth Deficiencies
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According to the Human Growth Foundation, an estimated 15,000 children suffer in one form or another from a human growth hormone deficiency. Growth hormones are part of the human endocrine system, or the system governing hormones. The chief operator of the endocrine system is the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland controls releases of growth hormones, which stimulate cell reproduction.
Causes of Deficiency
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While there are many causes of hormonal deficiencies, one needs to pay close attention to the nature of the deficiency. There are two main types, being total and partial. In a total deficiency there is no growth hormones created. In a partial deficiency, there are few hormones being secreted by the pituitary gland. A deformity in the pituitary gland will undoubtedly be a culprit in these types of deficiencies. According to the Human Growth Foundation, hypopituitarism may be the leading cause in most deformities. Hypopituitarism occurs when a tumor, benign or malignant, presses on the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, resulting in a sort of malfunction of the gland's daily tasks. In most cases the tumor may be removed, relieving the symptoms. While hormonal deficiencies can be treated, it is important to note that sometimes the cause is never identified.
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Diagnosis
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To determine the cause of such deficiencies, one must be able to spot the symptoms. The Human Growth Foundation has suggested that symptoms that appear include a slow rate of limb growth, the child is shorter compared to other children of similar age, and immature features. Any child fitting any of these suggested symptoms is urged to be evaluated by a physician. Testing for deficiencies is extremely difficult in that the normal human body produces growth hormones in short bursts. At any given time, there may be hundreds of traceable samples, or there may be very few. Administering exercise and certain drug therapies have been proven to stimulate the pituitary gland to produce hormones. So, in essence, if the pituitary gland is not functioning, there will be no reaction to such activities. Another test involves the child being admitted to the hospital and observed over the course of a few days. Doctors will measure growth hormone levels at all times in this observed test. Diagnosis may be just as tricky as determining the cause.
Treatment
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Treatment seems to be the easiest part of the process, albeit is the longest. Treatment is simple. Doctors administer what the patient is lacking. Growth Hormones. This occurs over the period of several months running all the way up to a few years. The purpose being the patient achieves the desired growth or reaches the maximum growth potential. A bio-synthetic, or man-made, growth hormone is the source of the treatment.
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References
- Photo Credit Photo taken by Biberta
