Low growth hormone - HormoneHarmony

What is low growth hormone?

Growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and helps regulate growth and metabolism. In children and adolescents, low growth hormone can result in slow growth and short stature. In adults, low growth hormone or growth hormone deficiency can lead to:

• Decreased muscle mass and strength: Growth hormone helps maintain muscle mass. Lack of growth hormone reduces lean body mass.
• Increased body fat: Especially abdominal fat. Low growth hormone shifts metabolism to favor fat storage over building muscle.
• Reduced bone density: Growth hormone plays a role in bone mineralization. Low levels can contribute to osteoporosis.
• Decreased energy levels: Some patients report chronic fatigue due to growth hormone deficiency.
• Impaired cardiac function: Some studies link low growth hormone to adverse changes in cholesterol and heart function.

What causes low growth hormone?

Potential causes include:

• Damage or tumors in the pituitary gland
• Genetic mutations
• Inflammatory diseases
• Head trauma or radiation therapy affecting the pituitary gland
• Idiopathic (no known cause)

Diagnosing growth hormone deficiency involves blood tests of IGF-1 levels and confirming lack of adequate growth hormone production through stimulation tests. Those with childhood onset may benefit from growth hormone therapy to increase height. Treating adults with low hormone levels is more controversial but hormone replacement may help reverse some effects like increased body fat and adverse heart changes.

I aimed to give an overview of the key aspects of low growth hormone in an accessible way for a general audience. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!