Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency
Nearly ever man and woman will develop an adult growth hormone (GH) deficiency within their lifetime. If caught quickly, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help to minimize or even stop symptoms from taking over their lives. About the age of 30 is when the vital hormone GH starts to slow down in its production. It is the pituitary gland in the brain that is responsible for signaling the body to create growth hormone.
As the body ages, all organs, systems and glands in the body slow down. This includes the pituitary gland. If this gland is not working to its fullest capacity, many things can go wrong, including the decrease in the amount of manufactured GH in the body. When a person’s GH level is too low, symptoms can start to occur that mimic that of growing older.
Growth hormone is responsible for keeping the body looking and feeling young. This means that it is imperative for young and healthy looking skin that has few wrinkles and does not look haggard and old. Growth hormone is what keeps the body sexually charged, mentally alert, emotionally stable and physical strong and vital. An adult growth hormone deficiency can slow a person down tremendously to the point of robbing them of solid and happy quality of life.
What is a human growth hormone (GH) deficiency?
What is a human growth hormone (GH) deficiency? When a man’s or woman’s vital growth hormones are not at the level that they should be within the blood stream, this is called a growth hormone deficiency. The only way to test for a GH deficiency is through a blood test.
Different clinics have varying ranges of what they deem to be low, normal and high levels of growth hormone in the system. However, there is an average number that most people will fit into on those ranges. One should not be too alerted if they fall out of the range on one chart because they may have “normal” growth hormone levels on another chart.
A true growth hormone deficiency is when one’s numbers are extremely low and symptoms are consistent with their low blood test results. The good news about a GH deficiency is that it is nothing abnormal. Most people go through the experience of having a growth hormone depletion. There is solid, research based, effective and safe treatment that can help raise the hormone levels, reduce or eliminate symptoms and give a person back their great quality of life.
Causes And Symptoms Of Growth Hormone Deficiency
What causes growth hormone deficiency? The main cause of a growth hormone deficiency is simply called aging. We may notice right away that a child is almost always happy, carefree, full of energy, heals easily, has no wrinkles and aside from out of the ordinary medical issues, is healthy most of the time. This is in great contrast to older adults.
As people grow older, they will innately lose their growth hormone as a natural part of life. The body is always changing. As it gets older as the days and years pass, it will slow down in all of its functions. This does not mean that life has to stop. It might mean; however, that life might have to change a bit.
Most people will notice older people have sagging skin, wrinkles, less energy, bruises that do not heal very quickly, less height to their frame and they may lose their sexual desire, ability to remember well and to concentrate and focus fully. They become less alert and sometimes, elderly people become depressed, anxious and lose their desire for life.
Below is a full list of many of the symptoms of growth hormone deficiency:
| Less energy, stamina, endurance and vigor | Lethargy, tiredness and fatigue |
| Apathy towards life and a low self esteem | Depression |
| Anger | Anxiety |
| Less ability to deal with tension and/or stress | Irritability and mood swings |
| Difficulty with focus and concentration | Difficulty with memory |
| A weaker immune system | Bruise easily |
| Have a difficult and long healing process | Weight gain |
| Loss of natural lean muscle mass | Loss of sexual desire and libido |
| Erectile dysfunction | Vaginal dryness |
| Hot flashes | Night sweats |
| Inability to have an orgasm | Less ability to sexually fantasize |
| Weak bone mineral density | More risk for breaking bones |
| Risk for developing osteoporosis | Losing height (shrinking) |
| Difficulty with sleeping at night | Insomnia |
| Disturbed sleeping patterns | Shrinking organs |
| Thinning hair or balding | Less nail growth |
| Weaker skin elasticity | Getting sick more often |
| Less exercise capacity | More difficult time recovering from physical activity |
| Higher LDL (bad) cholesterol levels | Risk for atherosclerosis |
Some of the symptoms listed are more serious than others, but all of them should be taken seriously if they are experienced. Not everyone will get all of the ailments listed above and the degree of their severity will vary.
Many traditionally focused doctors may diagnose each of the symptoms mentioned above separately and they may even prescribe chemically filled medications for these ailments. However, the problems may all be caused by the same thing; a growth hormone deficiency. It is well known that more doctors and professionals need to be aware of how powerful growth hormone is for the mind and for the body.
Growth hormone controls every aspect of a person’s physical, emotional, mental and sexual health. If diagnosed correctly, a growth hormone deficiency can be treated and combated rather quickly.
No one has to suffer as they grow older. No one has to lose out on their quality of life because they are considered “elderly.” As long as their growth hormone levels are high and balanced well (because of hormone replacement therapy and a healthy lifestyle) they can live their lives with strength, happiness, plenty of activity and a great social and personal life.
How Is Growth Hormone Deficiency Diagnosed?
How is growth hormone deficiency diagnosed? The only way to get a fully accurate reading on growth hormone levels in the system is through a blood test. When a patient works with an honorable hormone replacement therapy clinic, he or she will get set up by one of their expert clinical advisors for an appointment for blood work.
Most appointments with our clinic will be held at the popular LabCorp. Most people are familiar with this name and feel comfortable working with their very capable and professional clinicians. The blood test is fast, simple and relatively painless. A simple prick in the arm to draw some blood is all it takes. The results are sent back to the clinic that ordered them and the doctor reads the results and diagnosis the condition.
Growth Hormone Deficiency Treatment
How is growth hormone deficiency treated? Hormone replacement therapy is one of the most effective, safe and popular ways to treat a growth hormone deficiency. Only a doctor can prescribe the correct therapy for you when you partake in HRT. He or she will analyze your medical information and determine which hormone you are lacking.
Once a doctor knows that growth hormone is depleted in your system, he or she will then decide which of the most popular 5 HGH medications would be best suited for you and your needs. The doctor will most likely choose from the following HGH medications:
- Humatrope by Eli Lilly
- Norditropin by Novo Nordisk
- Genotropin by Pfizer
- Omnitrope by Sandoz
- Saizen by EMD Serono
All of the above medications are 100 percent pure, 191 amino acid sequences that are manufactured in controlled laboratories. They are only to be taken as subcutaneous injections which means that the needle is inserted just under the skin.
It is important to take the exact dosage of medication that the doctor prescribed for the best results. Take your medication as frequently as is prescribed as well and store it properly when not in use. Make sure to keep up with your medical supervision with your doctor. Treatment for a growth hormone deficiency has been clinically proven to be effective in many research studies that have been published in many of the world’s most prestigious medical journals.
What Are The Longer-Term Implications Of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency?
What is the long-term outlook for GHD? The long term outlook for growth hormone deficiencies are very tolerable when hormone replacement therapy helps to restore the depleted hormone. People can go on to live very happy and healthy lives full of quality when their growth hormone levels are kept up and balanced.
If a growth hormone deficiency is not treated, the symptoms will not improve, but possibly only get worse and more severe. Some people who do not receive treatment for their symptoms may not be troubled by them. Some symptoms are not so terrible and people can care for them with changes to their diet, sleep patterns, exercise routine, stress level, alcoholic consumption and staying safe from smoking and toxic environmental factors.
How to Start AGHD Treatment
It is very easy to start AGHD treatment. All you need to do is fill out our online contact form located on this page. You will be asked for your general contact information and you will be able to send a message if you wish. An expert clinical advisor will call you at your convenience to begin discussing the possibilities for treatment for your human growth hormone deficiency.
After the first conversation with your advisor, you will decide if you wish to continue with treatment. If so, you will:
- Get blood work taken
- Complete a medical exam with a doctor
- Fill out a medical history form
These are the three necessities that will begin your journey to bettering your emotional, mental, physical and sexual health as you get a diagnosis, a prescription and begin therapy with medical supervision.
Begin AGHD treatment by reaching out to us. Our contact form is right here online whenever you feel you are ready to fill it out. You can also call us during normal business hours to get all the information you will need about a human growth hormone deficiency and everything about it.
National HRT Staff
Please note that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.