While rare, growth hormone deficiency can cause various disruptive health issues and interfere with your quality of life. The board-certified team of doctors at The Endocrine Center applies comprehensive testing and treatment for growth hormone problems at their Main Campus, Methodist West, and Greater Heights office locations in Houston, Texas. Call the office nearest you or schedule a consultation online today to discover if growth hormone deficiency is the root cause of your symptoms.
Growth hormone is one of the substances secreted by your anterior pituitary gland. It triggers the production of another hormone in the liver. Together, these two hormones stimulate growth during childhood as well as metabolic processes and psychological well-being in adults.
Growth hormone deficiency can emerge during childhood or later in life. Adult-onset growth hormone deficiency is often due to pituitary gland damage from a tumor or surgery. Other factors that can lead to pituitary gland damage include:
Childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency is typically due to genetic abnormalities or developmental issues that affect the pituitary gland.
Adults with growth hormone deficiency can experience various symptoms, including:
Growth hormone deficiency symptoms can range in severity and become disruptive. The physiological and psychological symptoms may take a toll on your quality of life.
The team at The Endocrine Center uses comprehensive lab tests to identify growth hormone deficiency. They often use the insulin tolerance test.
During the insulin tolerance test, you receive an insulin injection to lower your blood sugar. Your body should respond by releasing growth hormone. The team monitors your physiological response to determine if your body produces adequate amounts of growth hormone.
In most cases, The Endocrine Center team provides growth hormone replacement therapy to treat this condition and relieve your symptoms. When you start treatment, you have appointments with a nurse who teaches you how to give yourself a daily injection.
The injections aren’t painful. You use a device to inject the medicine into your abdomen every day, similar to how a person with diabetes gives themselves a daily insulin shot.
You have routine blood tests, and The Endocrine Center team carefully monitors your health as the treatment rebalances your hormones. Your physician can adjust your dose as needed to optimize your health.
Call your nearest office of The Endocrine Center today or make an appointment online if you have any concerns about growth hormone deficiency or other hormonal health issues.
