Attached.

Running head: Growth hormone

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Growth hormone
Name of student
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Growth hormone

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Growth hormones are naturally produced by the human being body in the pituitary gland1, They
are responsible for cell growth and regenerations of dead cells. They also help in maintaining the
health of human tissues, for example, the human brain and other vital organs. After growth
hormones had released from pituitary gland into the bloodstream, they only last for a few
minutes to be converted by the liver into growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-1
which then helps in boosting anabolic properties of the human body. The study of human growth
hormones started in the 1950s where scientist harvested growth hormones from pituitary gland,
and it was developed in
laboratories and tested in 1981 which was then approved2.
Human Growth hormone deficiency is a disorder where pituitary gland does not produce enough
growth hormone hence leading to slower human growth than usual. This deficiency can be
caused by congenital which is a state that exists at birth or can also occur after birth3. Spiliotis
stated that “Congenital deficiency can be with associated with the abnormal pituitary gland,
medical condition, brain injury” (Spiliotis, 1992). Children with growth hormone deficiency are
always shorter than other healthy children of their age. They can also have rounder faces and
chubby around the abdomen. The symptoms associated with growth hormone deficiency

1

De Vos, A. M., Putsch, M., & Korsakoff, A. A. (1992). Human growth hormone and the
extracellular domain of its receptor: crystal structure of the complex. Science, 255(5042), 306312.
2

Spiliotis, B. E., August, G. P., Hung, W., Sonic, W., Mendelson, W., & Bercu, B. B. (1984).
Growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction: a treatable cause of short stature. Jama, 251(17),
2223-2230.
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Spiliotis, B. E., August, G. P., Hung, W., Sonic, W., Mendelson, W., & Bercu, B. B. (1984).
Growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction: a treatable cause of short stature. Jama, 251(17),
2223-2230.

Growth hormone

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includes; depression, lack of concentration, poor memory, reduced strength, emotional stress,
thin hair growth, delayed puberty, short stature, delay maturation, poor nail growth, slow tooth
eruption, delayed lengthening of the bones, reduced bone strength, depression or anxiety over
short size, measurement of height in the lowest third percentile as compared to other children the
same age, increased cardiovascular risks, decreased energy levels, prominent forehead
little bridge of the nose and increased risk of having frequent infections.
Human growth hormone deficiency in children can be diagnosed by taking a blood test of the
children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) symptoms. Badaru says, “low blood level is
one of the symptoms of GHD, but it is not enough evidence to make a diagnosis of growth
hormone deficiency (GHD)” (Badaru, 2004). Other evidence considered includes; developing
growth plate tissues at the end of the leg bones or the arm where they will be fused after child
development and an autoimmune condition. X-rays of the arm or leg of a child with growth
hormone deficiency (GHD) indicate the level of bone growth. Another test taken to determine
the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is the function of kidney and thyroid test
which determine the production and the use of growth hormones by a human body. By Spiliotis,
“An MRI scan can be done if the doctor detected tumor or injury to the pituitary gland”
(Spiliotis, 1984). The testing determines if the growth hormone deficiency (GHD) was caused
after the birth of a child or during the birth of a child4.

4

Badaru, A., & Wilson, D. M. (2004). Alternatives to growth hormone stimulation testing in
children. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 15(6), 252-258.

Growth hormone

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Human growth hormone deficiency in children can be treated by injecting growth hormones
harvested from a normal human being pituitary gland5. Growth hormones are injected into fatty
tissues of the child body for example, into their back of the arms, buttocks and thighs. This is
done as daily to be an effective treatment. By Athanasios, “Growth hormone is given by
injection, typically into the body’s fatty tissues, such as the back of the arms, thighs, or buttocks”
(Athanasios, 1997). It's most useful as a daily treatment. The children with growth hormone
deficiency are treated up to puberty stage of growth. Some children remain in therapy for entire
lives while some will naturally start to produce growth hormone as they enter adulthood after
treatment6. Growth hormone deficiency doctor will determine whether a child will require
continues treatment for a short term or a long term depending on the diagnosis. The side effects
of treatment include redness at the injection site, hip pain, curving of the spin, headaches and
often long-term treatment caused diabetes7.
For a normal short 25- year old adult requesting for a growth hormone deficiency treatment is
useless, and it is considered as the abuse of human growth hormone. They usually use human

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Spiliotis, B. E., August, G. P., Hung, W., Sonic, W., Mendelson, W., & Bercu, B. B. (1984).
Growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction: a treatable cause of short stature. Jama, 251(17),
2223-2230.
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Athanasios, A. F., Lamberts, S. W., Maasranga, A. M., Birkett, M. A., Bates, P. C., Valka, N.
K., ... & Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency Study Group. (1997). Adult growth hormone (GH)deficient patients demonstrate heterogeneity between childhood onset and adult onset before and
during human GH treatment. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 82(1), 8288.

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Tanner, J. M., Whitehouse, R. H., Hughes, P. C. R., & Vince, F. P. (1971). Effect of human
growth hormone treatment for 1 to 7 years on the growth of 100 children, with growth hormone
deficiency, low birthweight, inherited smallness, Turner's syndrome, and other complaints.
Archives of Disease in Childhood, 46(250), 745-782.

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growth hormone to enhance height, strength, energy, bone density8. This treatment in adult has
health impacts such as reduction in life expectancy, cardiovascular mortality rate, changes body
composition, diabetes, fluid retention, carpal syndrome tunnel and high blood pressure9. The
growth hormone injection to healthy adults for personal satisfaction and competition other than
for treatment in small children with GHD is considered a waste of resources and exploitation of
people which expose them to unnecessary risk and should be discouraged.

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Athanasios, A. F., Lamberts, S. W., Maasranga, A. M., Birkett, M. A., Bates, P. C., Valka, N.
K., ... & Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency Study Group. (1997). Adult growth hormone (GH)deficient patients demonstrate heterogeneity between childhood onset and adult onset before and
during human GH treatment. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 82(1), 8288.
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Horber, F. F., & Haymond,...