Introduction
Growth hormone is stimulated by growth hormone-releasing hormone and is inhibited by somatostatin. Growth hormone secretion occurs after the onset of deep sleep and mainly at puberty. Growth hormone increases in response to decreased food intake and physiological stress and decreases in response to food ingestion. In cases of an overabundance of the hormone or hormone deficiency, it can lead to many abnormalities.
What Is Growth Hormone?
The pituitary gland is the structure of the brain that produces different types of specialized hormones, that includes growth hormone, and the role of this hormone is influencing height, helping in building muscles and bones. Naturally, growth hormone levels fluctuate during the day and are influenced by physical activity. Levels rise while exercising and doing other physical activities. These hormone levels increase in childhood and attain a peak in adolescence. Growth hormones promote bone growth and cartilage and regulate fat, muscle, and tissues of the body. All of these naturally reduce from middle age.
What Are the Effects of Growth Hormones on the Body?
Along with increasing the height of children and adolescents, they have effects on other functions like:
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Plays a key role in homeostasis.
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Reduces liver uptake of glucose.
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Promotes lipolysis (the process through which fats are hydrolyzed, or broken down, in the body is known as lipolysis).
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Increases calcium retention.
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Increases mass of muscles.
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Promotes gluconeogenesis in the liver.
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Promotes protein synthesis.
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Increases deiodination.
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Stimulate the immune system.
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Contributes to the function of pancreatic islets.
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Contributes to the development of external organs.
What Are the Conditions That Lead to Excess Growth Hormone?
The excess secretion of growth hormone leads to tumors of the pituitary gland composed of anterior pituitary somatotroph cells. These adenomas can slowly grow and produce more growth hormone. When these adenomas become large, they can cause impaired vision and headache and lead to the deficiency of other pituitary hormones. Prolonged growth hormone excess can cause the thickening of toes, fingers, and bone of the jaw, a condition called acromegaly.
What Conditions Are Lead by Growth Hormone Deficiency?
Growth hormone deficiency effects can vary according to age. Alteration in the somatomedin can result in deficiency, leading to the failure of the liver. Short stature and delayed sexual maturation are the main effects of children's growth failure. The most common cause is pituitary adenoma in adults, leading to a deficiency.
Other structural lesions, a relative increase in fat, decreased overall energy, decreased quality of life, and very infrequently, idiopathic GHD are also observed.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Growth Hormone Deficiency?
Growth hormone deficiency leads to symptoms like:
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Reduced muscle mass.
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Poor bone density.
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Poor memory
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Increased body fat around the waist.
Patients do get benefits from growth hormone injections, which can help in;
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Increasing energy levels.
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Increasing muscle mass.
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Increasing exercise capacity.
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Decreasing body fat.
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Reducing the risk of heart disease.
What Are the Side Effects of Synthetic Growth Hormone?
Around one-third of the population use synthetic growth hormone and experience side effects that include:
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High blood sugar levels.
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Joint and muscle pain.
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Fluid retention.
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High cholesterol levels.
What Is the Test That Measures Human Growth Hormone Levels?
A series of blood tests are done to check the growth hormone levels and related issues.
The pituitary gland normally releases growth hormone in the bloodstream in pulses throughout the day and night. It is at its peak at night. A single blood test fails to interpret the exact values, so repeated blood tests are done.
In most cases, growth hormone stimulation and suppression tests are done to diagnose conditions caused by hormone deficiency. Also, a blood test is done to measure the amount of insulin-like growth factor -1 (IGF-1).
How Is Growth Hormone Used as Medication?
A synthetic form of human growth hormone is used to treat many conditions. This form is prescribed, available, and injected as advised. Healthcare providers prescribe human growth hormone as a treatment for:
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The conditions that lead to short stature are carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and Prader-Willi syndrome.
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Growth hormone deficiency.
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Loss of muscle tissue due to HIV ( human immunodeficiency virus).
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Short bowel syndrome.
What Is Growth Hormone Abuse?
Individuals abuse synthetic growth hormones to increase muscle strength and size. These abuses can cause an irreversible condition like the overgrowth of bones in the feet, hands, and face called acromegaly.
Some individuals who abuse growth hormones also take other medications or illicit drugs to speed up physical transformation. Some of these substances include steroids, amphetamines, diuretics, and beta-blockers.
What Are the Risks of Growth Hormone Abuse?
Harmful side effects result from the abuse of growth hormones. Short-term effects result in fluid build-up, muscle pain, and swelling in joints. If needles are used in injecting the hormone, individuals are more likely to get exposed to hepatitis, AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), and HIV. Overdose of growth hormone for a prolonged period can lead to heart disease. If growth hormone derived from human tissue are used, they may result in fatal conditions affecting the brain, like Cowden disease (a rare inherited condition marked by the presence of much benign growth called hamartomas) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (a worsening brain disorder that causes unique changes in the brain tissue and affects the muscle coordination like thinking and memory).
Does Human Growth Hormone Come in the Form of a Pill?
Human growth hormone is given in the form of a supplement in cases of deficiency and deficiency-related problems. In most cases, it is administered in the form of an injection. There is no pill form available to administer human growth hormone. Some dietary supplements claim the pill has growth hormone boost levels, but it is not scientifically proven.
Conclusion
Growth hormone is a highly powerful and necessary hormone for several bodily processes, and its deficiency and increase can lead to many complications and conditions. Growth hormones can increase muscle mass and affect the reduction and amount of body fat in older individuals. Increased muscles do not relate to increased strength. Healthy benefits are provided to adults with appropriate levels of growth hormone.
