Growth hormone deficiency

Growth hormone deficiency, also called GHD or hyposomatotropism, is a medical condition in which the body does not make enough growth hormone. In children the most noticeable sign is usually short height, while newborns may show low blood sugar, and adults may have reduced muscle mass, raised cholesterol or poor bone density. The deficiency can be present from birth or appear later in life. Recorded causes include genetic changes, injury, infection, tumors and radiation therapy, and in about a third of cases no cause is found. The underlying problem generally lies in the pituitary gland, and some cases come with a lack of other pituitary hormones, which is called combined pituitary hormone deficiency. Diagnosis rests on blood tests that measure growth hormone, and treatment replaces the missing hormone with synthetic human growth hormone.