What does growth hormone therapy treat? What an endocrinologist needs you to know.
Growth hormone treatment is a safe and effective therapy that’s often used to treat children and adults with a deficiency in human growth hormone (also known as HGH or somatropin).
Naturally-occurring HGH is released by your pituitary gland, and it supports a few essential bodily functions. HGH plays an important role in children’s vertical growth and development. Once you’ve stopped growing, HGH supports your metabolism, and helps maintain healthy blood glucose levels, per Cleveland Clinic.
GH therapy doesn’t just treat individuals with a growth hormone deficiency — it’s also been FDA-approved to support individuals living with other chronic health conditions. So, who needs GH therapy, and what’s the best time to start it? Here’s what an endocrinologist needs you to know.
Who is eligible for growth hormone treatment?
For children living with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), taking prescription HGH (administered via injections) can help them reach their fullest growth potential, per the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
In addition to GHD, there are a few other conditions that GH therapy can be used to treat. According to Dr. Apoorva R. Waikar, a physician with Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, FDA-approved uses for pediatric GH therapy in the U.S. include:
GH deficiency
Children born small for gestational age without catch-up growth
Idiopathic short stature
Chronic kidney disease (associated with growth impairment)
Genetic conditions (including Turner Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, SHOX gene haploinsufficiency, and Noonan Syndrome)
In adults, GH therapy has been FDA-approved to treat GHD and HIV-related muscle loss.
What causes growth hormone deficiency?
GHD is a relatively rare condition. Slowed growth, short stature, and low blood glucose levels in infants and toddlers are among a few signs of GH deficiency in children, Waikar says.
A child can be born with GHD, or it could be a condition acquired later in life, says Waikar. Often, “there is no identifiable cause for growth hormone deficiency,” notes Waikar. Brain abnormalities and certain genetic conditions can affect the development of the pituitary gland, which may impact the production of growth hormone in a fetus, she says.
According to Waikar, acquired causes of GHD could be the result of:
Tumors in the pituitary gland
Brain surgery
Radiation therapy
Head trauma
Infections
Autoimmune conditions affecting the pituitary gland
What is the best age to start growth hormone treatment?
“The optimal age for starting growth hormone therapy depends on the underlying cause of the growth issue,” Waikar says. When certain health conditions are developed in childhood or early adolescence, GH treatment may begin as early as 2-3, she says.
“The decision to start GH therapy is often based on a careful evaluation of growth patterns, potential benefits and risks of treatment and overall health,” Waikar explains. It’s important to note that taking HGH will have no impact on someone’s height once growth plates have been fused, which usually occurs in late puberty, she says.
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Ultimately, “the earlier growth hormone therapy is started, the more effective it can be in maximizing a child’s growth potential,” Waikar says. “However, depending on the specific condition being treated, the optimal age can vary and hence a pediatric endocrinologist typically assesses these factors to determine the best timing for initiating treatment.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is the best age to start growth hormone treatment?
