Science

Growth Hormone Therapy

Irish Angel Rumias 10-St.Mary

What is Growth Hormone Therapy?

One type of hormone therapy is called growth hormone therapy, which involves the
use of growth hormone as a prescription medication. Growth hormone is a peptide
hormone that the pituitary gland secretes and which promotes cell division and
growth. In the past, human pituitary glands were used to extract growth hormone.
The most common treatment for growth hormone deficiency in both children and
adults is growth hormone therapy—injections of growth hormone into the body.
 Growth hormone known as somatotropin can be injected by the patient or a
family member (if it's a child with growth hormone deficiency). This hormone, which
is normally produced in the pituitary gland, stimulates growth and cell reproduction
in the bod. Once your doctor prescribes you with growth hormone therapy, you’ll
typically need daily doses of growth hormone. However, depending on the severity of
your condition, you may need growth hormone injections more often.Usually, you’ll
need to see your doctor every 4 to 8 weeks throughout your treatment so that your doctor
can monitor your condition. He or she will test your progress and perform blood tests
to help determine whether more growth hormone is needed. Your doctor will also
monitor your cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, and bone density periodically
while you’re on growth hormone injections to make sure they’re at healthy levels.
Taking growth hormone can impact how the body responds to insulin, which controls
blood glucose levels. Untreated growth hormone deficiency can lead to high cholesterol
and osteoporosis.

In adults, approved uses of HGH include treating short bowel syndrome, a

condition in which nutrients are not properly absorbed due to severe intestinal disease
or the surgical removal of a large portion of the small intestine. HGH deficiency due
to rare pituitary tumors or their treatment Muscle-wasting disease is associated
with HIV/AIDS. But the most common uses for HGH are not FDA-approved. Some
people use the hormone along with other performance-enhancing drugs such as
anabolic steroids in an attempt to build muscle and improve athletic performance..

The usual total weekly dose is 0.3 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) (0.136 mg
per pound) of body weight. This is divided into smaller doses and usually is injected
under the skin, but may be injected into a muscle as determined by your doctor.
Growth hormone injection treatment is prescribed for children who have been
diagnosed with growth hormone (GH) deficiency and other conditions causing short
stature. A number of other tests must be conducted first to confirm GH deficiency,
Turner Syndrome, or other conditions for which GH therapy is indicated.

Although growth hormone injections are relatively safe and effective, there are a
few side effects. Fortunately, serious side effects are rare. Swelling, numbness, and joint
and muscle aches and pains are the most common side effects. You may experience
these side effects if you’re getting more growth hormone than you need. If you have
these symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately. He or she will adjust the amount of
growth hormone you’re taking. Once your doctor adjusts your dose, the symptoms
should go away on their own. There are some people who shouldn’t take growth
hormone injections, such as people who have tumors or cancer. People who are
seriously ill, have multiple injuries from a trauma, or severe breathing problems should
also not take growth hormone injections.

In conclusion, growth hormone therapy is advantageous for people with

cardiomyopathy and those who have adult-onset growth hormone deficit. The roles of
growth hormone include influencing our height, and helping build our bones and
muscles. Natural levels of growth hormone fluctuate during the day, seemingly
influenced by physical activity.