Children with GH deficiency may be diagnosed through routine growth monitoring using growth charts or by noticing that they are shorter than their peers. Their healthcare provider may do certain blood tests or an X-ray to check their growth hormone levels.
Some cases of GHD are caused by problems with the pituitary gland or the brain around it. Other cases are idiopathic.
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If your child has a slow rate of growth or is much shorter than other children of the same age and sex, they should see their healthcare provider. They will ask questions about your child’s health history and symptoms, and give them a physical exam. They may also order blood tests to check for low levels of growth hormone and other related substances.
There are different types of growth hormone deficiency, depending on whether it is present at birth (congenital) or developed during childhood or adulthood. Some are caused by brain tumors, severe head injury, or radiation treatment for other illnesses. Others are genetic problems or results from a birth defect of the pituitary gland, such as cleft palate or single central incisor.
Your healthcare provider will evaluate your child’s weight, height and body mass index (BMI). They will also compare their growth milestones against those of other children the same age. They may order X-rays of the wrist and hand to measure bone growth (bone age X-rays). They may also order certain screening laboratory tests to rule out other conditions that affect growth or to help diagnose GHD.
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Bone density is a measure of the strength and quality of bone. It is lower in children with GHD and is a predictor of final height. GH treatment is associated with increased bone density and a decrease in fracture rates.
IGF-1 is the hormone that stimulates skeletal growth during childhood and adolescence. It also plays a role in muscle development, fat metabolism, and lipid regulation. Deficiency of GH or IGF-1 leads to decreased bone density and reduced muscle mass. It can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and breast cancer.
To determine your bone density, doctors use a test called dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A DXA scan measures your bone mineral density at a specific site of the body. It compares your bone density to the BMD of a healthy person at a similar age, sex, and race. The results are reported as a T score. A T score below 2.5 indicates osteopenia or low bone density, which is a risk factor for future fractures. Your doctor may also order an MRI or CT scan, which uses large magnets and a computer to make detailed pictures of organs and tissues in the body.
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In children, the most common symptom of growth hormone deficiency is a slow rate of height growth. Usually, children with GHD grow less than 2 inches each year. This is significantly below the average for their age and sex. They may also have a younger-looking face and a chubby body. The condition is sometimes called pituitary dwarfism, but it can be corrected by treatment with synthetic growth hormone.
Children with GHD typically have normal intelligence and normal musculoskeletal development, but they are shorter than children of the same age and sex. Their short stature is caused by problems with the pituitary gland or its surrounding structures. This condition is present at birth (called congenital) or develops in early childhood (called acquired).
Genetic disorders that affect growth can result in short stature, including Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Aarskog syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and Silver-Russell syndrome. Other causes of short stature include chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Crohn disease, anemia and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Vitamins and dietary supplements do not improve the outcome of non-pathologic short stature.
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Your muscles are an important part of a healthy body. They provide strength, help control your body fat percentage and can even increase the amount of energy you burn. Low muscle mass is called sarcopenia, and it can lead to a decreased quality of life, increased morbidity and even death.
The most common test for Growth Hormone Deficiency is the insulin tolerance test (sometimes called the glucose tolerance test). This involves injecting the patient with insulin to stimulate a stress reaction in which the body normally releases growth hormone. Failure to produce this release confirms GH deficiency.
However, if you see that your lean body mass on your DEXA scan has decreased, don’t panic. Remember that this number includes organs and water in addition to muscle. This can change due to various factors such as aging, disuse atrophy or neurogenic atrophy from nerve problems or diseases. Your healthcare provider can recommend a plan to build up your muscles and help you avoid sarcopenia. They may suggest that you start hitting the gym or drinking protein shakes and eating a nutritious diet to rebuild your muscles and maintain them.
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Everyone feels tired from time to time, but if you are constantly feeling exhausted and cannot seem to get enough sleep, it could be an indicator of a medical condition. If fatigue is affecting your quality of life and making it hard to focus, speak with your doctor about it.
Fatigue is a common symptom of many diseases, and is usually the first sign of an illness. It can also be the only symptom of certain disorders, such as myasthenia gravis or Eaton-Lambert syndrome.
Getting enough rest and eating healthy is important in treating fatigue, but you should only see a doctor when it is severe or does not respond to lifestyle changes. Your doctor will take a thorough history, perform a physical examination and order lab tests to determine the cause of your fatigue. They may also prescribe medications to help treat the underlying cause, such as low iron or thyroid problems. They may also recommend therapy to help address the emotional causes of fatigue, such as depression or anxiety. In addition, they may recommend avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and antidepressants, which can make the symptoms worse.