What Are The Affects Of Growth Hormone Deficiency In Adulthood?

Posted on Wed, 22 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 22 Jan 2014 Answered on

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi i would like to know more about growth hormones. In adulthood, is the arrest of growth of internal organs, bones and everything else because of the decrease in growth hormone production?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: No Detailed Answer: The role of growth hormone deficiency is adulthood is a bit controversial, at least in terms of mandating replacement therapy. It is not as if the growth of internal organs and bones is adversely affected after adulthood is attained. There is published literature on Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) as a syndrome that might benefit from treatment from Growth Hormone (GH) injections. Proposed benefits of treatment include improvements in body composition, exercise capacity, skeletal integrity, and quality of life measures and is most likely to benefit those patients who have more severe GHD. The risks associated with GH treatment are low. GH dosing regimens should be individualized. The final decision to treat adults with GHD requires thoughtful clinical judgement with a careful evaluation of the benefits and risks specific to the individual. Diagnosing true GHD requires systematic evaluation and testing by an Endocrinologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar