Growth hormone deficiency is natural, and there are many people who are diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency daily. But how to know if you have the deficiency? We have put forward five diagnoses of growth hormone deficiency.
- Often feeling lethargic
One of the most common signs of a human growth hormone deficiency is a lack of energy. When a person suffers from a human growth hormone deficiency, he or she is likely to feel tired easily.
In some people, they may constantly feel tired irrespective of the amount of rest they have gotten.
One of the most observed reasons why this happens in people who suffer from a human growth hormone deficiency is that the condition causes an abnormal pattern in a person’s sleeping schedule.
In fact, when the pituitary gland fails to produce adequate human growth hormones naturally, the person may feel excessive sleepiness. They may also find falling asleep very difficult in spite of the constant sleepiness.
Even when they sleep, the quality of sleep is not that great. In effect, such a person tends to feel a constant sense of tiredness and finds concentrating during the day very difficult.
- Short stature in children
When a human growth hormone deficiency is observed in children, one of the most obvious signs is a short stature for their age.
We know that human growth hormones are responsible for the development of many bodily organs and their functions. This also involves the development of bones, muscles, and teeth.
Children whose production of human growth hormones is normal will simply tend to grow up normally. Those who have an abundance of human growth hormones will tend to grow up quite tall.
But children who struggle with a human growth hormone deficiency will tend to have stunted development. As such, they will tend to appear significantly shorter and smaller than the rest of their peers.
Children and teens who struggle with a human growth hormone deficiency may also develop small penises and breasts, which may affect their body image as they grow up into adulthood.
- Blood tests reveal a low level of HGH
If you wish to test for a human growth hormone deficiency, you may get a blood test from a hospital or clinic. In a blood test, your body will be measured for its ability to produce human growth hormones naturally.
Your pituitary gland will be triggered, so to speak, to produce more human growth hormones in a short time and this is the very thing that will show up in your blood sample.
This type of human growth hormone measurement by blood testing is typically called the ‘GH stimulation test’.
To begin a blood test to measure your body’s natural production of human growth hormones you will be asked to sit down and an IV needle will be inserted into your arm. This is done to take your initial blood sample.
Then, right after, you will be given a medicine that should trigger the production of human growth hormones in your pituitary gland.
- Genetic testing can show HGH deficiency
Human growth hormone deficiency in children is known to be genetic. This isn’t the case in all children, but a human growth hormone deficiency in children is indeed often hereditary.
Therefore, if you want to check if your child suffers from a human growth hormone deficiency, you can try a genetic screening for this purpose.
Many health professionals are going to determine whether or not your child needs a genetic screening for this purpose.
Usually, healthcare professionals are going to recommend genetic screening to check for any human growth hormone deficiency if your child seems to be much smaller for his or her age.
If your teen is having delayed puberty, this screening may also be useful. Other traits that may be suspected to be caused by a human growth hormone deficiency would be abnormal or delayed bone growth.
Keep in mind that not all of these are necessarily caused by a human growth hormone deficiency.
- A constant lack of quality sleep
In adults, some covert signs that they are struggling with a human growth hormone deficiency is the constant lack of quality sleep.
Adults who have experienced an injury to the head may have gotten their pituitary gland to decline in the production of human growth hormones naturally. This condition may also be caused by a tumour in the pituitary gland.
As such, hormonal imbalances are now causing an adult to find it very difficult to get quality sleep. Keep in mind though, a human growth hormone deficiency is a rare condition.
It is not the case that every adult person who struggles with falling asleep is afflicted by it. It could just be insomnia caused by a plethora of other possible reasons.
If you want to make sure you are or are not suffering from a human growth hormone deficiency, you may try a genetic screening or blood test.
SIMILAR QUESTION
Can Growth Hormone Be Detected In Blood Test?
Introduction
Growth hormone (GH) is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. It is essential for normal growth and development and has a range of other effects in the body. GH is released in pulses throughout the day and night and its secretion can be detected in the blood. This article will examine the different methods used to detect GH in the blood and the implications of GH testing.
Methods of Detecting Growth Hormone in Blood
Growth hormone can be detected in the blood by a variety of methods. The most common of these methods is the radioimmunoassay (RIA), which measures the amount of GH in the blood. This method is used to diagnose medical conditions that involve an excess or deficiency of GH. Another method is the immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), which is used to detect the presence of GH in the blood. It is also used to diagnose growth disorders caused by abnormal levels of GH.
The most accurate way to measure GH levels in the blood is the direct sampling of GH from the pituitary gland. This is done through a procedure called a GH stimulation test, where a hormone is injected into the body to stimulate the release of GH. The amount of GH released is then measured in the blood.
Implications of GH Testing
Growth hormone testing is important for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions that involve abnormal GH levels. These conditions include growth hormone deficiency, pituitary tumours, and acromegaly. Testing can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of GH replacement therapy.
Furthermore, GH testing can be used to diagnose certain types of cancer. These include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Testing can also be used to measure the response of cancer cells to treatments such as chemotherapy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, growth hormone can be detected in the blood using a variety of methods. These methods include radioimmunoassay, immunoradiometric assay, and direct sampling of GH from the pituitary gland. GH testing is important for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions that involve abnormal GH levels. It can also be used to diagnose certain types of cancer and to monitor the response of cancer cells to treatments.
