Growth Hormone Tips

The body produces a number of chemicals called hormones which are essential for the regulation of various functions including growth and metabolism. These hormones are produced by endocrine glands which are located in various parts of the body. One such important gland is the pituitary gland which produces the important growth hormone. This is essential for regulating optimal growth during the growing years and for maintaining proper amounts of body fat, muscles, and bones in the later years of life.

Causes: Deficiency of the growth hormones can occur due to a number of causes, some of which are listed below. It can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life.
The congenital issue could be due to problem in the pituitary gland structure, leading to complete absence or reduced secretion of the hormone.
With age, there is a decrease in the amount of secretion. However, infections, injuries, brain tumors, surgery and radiation can also lead to altered amounts of secretion.

Symptoms: While growth hormone deficiency can occur at any age, symptoms differ depending on the age when the deficiency sets in.
In the early ages:

• Lower rate of growth for a given age
• Delayed developmental milestones
• Delayed onset of puberty
• Short stature/reduced height
• Younger looking compared to other children their age
• Fat deposition around the waist
• Delayed dental development

When the deficiency sets in during the later years, there is

• Low energy levels, constant tiredness
• Decreased strength
• Decreased exercise tolerance
• Decreased overall muscle mass
• Thin and dry skin
• Increased fat deposition and weight gain around the waist
• Changes in social behavior including alternate cycles of anxiety and depression
• Lack of motivation
• History of pituitary tumors
• High levels of fat and cholesterol

The diagnosis depends on the age of the person

• Blood tests are carried out to check the hormone levels in circulation
• In children, in addition to the hormone levels, x-rays to see the status of growth plates is very helpful.
• An insulin hypoglycemia test where insulin is given intravenously to see the levels of the growth hormone after 30 minutes.
• Total cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglyceride levels can be used to supplement the above tests.
• CT scan and/or MRI of the brain may be needed if tumors are suspected.

Treatment: Once diagnosed, replacement therapy is given as shots a few times a week under the skin. This restores normal growth and helps in controlling the symptoms in adults too.
In cases of tumor, radiation or surgery may be required, but most cases are managed with hormone replacement.
Watch out for the symptoms if your child has delayed developmental milestones and early intervention can help restore growth and function to normal levels.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

The body produces a number of chemicals called hormones which are essential for the regulation of various functions including growth and metabolism. These hormones are produced by endocrine glands which are located in various parts of the body. One such important gland is the pituitary gland which produces the important growth hormone. This is essential for regulating optimal growth during the growing years and for maintaining proper amounts of body fat, muscles, and bones in the later years of life.

Causes

• Deficiency of the growth hormones can occur due to a number of causes, some of which are listed below. It can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life.
• The congenital issue could be due to problem in the pituitary gland structure, leading to complete absence or reduced secretion of the hormone.
• With age, there is a decrease in the amount of secretion. However, infections, injuries, brain tumors, surgery and radiation can also lead to altered amounts of secretion.

Symptoms

While growth hormone deficiency can occur at any age, symptoms differ depending on the age when the deficiency sets in , in the early stages:

• Lower rate of growth for a given age
• Delayed developmental milestones
• Delayed onset of puberty
• Short stature/reduced height
• Younger looking compared to other children their age
• Fat deposition around the waist
• Delayed dental development

When the deficiency sets in during the later years, one can notice the below:

• Low energy levels, constant tiredness
• Decreased strength
• Decreased exercise tolerance
• Decreased overall muscle mass
• Thin and dry skin
• Increased fat deposition and weight gain around the waist
• Changes in social behavior including alternate cycles of anxiety and depression
• Lack of motivation
• History of pituitary tumors
• High levels of fat and cholesterol

The diagnosis depends on the age of the person

• Blood tests are carried out to check the hormone levels in circulation
• In children, in addition to the hormone levels, x-rays to see the status of growth plates is very helpful.
• An insulin hypoglycemia test where insulin is given intravenously to see the levels of the growth hormone after 30 minutes.
• Total cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglyceride levels can be used to supplement the above tests.
• CT scan and/or MRI of the brain may be needed if tumors are suspected.

Treatment

• Once diagnosed, replacement therapy is given as shots a few times a week under the skin. This restores normal growth and helps in controlling the symptoms in adults too.
• In cases of tumor, radiation or surgery may be required, but most cases are managed with hormone replacement.
• Watch out for the symptoms if your child has delayed developmental milestones and early intervention can help restore growth and function to normal levels.

Growth hormone or somatropin is responsible for cell growth as well as reproduction. But insufficient somatropin production by the pituitary gland may result in lack in height. It is mostly caused by a serious brain injury, any prevalent medical condition or might occur as a birth defect.

Types:

1. Congenital GHD - This form of GHD appears from at the time of birth itself.
2. Acquired GHD- GHD can be acquired during later life as a result of trauma, infection, tumor growth within the brain or radiation therapy.
3. Idiopathic GHD- Idiopathic GHD is the third, and comparatively worst kind of GHD since it has no treatment.

GHD is mostly permanent, but can also be transient. Read on to know how to detect whether you or your child is suffering from growth hormone deficiency(GHD).

Symptoms:
Childhood onset

1. Restricted height- Compared to other children of your child's age, he/she may be of shorter height, which is a rather conclusive sign to detect somatropin deficiency.
2. Chubby and comparatively younger appearance- Your child may have a proportionate body, but if he/she is unnaturally chubby and has a baby-face compared to other children, he/she may be suffering from GHD.
3. Late puberty- Your child's puberty maybe later than usual or even not appear at all, depending upon the gravity of the GHD.
4. Hypoglycemia and exaggerated jaundice- Low blood sugar is amongst the most primary manifestations of GHD, along with extended duration of jaundice.
5. Micro-penis- Micro penis condition is one of the incident signs of GHD, which later escalates to growth deficit as the infant gets older.

Adult onset:

1. Fatigue- Adults with GHD may experience extreme tiredness throughout the day, with reduced muscle strength.
2. Osteoporosis- Osteoporosis, along with bodily deformities, is a common sign in adults with GHD.
3. Lipid abnormalities- A test of your lipid profile may reveal abnormalities in LDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, and impaired cardiac functions.

Tests to determine GHD:

1. Physical test- A chart is drawn to determine the proportion of height and weight with respect to your age to detect anomalies.
2. Hand X-ray- A hand X-ray can determine whether the age of bones are at par with your age.
3. MRI-MRI scan can determine the health of your brain and pituitary gland.
4. Test for other hormones- Growth Hormone may not be solely responsible for your health condition, so it is important to determine if other hormone levels are all normal.

Treatment:

1. Hormone supplements- Hormone supplements like corticosteroids (hydrocortisone or prednisone), Levothyroxine (levoxyl, synthroid, etc), and others work to replenish the deficiency of pituitary hormones.
2. Growth hormone injection- GH is injected beneath your skin, to cure GDH. This is a long-term treatment and requires constant monitoring.

Allopathic medicine seems to be the de facto choice when it comes to treating emergency issues, and this fact does have merit backing it up. However, when a person has a reasonably inconsequential issue; homoeopathic medicine is the way to go!

Understanding Acromegaly!
Acromegaly is a situation in which there is an excess of the growth hormone produced. The good news is that is treatable, but while it is so, the diagnosis is not always correct, in many of the cases. This leads to a delay in the treatment and a long time for Acromegaly to have its effects, which progressively get worse. Most people who get Acromegaly notice their hands and feet getting bigger. This usually starts off by a person’s ring not fitting on as smoothly as it used to or his or her shoes feeling a bit tighter than they were earlier.

When a person is looking for ways to treat the condition of Acromegaly that he or she has the unenviable prospect of having to face, it can be said that while there are cures in various fields of medicine, homeopathy can be said to be the most comprehensive way to treat all issues a person may experience when it comes to his or her health. The reason for this is the fact that unlike many other forms of medication which look to either just suppress the issue which is at hand or to direct the problem to be solved, homoeopathy is one of the few philosophies which is comprehensive enough to evaluate the entire body. This allows for a person to get better overall, rather than fire-fighting one health problem and soon finding himself or herself back at the doctor’s office in order to address the next one.

Finding cure in Homeopathy!
It is true that the common medicines which have a root in homoeopathy are made use of to treat Acromegaly. One of these happens to be pitu-gl while another is carcinosin. While the names may not be all that easy to pronounce, it can be said that the efficacy that these medicines have made them all the more worthwhile. These medicines have come as an answer to all the uncertainties and questions related to the treatment of acromegaly.

While it is true that Acromegaly can be a sticky condition to have to deal with but with homoeopathy, the improvement is almost at hand!

Hormones are vital for the human body. They are basically chemicals released into the bloodstream and travel from one cell to another. They travel through the blood and assist organs in performing numerous functions of the human body. Hormones are responsible for a wide range of activities like growth, puberty, facial hair, stress, mood, reproduction, sleep, reproduction and many more. They are also found in other organisms like plants and animals.

Hormones are secreted by endocrine glands. The endocrine glands include pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands. The study of the endocrine system and hormones is known as endocrinology. Also, some major diseases are caused by a hormone imbalance in the human body. The functions or activities of the body affected by hormone secretion are:

• Growth and development
• Metabolism
• Mood
• Sexual functions like menstruation, fertility, reproduction.
• Blood Sugar level

Some vital hormones affecting human health:

• Estrogen: Also known as the female hormone and responsible for a lot of functions and activities associated with a female body. They are secreted by ovaries and are primarily responsible for reproduction, menopause, puberty, moods and even sleep. High level of estrogen production is rare and mostly occurs because of oral contraceptives. Low level of estrogen is more common among girls and women alike. However, the most common disease experienced by females is PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Imbalance of hormones will mostly lead to hair loss, acne, depression and even osteoporosis. You can start by taking supplements like vitamin B complex and magnesium or sometimes even undergo hormonal treatment.
• Testosterone: It is the male sex hormone. However, they are present in low quantities in females too. The testosterone is responsible for muscle growth and developmental functions. They also control puberty in males, facial hair, libido, erectile functions and formation of sperm. Imbalance can lead to depression, mood swings, insomnia, erectile dysfunction and also acne and hair loss. Excessive secretion of testosterone in females leads to increased hair growth and deepening of the voice. Moreover, regular drinking and smoking may lead to decrease production of testosterone among males.
• Cortisol: It is one of the many hormones secreted by the adrenal glands. They are responsible for physical, stress regulation, maintenance of the immune system and inflammation, etc. High level of cortisol can lead to stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety and depression. Low level of cortisol may lead to chronic fatigue syndrome and even alcoholism.
• Insulin: It is one of the most important hormones in the human body and is produced by the pancreas. Insulin is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates in the body and maintaining blood sugar level. Its job is to use the sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates and convert it into energy. An imbalance of insulin leads to high blood sugar level (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia). Such imbalances can lead to diabetes in humans which vary depending on the blood sugar level of the body.
• Growth Hormones: They are secreted by the pituitary glands of the body. The hormones are responsible for growth and development in children and teenagers. They are also responsible for the proper functioning of the heart, muscle development, metabolism and many more. Imbalances can lead to stunted growth in children. Consult your doctor for ways to boost growth in your child.

Hormones play a major role in the human body. Their deficiency or imbalance can create serious health issues and disease for humans. So the next time you have difficulty in losing weight or suffering from depression, your hormones are equally responsible along with your genes.

A human body has a total of 206 bones, and yet it makes life a living hell, if even one of them is harmed. A person living with Osteoporosis feels the same way, except that they are a lot more prone to having their bones broken than a person who doesn’t. There are a variety of ways to go about treating the issue and one of them involves making use of parathyroid hormones. This is a pathbreaking cure for Osteoporosis and is being adopted by many patients worldwide.

If a person takes a look at the drugs which are made use of in the treatment of osteoporosis, he or she will release that their main function is not to repair what is damaged, but rather to slow the rate of further damage like Bisphosphonate.

However, if parathyroid hormones are looked at, it will be seen that they are usually recommended for those people who may even already had had fractures on account of osteoporosis. These people are generally said to have low bone density, which can be quite dangerous. The reason for this being the case is the fact that when parathyroid hormones are used, they have the potential and the ability to increase the rate of growth of the bones; in terms of the mineral density of the bones as well as the strength of the same.

Teriparatide comes in a pen-like device so that it can be introduced into the body by the way of an injection to either the thigh or the wall of the abdomen. It is important to keep in mind that the medicine should be handled with care which goes to mean that it is to be refrigerated at all times.

It is also to be kept in mind that the medicine can have certain side effects. In most cases in which side effects occur, the medicine leads to some dizziness or some leg cramps.

Taking into due account the fact that the drug is a new one, many doctors would not recommend it to people who have problems with their bones other than those which are caused by osteoporosis. Examples of such conditions would be hypercalcemia, which is a condition in which there is too much calcium in the blood or bone cancer. In addition to this, the medicine is not to be used by a person for a duration which is longer than two years.

All in all, it can be said that if a person makes use of parathyroid hormones to treat a problem that can be as bad as osteoporosis, the effects can be quite startling, and that too, in a positive way!

Does Hormonal Imbalance Hint the Risk of Diabetes?

Hormones are chemical substances that regulate a vast range of important functions in the body. They are secreted by various glands and organs and can affect important body functions like growth, immunity, blood pressure and glucose levels among several others. Several disorders can arise due to an imbalance of your hormones, particularly Diabetes.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, which is mostly chronic or long lasting in nature. It interferes with the body’s ability to use glucose and chiefly pertains to the hormone called insulin, although other hormones can also be related.

Any imbalance for the following hormones that can lead to diabetes:

1. Insulin

Insulin is a hormone, which is secreted by the pancreas. Diabetes can occur when this hormone is not secreted in adequate amounts or in when it is used inefficiently. During digestion, food gets broken down to glucose, which provides energy to the body. Insulin facilitates the function of moving the glucose from the bloodstream to the cells. In case of diabetes, the glucose remains in the bloodstream due to insulin issues.

2. Cortisol

The adrenal gland is responsible for producing the hormone cortisol, which regulates blood pressure, stress and glucose production. The production of cortisol is controlled by another hormone called ACTH, which is secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. Excess quantities of glucose in the body disrupt the function of insulin and trigger the liver to produce glucose, thereby leading to diabetes.

3. Growth hormone

The pituitary gland is responsible for producing certain hormones including the growth hormone. Growth and development of the muscles, bones and other organs of the body fall within the functions of the growth hormone. Overproduction of this hormone can lead to a disease called acromegaly in adults. Excess secretion leads to increase in the glucose levels in the blood, which can subsequently cause diabetes.

Thinning hair, noticeable bald spots, large clumps of hair in the hairbrush or shower drain are indications of hair loss. This loss of hair is an effect of hormonal imbalance.

Have You Seen these Signs of Hair Loss?

• A widening part of the scalp
• A ponytail becomes noticeably thinner
• Large clumps of hair in the hairbrush or shower drain and on your pillow after a night’s sleep

Why does it happen?

1. Play of Hormones: Hormonal imbalance is seen in women during menopause, perimenopause, pregnancy, and in endocrine disorders, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Progesterone and estrogen are two important female hormones. Progesterone keeps a check on estrogen levels. When progesterone levels are too low, it leads to a state of hyperestrogenism which triggers excessive hair shedding and hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a potent form of testosterone that normally leads to hair loss. Women, who produce high levels of male hormones (androgens), have increased testosterone levels which can convert to DHT, leading to hair loss.
2. Stress: When a woman experiences any stressful condition, her adrenal glands increase the release of cortisol (stress hormone). This leads to secretion of adrenaline which leads to increased levels of testosterone and DHT.
3. Under or over performing thyroid: An overactive thyroid and lack of sufficient parathyroid hormone can also result in thinning of hair. Accompanying symptoms are fatigue, unexplained weight gain, aching joints, constipation, dry skin, feeling cold all the time, and poor sleep.
4. Pregnancy and childbirth: Pregnancy and childbirth change a woman’s hormonal balance and can result in hair loss. Therefore, it is normal for postpartum mothers to experience thinning of the hair and even bald patches. Such hair loss is temporary and heals itself within several months.
5. Menopause: Menopause also leads to hair loss. During menopause, a woman’s estrogen levels fall and are no longer in balance with DHT levels. This low estrogen level and high DHT lead to hair loss.
6. Nutrient deficiencies: Low levels of certain nutrients within the body, for example, vitamins A, E, and iron may result in hair loss.

How Can You Help Yourself? 

1. Consume omega 3-fatty acids: Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are kinds of essential fatty acids (EFAs). They increase hair growth. Sources are walnuts, flax seeds, cold-water fish, such as salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel.
2. Get plenty of sleep: Lack of sleep causes increased stress levels, higher production of cortisol, and ultimately hair loss. Good amount of sleep will lead to harmonious functioning of the body.
3. Take dietary and hair supplements to prevent hair loss: Certain supplements can help minimize the production of DHT, prevent DHT from binding to hair follicles, or stimulate inactive follicles to encourage hair growth.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

A human body has a total of 206 bones, and yet it makes life a living hell, if even one of them is harmed. A person living with Osteoporosis feels the same way, except that they are a lot more prone to having their bones broken than a person who doesn’t. There are a variety of ways to go about treating the issue and one of them involves making use of parathyroid hormones. This is a pathbreaking cure for Osteoporosis and is being adopted by many patients worldwide.

If a person takes a look at the drugs which are made use of in the treatment of osteoporosis, he or she will release that their main function is not to repair what is damaged, but rather to slow the rate of further damage like Bisphosphonate.

However, if parathyroid hormones are looked at, it will be seen that they are usually recommended for those people who may even already had had fractures on account of osteoporosis. These people are generally said to have low bone density, which can be quite dangerous. The reason for this being the case is the fact that when parathyroid hormones are used, they have the potential and the ability to increase the rate of growth of the bones; in terms of the mineral density of the bones as well as the strength of the same.

Teriparatide comes in a pen-like device so that it can be introduced into the body by the way of an injection to either the thigh or the wall of the abdomen. It is important to keep in mind that the medicine should be handled with care which goes to mean that it is to be refrigerated at all times.

It is also to be kept in mind that the medicine can have certain side effects. In most cases in which side effects occur, the medicine leads to some dizziness or some leg cramps.

Taking into due account the fact that the drug is a new one, many doctors would not recommend it to people who have problems with their bones other than those which are caused by osteoporosis. Examples of such conditions would be hypercalcemia, which is a condition in which there is too much calcium in the blood or bone cancer. In addition to this, the medicine is not to be used by a person for a duration which is longer than two years.

All in all, it can be said that if a person makes use of parathyroid hormones to treat a problem that can be as bad as osteoporosis, the effects can be quite startling, and that too, in a positive way!

A human body has a total of 206 bones, and yet it makes life a living hell, if even one of them is harmed. A person living with Osteoporosis feels the same way, except that they are a lot more prone to having their bones broken than a person who doesn’t. There are a variety of ways to go about treating the issue and one of them involves making use of parathyroid hormones. This is a pathbreaking cure for Osteoporosis and is being adopted by many patients worldwide.

If a person takes a look at the drugs which are made use of in the treatment of osteoporosis, he or she will release that their main function is not to repair what is damaged, but rather to slow the rate of further damage like Bisphosphonate.

However, if parathyroid hormones are looked at, it will be seen that they are usually recommended for those people who may even already had had fractures on account of osteoporosis. These people are generally said to have low bone density, which can be quite dangerous. The reason for this being the case is the fact that when parathyroid hormones are used, they have the potential and the ability to increase the rate of growth of the bones; in terms of the mineral density of the bones as well as the strength of the same.

Teriparatide comes in a pen-like device so that it can be introduced into the body by the way of an injection to either the thigh or the wall of the abdomen. It is important to keep in mind that the medicine should be handled with care which goes to mean that it is to be refrigerated at all times.

It is also to be kept in mind that the medicine can have certain side effects. In most cases in which side effects occur, the medicine leads to some dizziness or some leg cramps.

Taking into due account the fact that the drug is a new one, many doctors would not recommend it to people who have problems with their bones other than those which are caused by osteoporosis. Examples of such conditions would be hypercalcemia, which is a condition in which there is too much calcium in the blood or bone cancer. In addition to this, the medicine is not to be used by a person for a duration which is longer than two years.

All in all, it can be said that if a person makes use of parathyroid hormones to treat a problem that can be as bad as osteoporosis, the effects can be quite startling, and that too, in a positive way! If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an orthopedist.