Treatment with growth hormone, also known by the acronym GH or as somatotropin, is indicated for boys and girls who are deficient in this hormone, which causes growth retardation. Growth hormone is normally already naturally present in people's bodies, being produced in the brain by the pituitary gland, located at the base of the skull, and is essential for the child's growth, so that it reaches the usual height of an adult.
This treatment is indicated by the endocrinologist and can only be done with daily injections, for the time determined by the doctor, because if the hormone was ingested in the form of a tablet, it would be inactivated in the stomach.
In addition, as this hormone is known to promote weight loss, reduce the aging process and increase lean mass, some adults have sought the use of this hormone for aesthetic reasons, however, this medication is contraindicated for these purposes, as it is not safe for health, and there is no scientific evidence.
When is indicated
Treatment with growth hormone is indicated in cases where the pediatrician detects that the child does not have adequate growth and is below what is considered normal, due to deficient production of the hormone.
In addition, it can also be indicated for growth disorders caused by:
- Turner syndrome; Prader-Willi syndrome; Chronic renal failure.
The first signs that the child is not growing enough are more easily identified from the age of two, and it can be observed that the child is always the smallest in the class or that it takes longer to change clothes and shoes, for example. Know what it is and how to identify stunted growth.
How is done
The treatment with growth hormone is indicated by the endocrinologist, in treatments by SUS or private, being a medicine bought only with a prescription. It is done with injections, subcutaneously, in the fat layer of the skin of the arms, thighs, buttocks or abdomen, at night, or according to each case.
The treatment is usually done until the adolescent reaches bone maturity, which is when the cartilages of the long bones close, because when this happens there is no longer any possibility of growing, even taking the GH. Also check out how to calculate your child's height and tips for your child to be taller.
However, some adults with a deficiency of this hormone may continue taking, according to the endocrinologist's indication, because it has some benefits, such as improving physical capacity and improving the conditions of bones and muscles. Because of these benefits, some people use the growth hormone in a wrong way to treat obesity, being advised against contraindicated for these purposes because it is not considered safe, since it can cause several side effects.
Possible side effects
When properly indicated by the doctor, growth hormone is usually well tolerated and rarely causes side effects. Some that may arise are reactions at the application site and, very rarely, a syndrome of intracranial hypertension, which progresses with headache, seizures, muscle pain and visual changes.
In adults, GH can cause fluid retention, causing swelling, pain in muscles and joints and carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes tingling.
Who should not use
GH should not be used in people with malignant or brain tumors, decompensated diabetes, who are seriously ill or who have undergone major surgery.
