Human Growth Hormone (Somatotropin) Danielle Compton

Production Location Anterior lobe of the Pituitary gland

Target Cells Affects all cells of the body

Production Hypothalamus releases Human Growth Releasing Hormone stimulating the pituitary gland to release the HGH.

When is it active? Most active in childhood and young adulthood

Structure Protein

Entrance Bond to receptors on cell membranes and catalyzes change in cell

How much? Amount in blood changes throughout life, typically as a child 0-20 ng/Ml, women should have less than 10 ng/Ml, and men should have less than 5 ng/Ml.

What does it do? Stimulates cell growth and reproduction causing growth.

Deficiency In Children: Shorter than typical people their age, rounder faces, rounder stomachs, “baby fat,” known as pituitary dwarfism. In Adults: Higher level of body fat, anxiety and depression, fatigue, sensitivity to heat and cold, less muscle, decreased stamina, reduced bone density,

Treatment of Pituitary Dwarfism If recognized early enough, the child begins Hormone Therapy Treatment, supplying the hormone they are currently lacking. If the growth plates on the bone have fused already, its too late.

Over-Abundance In Children: Gigantism occurs, over abundance in childhood and adolescence causes excess bone growth. Most often occurs due to a tumor on the pituitary gland In Adults: Acromegaly occurs, increases mass of bones, disfiguring the body, mainly the face

Treatment of Gigantism Surgery to remove any possible tumors on the pituitary gland. Chemotherapy is then used to reduce any remaining tumor pieces. Drug Therapy is then used to control the production of more human growth hormone until the body itself is able to control it.

Synthetic HGH Can be synthetically replaced and often is. Found in many prescription medications, but pure HGH is not often prescribed except for extreme situations. Many people have begun using fake HGH as a weight loss tool.