The Liv Hospital Medical Writer Team creates evidence-based health content.
View author profile →Overview
What Is Growth Hormone Deficiency?
Growth hormone deficiency occurs when the pituitary gland does not make enough growth hormone. Growth hormone helps regulate height in children and also supports muscle, bone, and body processes in adults. A deficiency may be present from birth or develop later because of a condition affecting the brain or pituitary gland. The effects can differ depending on a person’s age, cause, and overall health.
Symptoms
Growth Hormone Deficiency Symptoms
Childhood symptoms
- Slower-than-expected growth
- Shorter height than peers
- Delayed puberty
- Increased body fat
- Younger-looking facial appearance
Adult symptoms
- Reduced energy
- Decreased muscle mass
- Increased body fat
- Reduced bone density
- Changes in mood
- Difficulty with concentration
Causes
Causes of Growth Hormone Deficiency
Growth hormone deficiency may be congenital, meaning it is present from birth, or acquired later in life. Abnormalities in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland can reduce the release of growth hormone. Possible causes include genetic conditions, brain tumors, head injury, radiation, infection, and other pituitary hormone problems. In some children, no clear cause can be identified.
Present from childhood
Genetic or developmental conditions may affect the hypothalamus or pituitary gland and limit growth hormone release during childhood. Some childhood cases are not linked to an identifiable cause.
Develops later
Acquired deficiency can follow a tumor, brain or pituitary surgery, radiation, head injury, infection, or another condition affecting these areas.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors for Growth Hormone Deficiency
- Family history or genetic conditions
- Congenital abnormalities of the brain or pituitary gland
- Pituitary tumors or other pituitary disorders
- Head injury
- Brain infection
- Brain surgery
- Radiation involving the brain or pituitary gland
Complications
Complications of Growth Hormone Deficiency
- Impaired height gain in children
- Delayed puberty
- Reduced bone density
- Unfavorable body composition
- Reduced muscle mass
- Effects on cardiovascular health
- Effects on metabolic health
Risks vary according to age, cause, severity, and how long the hormone deficiency continues. Appropriate endocrine care can address hormone replacement and monitor bone, metabolic, cardiovascular, and reproductive health needs.
Diagnosis
How Is Growth Hormone Deficiency Diagnosed?
Clinicians review height and growth velocity over time, family growth patterns, puberty, medical history, physical findings, and other pituitary hormones. This information helps determine whether targeted testing is needed and whether another condition could explain the growth pattern.
| Test or assessment | What it evaluates | How it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Growth-chart review | Height and growth velocity over time | Shows whether growth is consistently slower than expected |
| Blood tests | Related hormones and growth markers | Looks for supportive findings and other causes of poor growth |
| Growth hormone stimulation test | The pituitary's ability to release growth hormone | Measures hormone response after stimulating medicines |
| Bone-age X-ray | Skeletal maturation | Helps assess delayed bone development |
| Pituitary MRI | Pituitary and nearby brain structures | Looks for structural causes when clinically indicated |
Treatment & Management
Treatment and Management
Prescribed recombinant human growth hormone is the main treatment for confirmed growth hormone deficiency. It is usually given by injection on a regular schedule, with the dose and treatment duration individualized by an endocrinologist. Growth hormone therapy may support growth in children and address some effects of deficiency in adults when clinically appropriate.
When treatment starts and how long it lasts
The timing and length of treatment depend on age, the cause of the deficiency, remaining growth potential, treatment goals, and whether the deficiency persists into adulthood. Care is monitored through growth measurements, symptoms, laboratory tests, and, when relevant, bone health or puberty assessments. Clinicians also evaluate and treat the underlying cause. Growth hormone is not appropriate for every child or adult with short stature.
Outlook and Prognosis
Outlook and Prognosis
Outcomes vary according to the cause, age at diagnosis, treatment timing, adherence, remaining growth potential, and other pituitary hormone problems. Many children improve their growth pattern with appropriate treatment, but the response differs from person to person.
- Treatment response is monitored over time
- Adult height cannot be guaranteed
- Some people need lifelong endocrine follow-up
- Underlying brain or pituitary conditions may require separate care
When Should You See a Doctor
When Should You See a Doctor?
When to get help
Concerning growth changes
Arrange a medical visit for persistently slow growth, falling across growth-chart percentiles, delayed puberty, or symptoms that may suggest pituitary disease. Seek urgent care for severe headache, vision changes, vomiting, or sudden neurologic symptoms, especially in someone receiving growth hormone.
Bring prior height measurements, growth charts if available, family growth and puberty history, and a list of medicines or growth hormone injections. Write down questions about testing, treatment, possible growth hormone side effects, and follow-up so you can discuss them with the clinician.
