Why does adult GH deficiency occur?
- Secondary to pituitary tumor
- Any pathology surrounding Pituitary gland
- Effects of surgery or radiotherapy to pituitary
How frequent is it?
One in 10,000 people are affected
Who should be tested?
1. Patients with hypothalamo-pituitary diseases.
2. Childhood onset GH deficiency.
3. Undergone cranial irradiation
How is it diagnosed?
- Single GH values are non-conclusive
- Single GH values are non-conclusive
What are the benefits?
1. Improve quality of life & psychological well being – most important effect noticed.
2. Improve exercise capacity
3. Prolonged treatment with GH > 24 months has shown to increase BMD
4. Reduction in cholesterol (approx 15%)
5. Improved ventricular function & left ventricular mass.
This article is prepared along with Dr Menaka