Treatment with GH (growth hormone): how to do it and when it is indicated

Growth hormone treatment, also known as GH or somatotropin, is indicated in children with hormone deficiency, causing stunted growth. This treatment should be indicated by the endocrinologist according to the characteristics of the child, and injections are usually indicated daily.

Growth hormone is naturally present in the body, produced in the brain by the pituitary gland at the base of the skull, and is essential for the growth of the child, so that it reaches the usual size of an adult.

  • In addition.
  • As this hormone is known to promote weight loss.
  • Reduce the aging process and increase lean mass.
  • Some adults have sought to use this hormone for aesthetic reasons.
  • However.
  • This drug is contracted for these purposes because it is not safe for health.
  • And there is no scientific evidence.

Treatment with growth hormone is indicated by the endocrinologist and is performed by injections, subcutaneously, into the oily layer of the skin of the arms, thighs, buttocks or abdomen at night, or on a case-by-case basis.

In most cases, it is recommended to inject once a day until the teen reaches bone maturity, that is, when the cartilage of the long bones is closed, because when this happens, there is no longer a possibility of growth, even taking GH.

However, some adults with this hormonal deficiency may still take it, as indicated by the endocrinologist, as it has certain benefits, such as improving physical capacity and improving bone and muscle status. Because of these benefits, some people use growth hormone incorrectly to treat obesity, so gh is contraindicated for these purposes as it may be associated with various side effects.

In addition, GH TREATMENT should not be performed in people who have malignancies or brain tumors, decompensated diabetes, debilitating diseases or who have undergone major surgery, for example.

When properly indicated by your doctor, growth hormone is generally well tolerated and rarely causes side effects. However, in some cases, there may be a reaction at the application site and, very rarely, intracranial hypertension syndrome, which causes headaches, seizures, muscle aches and visual disturbances.

In adults, GH can cause water retention, causing swelling, muscle and joint pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes tingling.

Growth hormone treatment is indicated in cases where the pediatrician detects that the child is not properly growing and is below normal due to poor hormone production.

In addition, treatment with this hormone may also be indicated in cases of genetic changes such as Turner syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome, for example.

The first signs that the child is not growing enough are more easily identified from the age of two, and it is clear that the child remains the smallest in the class or that it takes the longest to change clothes and shoes, for example. Know what it is and how to identify stunting.

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