Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency
Growth hormone (GH) is a hormone (special type of protein) made in the brain by
the pituitary gland, and it is responsible for more than just physical growth—it
helps our muscles, bones, even our metabolism. While growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
in children can result in lack of growth, adults can also suffer from a lack of
GH that affects their bodies in other ways.
GHD can occur at any age, when the pituitary gland doesn't produce enough GH. If
your doctor has given you or someone you care for a diagnosis of adult GHD, you
can take comfort knowing that this medical condition is treatable.
Causes of Adult GHD
About 35,000 adults in the United States have GHD, with about 6000 new patients
diagnosed every year.
There are 2 main causes of adult GHD:
- A person may have been born with GHD. In most of these cases they are usually diagnosed
as children and a number of the more severe cases will need treatment throughout
their life. However, some children are never diagnosed and end up as adults just
finding out they have GHD.
- An adult may also become GH deficient due to damage to their pituitary or hypothalamus
gland. The damage may be caused by tumors of these glands, surgery or radiation
treatment to remove these tumors, or even severe head injury.
In 90% of adults, GHD is a result of benign (non-cancerous) tumors called pituitary
adenomas, commonly diagnosed in patients in their 30s or 40s. Rare causes of adult
GHD include diseases such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, histiocytosis and hemochromatosis
(iron overload).
Most children with GHD present with obvious symptoms, such as short stature. But
because adults have already reached their full height, the symptoms of adult GHD
are different. GH plays a role in bone development, muscle development, and fat
and weight gain.
Diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adulthood
Some symptoms of adult GHD can be caused by other conditions. This can make GHD
difficult to diagnose. However, if there is a history of childhood GHD or if you
have a history of pituitary damage and are just noticing some of these signs and symptoms,
you should ask your doctor about adult GHD.
- Increased fat, especially around the waist and in the face
- Decreased muscle mass
- Thinning bones
- Higher cholesterol, especially LDL
(the "bad" cholesterol)
If your doctor suspects the possibility of adult GHD, he or she may refer you to
an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in hormone disorders.
In order for the endocrinologist to confirm you have adult GHD, they may order a
stimulation test or "stim" test. During this test, a patient is given a medication
that causes the pituitary gland to release large amounts of growth hormone at once.
Several blood samples are taken over a period of time, measuring the amount of growth
hormone in the body. Your endocrinologist may need to do more than one stim test
to accurately diagnose GHD.
Getting Help With Norditropin®
People with adult GHD who have been prescribed growth hormone replacement therapy
may feel overwhelmed at first. Novo Nordisk devices and patient support services
can help you throughout GH therapy.
Norditropin® is a form of growth hormone that's made in a lab but is identical
to the GH your body would naturally make. It comes in the FlexPro® pen, an injection
delivery device that can help make taking GH easier because:
- All Norditropin® FlexPro® pens are pre-mixed and pre-loaded.
- Unlike a lot of other growth hormone devices, some FlexPro® pens do not need
to be kept in a refrigerator after their first use, so patients can travel easily.*
- NovoFine® needles are some of the smallest needles available.** The NovoFine® Autocover®
30G has a protective outer shield that hides the needle before, during and after
the injection. This shield also locks into place after the injection to help reduce
needlestick injuries. And it uses the 8-mm NovoFine® 30G needle, which 90% of patients
surveyed found practically pain-free.
If you have questions about growth hormone, be sure to write them down so you can
discuss them with your endocrinologist. He or she will be your best source of information
and will help guide you in making the best decisions for your treatment. You may
also find helpful information in the FAQ section of our web site.
*All Norditropin® products must be refrigerated prior to first use. Do not freeze.
After initial use, FlexPro® 5 mg/1.5 mL and 10 mg/1.5 mL delivery pens can either
be stored outside of the refrigerator (at up to 77°F) for use within 3 weeks, or
in the refrigerator (between 36°F and 46°F) for use within 4 weeks. The FlexPro®
15 mg/1.5 mL and NordiFlex® 30 mg/3 mL delivery pens must always be refrigerated
(between 36°F and 46°F)—both prior to and after the initial injection—for use within
4 weeks.
**Needles are sold separately and may require a prescription in some states.
Support for Patients on Norditropin®
In addition to the growth hormone therapy, Novo Nordisk also offers NordiCare®,
a free support service for Norditropin® patients. NordiCare® is there to
help with issues that could prevent a patient receiving treatment, such as:
- Insurance problems or paying for Norditropin®
- Getting started on therapy
- Staying on treatment through unforeseen events, such as moving or changing insurance
providers
With NordiCare®, each patient receives their own personal case manager, dedicated
to handling their needs. You can call your case manager at any time during your
treatment for answers and assistance. To learn more about NordiCare®,
click here.
Questions for Your Doctor
When growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is first diagnosed, you'll have a lot of questions,
and you may be able to find information from various sources, including the Internet.
Remember that your GHD treatment will be specifically tailored to you and your medical
history, so the best source of information will be your doctor.
Click here to print this list
To begin talking with your doctor about growth hormone therapy, we've provided a
list of topics to discuss during your first few visits.
- What is growth hormone?
- Is growth hormone therapy safe?
- How does growth hormone work?
- How do I know if I need growth hormone?
- Are there any side effects involved with growth hormone therapy?
- How is growth hormone given? How often?
- Does the injection hurt?
- I don't like needles; what can I do?
- Why does growth hormone have to be given by injection?
- Where on my body do I inject growth hormone?
- What if I miss a dose?
- What if I inject too much?
- How long before growth hormone therapy starts to make a difference in the symptoms?
- How do I store my growth hormone medicine?
- Can I travel with my growth hormone medicine?
