HGH Deficiency in Adults – What You Should Know
Adult-onset HGH deficiency is a medical condition identifiable by numerous symptoms. Diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) requires comprehensive blood testing and physical examination. A doctor specializing in hormonal imbalances in adults is the best provider to contact for diagnosis and treatment of AGHD.
What is HGH deficiency and how do I know if I have it?
Human growth hormone deficiency occurs when the pituitary gland (somatotropic cells in the anterior portion, to be exact) reduces production of the chemical also known as somatotropin (HGH).
Although always present in the body, somatotropin secretion begins to decline by the time most adults reach their thirties. Proper sleep, exercise, nutrition, and keeping stress at bay can slow the decrease. Lack of sleep, a sedentary lifestyle, poor dietary habits, and lots of stress can increase the rate HGH production declines.
You cannot know that you have HGH deficiency without undergoing specific blood tests to measure your hormone levels. Symptoms alone do not provide a diagnosis, but they do allow the hormone specialist to determine if testing is necessary. There is no cause for concern about AGHD if you do not have any symptoms of this decline. Lower growth hormone levels are only a problem if and when they begin to interfere in some aspect of your life.
What Happens When Adults Get HGH Deficiency?
HGH deficiency in adults can cause symptoms that range from mild to debilitating. At first, the early warning signs of low growth hormone levels can be bothersome. You may forget where you placed your keys or see a few crow’s lines around your eyes. Weight gain, low libido, thinning hair, and frequently getting sick may be leading to feelings of depression. If left undiagnosed and untreated, growth hormone deficiency effects can worsen and lead to potentially dangerous health conditions.
The following medical issues have ties to low HGH levels:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Dementia
- Osteoporosis
- Osteopenia
- Atherosclerosis
- High blood pressure
Adults who suffer from HGH deficiency may experience any of the following symptoms:
- Lack of energy ranging from mild lethargy to overwhelming fatigue
- Thinning of the skin, wrinkles, sagging, cellulite, and age spots
- Sluggish metabolism and weight gain, especially abdominal fat
- Loss of bone density, muscle mass, and strength
- Bodily stiffness, loss of flexibility, and joint pains
- Hair color turning to gray, hair loss or thinning
- Trouble seeing clearly at night and in general
- Increased sensitivity to changes in climate from hot to cold
- Brittle nails that chip or break
- Moody, irritable, depressed, anxious, or stressed feelings
- Inability to concentrate, memory issues, impaired cognitive processing
- Frequent illness or taking too long to recuperate
- Slow-healing cuts and injuries
- Reduced or absent sex drive
- Impaired sexual functions (vaginal dryness in women and erectile dysfunction in men)
- Lack of drive and motivation resulting in decreased productivity
These symptoms can interfere with personal relationships, workplace performance, health, emotional well-being, and appearance.
What Causes Adult HGH Deficiency?
It may seem as though all adults should suffer from HGH deficiency since the decline in growth hormone production is a natural occurrence. However, just as with other hormone levels that decline as you age, such as progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone, the body should adjust naturally to these changes.
Unfortunately, as we have seen with menopause and andropause symptoms, that is not always the case. Today, aging is often the most common cause of HGH deficiency. Adults whose bodies do not adjust or those whose levels drop too fast can suffer from AGHD.
Other causes of growth hormone deficiency in adults include:
- Severe or permanent damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, often resulting from a head injury that could occur in childhood or adulthood
- Tumors to either of those glands or the medical procedures (surgery or radiation) to treat the tumor
- Some medical conditions present at birth (congenital) and diagnosed during childhood could continue to create low HGH levels during adulthood
Where Do I Find a Doctor to Treat HGH Deficiency?
There is nothing more important than finding the right growth hormone deficiency doctor before starting treatment. You can ask around to friends or family that you know have received HGH replacement. If you are unsure of anyone in that category, the next step would be either doing online research or asking your family physician.
Some people do not want to discuss this with their primary provider because they are embarrassed by their symptoms, or they have had their concerns brushed aside in the past. Many doctors know little if anything about AGHD, and, therefore, may not be able to discuss this subject in a well-informed manner. The last thing we want to see is your doctor running a lot of useless tests that will only cost you money and not provide an accurate diagnosis.
To save yourself unnecessary time and money, turn to a legitimate hormone clinic such as ours to get testing and treatment for HGH deficiency. Our medical advisors and doctors recognize the signs of hormonal imbalance from your description of symptoms. We can arrange for the necessary blood tests that will determine if hormonal changes are the cause of your concerns. If so, we can provide the necessary treatment to get you back on track and enjoying your life once again.
Please contact us by completing the above form or calling for your free and confidential consultation.