The pituitary gland secretes several chemical compounds that regulate the activity of endocrine glands, metabolism and the development of the body. One of these hormones is somatotropin (somatropin). Its concentration is of particular importance for children, adolescents, women and athletes.
What is the hormone responsible for?
At a young age (up to 20 years), the described chemical compound is released in an increased amount. It is necessary for the normal development of long tubular bones, so this substance is also called growth hormone growth hormone. After 20 years, when the musculoskeletal system is almost formed, its production is significantly reduced. The growth hormone (STH) produces other effects:
- activates and supports T-cell immunity;
- intensifies sweating;
- increases elasticity of ligaments;
- slows down the aging process;
- improves digestibility of calcium in the intestine.
Effect of growth hormone on metabolism
Athletes are attentive to STG because of its ability to accelerate the burning of fat reserves and build muscle. Growth hormone is produced by cells of adenohypophysis (somatotrophs), in terms of molecular structure is similar to prolactin and placental lactogen. For this reason, women should also control the concentration of STH. He improves the silhouette, provides support to the ligaments in the area of the mammary glands, helps to maintain youth and a fit body.
The action of a somatotropic hormone on metabolic processes:
- enhancing protein synthesis and slowing their decay;
- an obstacle to the deposition of adipose tissue;
- increased blood glucose levels ;
- reduction of excretion of sodium and potassium from the body.
Assay for growth hormone
To correctly determine the concentration of the substance in question, it is necessary to perform a laboratory study of venous blood. How correctly to hand over a biological liquid on a somatotropic hormone of a pituitary body:
- The day before the analysis, delete all fatty foods from the menu.
- In consultation with the doctor, stop taking medication 24 hours before going to the laboratory.
- On the eve of the study, avoid emotional and physical overload. The growth hormone rises strongly after any stress.
- 12 hours before blood donation, do not eat, so it's better to do the analysis in the morning.
- Do not smoke 3 hours before the test.
STG is subject to fluctuations during the day, it changes against the background of concentration of other hormones and even mood. It is advisable to donate blood several times and calculate the average value of the results. The normal content of somatotropin depends on the sex:
- women - up to 8-10 ng / ml;
- men - up to 2-3 ng / ml.
Growth hormone is the norm in children
The amount of substance described in the child's blood corresponds to his age, the maximum values are observed during puberty. Growth hormone is the norm by age:
- up to 3 years - 0.43-3.03 ng / ml for boys, 0.37-2.07 ng / ml for girls;
- 3-6 years - 0,1-1,9 ng / ml for boys, 0,07-2,17 ng / ml for girls;
- 6-9 years - 0.13-4.67 ng / ml for boys, 0.13-2.77 ng / ml for girls;
- from 9 to 10 years - 0.07-0.27 ng / ml for boys, 0.07-1.7 ng / ml for girls;
- 10-11 years - 0.1-5.97 ng / ml for boys, 0.07-4.07 ng / ml for girls;
- 11-12 years - 0.13-9.7 ng / ml for boys, 0.1-7.7 ng / ml for girls;
- 12-13 years - 0.17-15.43 ng / ml for boys, 0.1-6.83 ng / ml for girls;
- 13-14 years - 0,13-8,57 ng / ml for boys, 0,1-6,17 ng / ml for girls;
- 14-15 years - 0.2-8.67 ng / ml for boys, 0.1-6.77 ng / ml for girls;
- 15-16 years - 0.23-10.13 ng / ml for boys, 0.07-9.87 ng / ml for girls;
- 16-17 years - 0.27-9.37 ng / ml for boys, 0.2-10.57 ng / ml for girls;
- 17-19 years - 0,23,73 ng / ml for boys, 0,83-4,07 ng / ml for girls.
Growth hormone raised
Excessive concentration of STH causes serious and life-threatening pathologies. If the somatotropic hormone is increased in children, gigantism develops. The growth of the child is accelerated and significantly different from the peer indicators. Similarly, the internal organs increase in size. With age, excessive somatotropic hormone leads to acromegaly and its attendant diseases and symptoms:
- thickening and thickening of the skin;
- excessive hairiness;
- severe sweating;
- increased fat content of the epithelium;
- excess cholesterol and arteriosclerosis of blood vessels;
- diabetes mellitus ;
- deficiency of calcium in the body;
- pathology of the nervous system;
- enlargement of facial features and body parts;
- migraine;
- decreased visual acuity;
- epilepsy ;
- gynecomastia;
- impaired smell;
- fluctuations of the menstrual cycle;
- apnea;
- sexual dysfunction;
- changes in appetite and quality of sleep.
Why is growth hormone increased?
The main cause of the described problem is a tumor of the pituitary gland, therefore endocrinologists in diagnosis are advised to first make a magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Sometimes STH increases due to genetic abnormalities:
- McCune-Albright Syndrome;
- complex of Carney;
- Vermeer's syndrome;
- isolated family acromegaly.
If the growth hormone is elevated in a child, the cause may be temporary factors:
- the predominance of protein in the diet;
- intensive physical activity;
- starvation;
- excessive sleep;
- a decrease in the concentration of sugar in the blood;
- pathology of absorption of nutrients in the intestine;
- stress.
How to lower the growth hormone?
At the initial stages of the problem without complications, special medication is prescribed. An effective way to lower the growth hormone is to take or administer drugs that suppress the pituitary and release the STG. Most of these drugs are based on somatostatin. It is a hormone that produces the hypothalamus. It reduces the secretion of the described chemical compound and helps to normalize its concentration in the blood.
When a raised growth hormone in a child or adult is a consequence of the growth of a tumor in the brain , more radical therapy may be recommended:
- Surgical treatment . During the operation, the tumor is completely or partially removed, sometimes - with a small area of the pituitary gland.
- Irradiation. Used in special cases if surgical intervention is unacceptable.
Growth hormone lowered
The lack of this substance is also fraught with problems, but less serious than its excess. Deficiency of growth hormone in adults provokes:
- muscle weakness;
- obesity;
- apathy;
- acceleration of aging;
- chronic cardiovascular diseases;
- decreased libido;
- depression;
- muscle hypotrophy;
- atherosclerosis.
Growth hormone lowered in children (pituitary nanism) leads to delays in physical development:
- low growth;
- small features;
- reduced feet and hands;
- pale skin;
- a thin voice;
- absence of secondary sexual characteristics of libido in adolescence;
- late onset of menstruation;
- undeveloped musculature.
Why is a growth hormone lowered?
Pituitary nanism can be congenital and acquired. More often the considered pathology is explained by genetics, especially if the growth hormone is lowered in a child from infancy. Another factor is identical to the situation with an excess of STH. The fluctuations in its concentration are caused by the growth of neoplasms in the pituitary region. Reduced growth hormone in adults is diagnosed for the following reasons:
- previous surgical interventions on the brain;
- head irradiation;
- severe infectious diseases;
- craniocerebral trauma;
- endocrine imbalance.
How to increase growth hormone?
To properly solve the problem described, it is important to establish what caused it. If the increase in growth hormone is due to the presence of a benign tumor in the pituitary gland, its surgical removal will be required. In other cases, the normalization of the concentration of the chemical is carried out by conservative methods. Medication can quickly and permanently stabilize growth hormone, drugs that use for this:
- Somatropin;
- The biosome;
- Rastan;
- Genotropin;
- Humatrop;
- Norditropin and analogues.
In the treatment of children additionally used other hormones necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and puberty:
- estrogens;
- testosterone;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- progesterone;
- Thyroid regulators.