Growth hormones

Other names: human growth hormone, somatotropin

What are Growth hormones?

Growth hormones are hormones that stimulate growth and cell reproduction and regeneration. They are released naturally by the anterior pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland located at the base of the skull. Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is more likely to affect children rather than adults and is a symptom of several genetic diseases such as Prader-Willi syndrome and Turner Syndrome. GHD is also more likely in children with cleft lips or palates. Infection, head injuries, and radiation treatment may lead to acquired GHD. Naturally occurring growth hormone is also known as somatotropin.

A synthetic version of growth hormone, somatropin, is used to treat disorders of growth hormone production or deficiency. Symptoms in children include failure to meet height and weight growth standards.

The main hormones concerned with growth are pituitary growth hormone, thyroid hormone, the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen, and the pituitary gonadotropic (sex-gland-stimulating) hormones.

The pituitary gland is a structure in our brain that produces different types of specialised hormones, including growth hormone (also referred to as human growth hormone or HGH). The roles of growth hormone include influencing our height, and helping build our bones and muscles.