Somatotropic hormone how to take an analysis. STH is the somatotropic hormone of the pituitary gland. What does preparation include
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In the human brain is located the central link of the endocrine system - the hypothalamic-pituitary region. The cells of this zone produce signal substances that regulate the activity of the endocrine glands. Also, their hormones affect the growth and development of the body, metabolism, sexual behavior. Tropins belong to the group of signaling substances of the pituitary gland.
Tropic functions of the pituitary gland
Pathways are developed on the principle of feedback. These substances are sensitive to small changes in metabolism or the interconnected endocrine gland.
Tropins include 8 main hormones:
- thyrotropic (TSH);
- adrenocorticotropic (ACTH);
- folliculotropin (FSH);
- luteotropin (LH);
- prolactin;
- lipotropic;
- melanocyte-stimulating;
- somatotropic hormone (GH, growth hormone).
The structure and secretion of growth hormone
STH is secreted into the blood by somatotrophs of the adenohypophysis. These cells are actively influenced by biologically active substances of the hypothalamus (somatostatin and somatoliberin). The hormone is released into the blood in impulses. The severity of the peaks is greater in childhood and young age.
The maximum amplitude of impulses is fixed in the fourth phase of sleep. After 20 years, the concentration of growth hormone in the blood decreases sharply. In addition, inhibits the secretion of growth hormone and carbohydrate foods.
Contribute to an increase in the concentration of growth hormone:
- starvation;
- physical work;
- drop in blood sugar levels;
- protein diet.
By structure, somatotropic hormone is part of the peptide family. Prolactin and one of the pregnancy hormones (placental lactogen) have the closest chemical structure to it. The main form of growth hormone has 191 amino acids. The molecular weight of this compound is 22124 Da. The genes encoding the synthesis of growth hormone are found on chromosome 17.
Growth hormone is normal in men - up to 2 ng / ml, in women - up to 10 ng / ml.
Effects of growth hormone
STH is the main biologically active substance responsible for the growth of the body. In adulthood, growth hormone supports the metabolism and functions of the central nervous system.
STG effects:
- stimulation of body growth in length (if growth zones are not closed);
- increased protein synthesis;
- reduces the excretion of sodium and potassium;
- enhances calcium absorption in the intestine;
- increases the formation of blood glucose;
- promotes the breakdown of lipids in adipose tissue;
- enhances sweating;
- activates T-cell immunity.
If the level of growth hormone in the blood is significantly higher than normal, then all the effects of the hormone on the tissues become excessive. The patient's metabolism is disturbed. Growth hormone increases with acromegaly (gigantism), which is most often the result of pituitary adenoma.
The effect of GH on other hormones
Growth hormone performs its action with the support of other biologically active substances. The anabolic effects of GH are realized only at normal insulin levels. If this hormone is low, then both protein synthesis and linear growth are disturbed.
Lipolysis (destruction of lipids in adipose tissue) STH carries out with the support of sex and thyroid hormones. In addition, they are also necessary for the anabolic effects of somatotropin.
The hormones of the adrenal cortex have the opposite effect of STH. Glucocorticoids help reduce protein synthesis, increase body weight, and inhibit linear body growth.
Pathological conditions
Both excessive and insufficient synthesis of growth hormone leads to serious diseases. If STH is released too little, then pituitary dwarfism develops. This condition is associated with unfavorable genetics.
Pituitary dwarfism is diagnosed in young children. If treatment with synthetic analogues of growth hormone is started on time, then insufficient body growth in length by adulthood can be completely corrected.
In adults, the lack of growth hormone is manifested by excessive fat deposition, weakness, and apathy. This condition is rarely diagnosed and treated.
Excessive release of somatotropic hormone leads to the appearance of acromegaly and gigantism. In children, there is excessive growth in length, in adults - characteristic changes in appearance. Acromegaly is accompanied by disorders of fat, carbohydrate, protein, water metabolism. This disease is often complicated by cardiovascular pathologies.
Treatment of acromegaly begins with conservative measures. The patient is prescribed synthetic somatostatin to prepare for radical treatment. This is followed by surgery or radiation therapy. During the recovery period and later, the patient should be regularly tested for growth hormone and IGF-1. If the remission is incomplete, then drug treatment is continued in the postoperative period. Somatostatin is recommended for a long period of time (six months to a year). This drug has several forms of release. The most convenient for the patient is somatostatin injection once every 3-4 weeks. This drug has a fairly high price. Currently, somatostatin is included in the list of subsidized medicines.
Trade names of somatostatin preparations:
- Stylamine;
- Somatulin;
- Sandostatin Lar (long-acting somatostatin);
- Sandostatin (long-acting somatostatin);
- Octreotide (long-acting somatostatin);
- Modustatin.
The drugs of this group are used not only for the treatment of acromegaly. Somatostatin is also needed for pancreatitis, and for acute bleeding from the vessels of the digestive tract.
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Normal growth hormone levels in women will differ depending on the age period. This substance is responsible for the growth of the body. The largest amount of somatotropic hormone (GH) is produced in children, and with age, its amount decreases markedly.
What is STG
Somatotropic hormone (somatropin) is produced in the anterior pituitary gland. In turn, its production is regulated by the hypothalamus. In this part of the brain, 2 substances are formed:
- somatoliberin (increases the production of growth hormone);
- somatostatin (lowers the production of growth hormone).
The greatest production of the hormone occurs when a person is sleeping. This may be related to the idea that the child grows during sleep.
Usually, the amount of GH decreases in the evening and rises sharply in the morning.
In the body, somatropin breaks down within 1 hour. It acts on tissues through insulin-like somatomedins, which are formed in the liver. They are intermediaries between growth hormone and body systems. Therefore, in case of violations of the production of somatotropic hormone, an additional study on insulin-like growth factor is prescribed.
In the body, somatropin performs the following functions:
- Stimulates protein and fat metabolism.
- Promotes bone growth.
- Maintains normal glucose levels.
- Stimulates the formation of DNA.
- Increases milk production during lactation.
- Participates in the formation of glycogen in the liver.
In babies, in the first 3 months of life, an optimal level of hormone production is formed. In a child, its content is higher than in adults, growth hormone is necessary for a growing organism.
A particularly high level of somatropin is observed in children during puberty.
Then the production of growth hormone begins to gradually decline and reaches a minimum by the age of 60.
Hormone production rates
Standards for the concentration of growth hormone in the blood depend on the age and gender of the person. The content of the hormone is usually measured in mcg / l. In medicine, the following reference values \u200b\u200bof a blood test for growth hormone are accepted:
- Newborns: 5 to 53 mcg/L.
- Children under 1 year old: 2 to 10 mcg / l.
- Children and adolescents under 18 years of age: 1 - 20 mcg / l.
- Women 18 - 60 years old: 0 - 18 mcg / l, men 18 - 60 years old: 0 - 4 mcg / l.
- Women over 60 years old: 1 - 16 mcg / l, men over 60 years old: 1 - 9 mcg / l.
From these indicators, we can conclude that the norms of GH production in women are slightly higher than in men.
To determine the amount of somatropin, a blood test is taken from a vein. This study is prescribed for the following pathologies:
- excessively low or high growth in children and adults;
- infertility (usually together with an analysis of gonadotropic and sex hormones);
- osteoporosis;
- muscle weakness;
- increased sweating;
- obesity;
- drop in blood sugar levels;
- suspicion of acromegaly;
- porphyria.
A blood test for growth hormone is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. On the eve of the study, you should stop drinking alcohol and smoking, and an x-ray should not be taken a week before the diagnosis. Usually they take an analysis not only for somatropin, but also for other pituitary hormones.
Reasons for the rise and fall of the hormone
If somatropin is elevated in girls, then this leads to accelerated growth. The child becomes too tall, his height can reach 2 m. This is a dangerous disease that leads to increased bone fragility and early mortality.
If STH is elevated in a girl or woman, then acromegaly may develop. In adulthood, all growth zones are already closed, a person cannot grow up. Limbs, chin, soft tissues begin to grow. This not only distorts the appearance of a person, but leads to serious health problems: atherosclerosis, hypertension, urolithiasis. This pathology requires immediate treatment, since acromegaly significantly shortens life. Without treatment, patients rarely live past the age of 50.
The level of STH can be increased in other diseases:
- pituitary tumors;
- tumors in other organs that produce somatropin or somatoliberin;
- pathology of receptors sensitive to growth hormone;
- chronic renal failure;
- alcoholism.
Sometimes the hormone can be elevated due to random causes. The following factors that increase the production of growth hormone can be distinguished:
- eating food rich in proteins;
- prolonged fasting (more than 15 - 16 hours);
- excessive physical activity;
- stress;
- the use of drugs with amino acids, hormonal contraceptives, antiviral drugs, insulin.
If the growth hormone is lowered in childhood, then pituitary dwarfism (nanism) is observed. The child grows very slowly, the figure becomes disproportionate, there is a delay in sexual development. Without treatment, growth can remain small for life.
In adults, a lack of growth hormone leads to obesity, since this hormone is involved in metabolism.
Treatment of GH production disorders
Treatment of violations of the production of somatropin is carried out with the help of hormonal drugs. With acromegaly in adults and gigantism in children, the drug Somatostatin is prescribed, which lowers the production of the hormone. If the child is stunted, then he is prescribed a medication that increases the level of growth hormone. This is Somatropin Injection. The same therapy is indicated for adults with obesity associated with a decrease in somatotropic hormone.
If the level of the hormone is reduced or increased due to a pituitary tumor, then surgical treatment is performed. Currently, such operations are performed by a low-traumatic method, without resorting to craniotomy. The tumor is removed through the nasal passage.
If the operation is not possible, then the pituitary gland is irradiated, this slows down the growth of a benign formation.
A decrease or increase in growth hormone indicates serious problems with the hypothalamic-pituitary region. In childhood, this can affect the appearance and health of the child. In case of deviations from the norm in the analysis of growth hormone, it is urgent to contact an endocrinologist. Modern drugs will help eliminate hormonal disorders.
Is it possible to increase the level of STH at home
If the patient has a serious hormonal disease, then it will not be possible to increase the level of growth hormone by alternative methods. In case of pathology, only the use of special drugs can help. But if a person wants to maintain growth hormone at the proper level, then this is quite possible to do at home. As long as enough somatropin is produced in the body, a person retains youth longer. This hormone keeps the muscles in good condition and prevents the aging process of the body. To maintain the level of somatropin will help the observance of simple rules:
- Regular sports training contributes to the production of GH. Walking, running, fitness classes are especially useful. But sports exercises should not be abused, otherwise cortisol will begin to form in the body in an increased amount, and this hormone reduces the effectiveness of growth hormone.
- You should eat less fat, but as much protein as possible. Products such as cottage cheese, cheese, milk, eggs, poultry meat, nuts, and fish contribute to the production of growth hormone. Sweet foods should be eaten in moderation. In response to the intake of sugar, insulin begins to be intensively produced, which inhibits the production of growth hormone.
- A full sound sleep is very important, during which somatropin is produced. You need to sleep at least 8 hours. If you do not get enough sleep, there will be no benefit from training and proper nutrition.
If you adhere to this lifestyle, then the level of growth hormone will be stable, and the body will remain young and healthy for a long time.
In contact with
Somatotropic hormone (GH) is produced in the human pituitary gland. It depends on him the growth and development of children. GH is released in pulses. In addition, its level in the blood depends on the age of the person. So, for example, the maximum value falls on the age of one to three years, but by the age of 20, the concentration decreases sharply.
The highest level of this hormone is found in the body at night, because. it is produced at this time of day. In addition, it rises during physical exertion and fasting, but immediately after eating, its concentration drops.
Functions
Like any other substance produced in the body, growth hormone has certain functions. For example:
- This hormone controls the amount of cholesterol in the body. With its deficiency, atherosclerosis, stroke conditions, or other diseases of the cardiovascular system can occur.
- STH is involved in the production of collagen, which is necessary for the normal condition of the skin. If there is a deficiency of this substance, then the skin begins to lose its elasticity faster and age faster.
- Growth hormone plays an important role in weight loss. The fact is that during a night's sleep, he is involved in the breakdown of lipids. If the somatotropic hormone is lowered, then the person becomes overweight.
- In children, GH has an effect on bone lengthening, and thus on the growth of the whole body. But in women and men, it is responsible for the strength of bone tissue.
- In addition, this substance helps tissues and muscles to be stronger and stronger as well.
- In addition, with a normal level of this hormone, a person feels more energetic and cheerful.
These are the main functions that growth hormone performs in the body.
Norm
At different ages, the normal value of growth hormone is also different. What is considered the norm?
- in newborns, the hormone level on the first day is in the range from 5 to 53 μg / l;
- if the child's age is up to one week, then the hormone content should not be lower than 5 μg / l and higher than 27 μg / l;
- in children under one year old, the rate of somatotropic hormone is in the range from 2 to 10 mcg / l;
- for middle-aged men, the norm is considered to be from 0 to 4 µg / l;
- as for women of the same age, their level of growth hormone is significantly different from the norm for men and should be in the range from 0 to 18 mcg / l;
- in men whose age is above 60 years, it is considered normal if the hormone level does not exceed 9 mcg / l and not lower than 1 mcg / l;
- in women over 60 years of age, the content of growth hormone should not exceed 16 μg / l, and be not lower than 1 μg / l.
How to determine the level of the hormone?
To determine how much somatotropic hormone is in the body, it should be remembered that it is produced by impulses. And therefore, you need to know how to take this analysis in order to get a reliable result.
As a rule, the doctor prescribes such an analysis if there is certain evidence that the level is different from the norm.
In order to check the work of the pituitary gland, specialists use studies on other hormones, and an analysis for growth hormone is done additionally if necessary.
If the doctor still prescribes such an examination, then you should remember a few rules:
- X-rays should not be taken 7 days before the test. Otherwise, the data will be incorrect;
- the day before the study, you need to use a strict diet and in no case eat fatty foods;
- 12 hours before the analysis, you should not eat any food at all;
- it is necessary to stop smoking at least three hours before blood sampling;
- an analysis is done in the morning on an empty stomach, at this time a person has the lowest level of growth hormone.
Compliance with these simple rules will help you get a reliable result.
If STH is elevated
It is not always the case that the level of growth hormone coincides with the norm. Sometimes it happens that STH is elevated in the human body. Most often this is due to the presence of a tumor in the pituitary gland, which enhances the production of various hormones. As a result, the following consequences may occur:
- Children can develop a disease such as gigantism. This happens because the amount of growth hormone increases, the bones begin to grow faster. As a result, height growth is greatly increased.
- In adults, due to the fact that the skeleton has already grown in length, there is an increase in the width of the bones. In such people, the hands and feet become large, the ears and nose may increase. This disease is called acromegaly. In addition, a person with this disease has a metabolic disorder, and diseases of the heart and blood vessels may occur.
If the level of the hormone is elevated for a long time, then this may indicate the presence of kidney failure, uncompensated diabetes mellitus, and tumor neoplasms. It is worth noting that among lovers of alcoholic beverages, STG is also often elevated.
If STG is low
There is also a downside, when during the tests a lack of growth hormone in the body is detected. As a result, slow growth is observed, and the general and sexual development of the child may be disturbed. If this is not detected in childhood, then in adulthood a person can have a height of no more than 140 cm. Children have disorders in the thyroid gland, hormonal disruptions. In adults, metabolic disorders, obesity, and memory problems are also noted. In addition, the level of somastatin increases.
Most often, the lack of growth hormone occurs as a result of diseases of the endocrine system.
Somatropin
If the analysis shows a value below the norm, then any person will be interested in how to increase growth hormone.
Currently, experts recommend a drug such as Somatropin. This medicine helps to increase the amount of growth hormone in the body. The dosage form of this remedy is a white powder in a glass container. In addition, it comes with an ampoule of water for injection. It is necessary to prepare and administer the medicine as written in the instructions for use.
Somatropin is also available in tablets. At first it was used to treat diseases in hospitals, but due to the fact that when it is taken, muscle mass increases quickly enough, athletes began to often use it. As a result, more and more counterfeit Somatropin began to appear. Therefore, at present, it is best to use the drug in powder form.
The drug Somatropin has a positive effect on human growth. There is an increase in muscle mass, on the contrary, the fat layer becomes smaller. In this case, the metabolism in the body comes to a normal state.
Often such a drug can be prescribed to people who are very concerned about the issue of aging. The fact is that thanks to this drug, the level of somatotropic hormone in the body will correspond to that which young people have. This explains the rejuvenating effect of the drug. And although in medicine it is considered not very useful, but many in Europe practice it.
It may also be prescribed if it is necessary to restore muscle mass, which has been greatly reduced as a result of any serious illness.
Indications for use
Specialists prescribe such a drug if the child has growth retardation as a result of a lack of growth hormone, or if there are problems with growth due to kidney failure in adolescents.
Adults are prescribed it for an acquired or congenital deficiency of this hormone.
Contraindications
Somatropin also has certain contraindications in which it is impossible to take this drug. These include:
- oncological diseases;
- pregnancy;
- feeding period;
- hypersensitivity to the drug;
- intracranial injury.
Side effects
In addition, this drug has a number of side effects that can be read in the instructions for use. For example:
- pressure may rise
- headache;
- nausea;
- violation of the thyroid gland;
- swelling;
- pain at the injection site.
Therefore, before you start using the drug, you need to carefully read the instructions.
The course of treatment with Somatropin is set by the doctor individually for each patient. It may be 3 months, or it may last for 2 years. Before use, you must always look at the expiration date indicated on the package of the drug, because. after it ends, there will be no more benefit. Somatropin can be stored for two years.
Any hormone that is produced in the human body is very important. Somatotropic hormone affects the growth and development of a person. Therefore, its deviation from the norm can lead to negative consequences. If a person finds in himself any signs that STG has not changed for the better, then you should definitely consult a doctor. And if the tests showed not a very good result, then you should not panic either. It is better to obey a specialist and follow all his instructions, do not give up and in no case self-medicate.
STH or somatotropic hormone in childhood it stimulates the growth of the body in length, and in an adult it has an anabolic effect on metabolism.
Synonyms: human growth hormone, somatotropin, growth hormone, STH, GH, hGH, STH.
Somatotropic growth hormone is
- one of the hormones of the anterior pituitary gland, is necessary for the full growth and development of the child. In adults, it affects bone and muscle mass by supporting protein synthesis in them, breaks down fats and increases the level of v.
An adult secretes about 40 mg of growth hormone per day, and during the ripening period, daily secretion rises to 700 mg.
The GH molecule is a chain of 191 amino acids with two sulfide bridges inside. Of all mammals, human growth hormone is most similar to monkey growth hormone. It occurs in somatotrophs - special cells of the anterior pituitary gland, from a biologically inactive prehormone - pre-GH, which partially enters the blood.
Somatotrophs and lactotrophs form 50% of the pituitary cells.
In the blood, 50% of growth hormone binds to a special transport protein. The half-life of free STH is 20-50 minutes. The GH gene is located on chromosome 17, along with prolactin and placental GH-like peptide.
excretion stimulants
- somatoliberin - a pituitary hormone, increases the levels of growth hormone in a few minutes, reaching a maximum after half an hour
- low blood glucose and fasting
- food rich in proteins
- physical exercise
- stress
Blockers
- somatostatin - inhibits the release of growth hormone and, at the same time, TSH, is secreted by the nuclei of the hypothalamus, D-cells of the pancreas, the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, and the thyroid gland
- carbohydrate food
- fatty acid
- overactive thyroid - hyperthyroidism
Growth hormone is secreted into the blood in an impulse and its concentration depends on the age and state of sleep-wakefulness, the season. The peak is 1-4 hours after falling asleep, when 70% of the daily “dose” of GH is released.
The effects of the hormone are also realized by IGF-2; to a lesser extent, it has a direct effect on tissues.
Effects of growth hormone
- stimulates body growth in length (through IGF-1)
- increases protein synthesis
- reduces the use of fats
- increases the release of glycogen from the liver and reduces the rate of use of glucose by tissues
- increases insulin resistance
- increases the level of phosphorus in the blood
- reduces the excretion of sodium and potassium (they are redirected to growing tissues)
- stimulates calcium absorption in the intestine
- speeds up collagen metabolism
With a deficiency of growth hormone in childhood, calicity (nanism) develops with a proportional torso-limb ratio, with an excess, on the contrary, gigantism with growth above average. Excess growth hormone in adulthood leads to excessive growth of certain parts of the body - acromegaly.
Symptoms of deficiency and excess of growth hormone are the same as those of IGF-1.
Symptoms of elevated GH
- enlargement of the facial bones, especially the mandible and brow ridges
- increase in hands and feet (become small gloves, shoes)
- increased sweating, fatigue, headache
- joint pain, headache
- enlargement of internal organs (according to the results of ultrasound)
- impaired sense of smell and vision
- decreased sex drive and erection (in men)
- glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus
- high blood pressure
- children are very tall
Symptoms of reduced GH
- short stature
- slow physical and mental development, lack of puberty
- decreased muscle tone
- doll face
- in adults - osteoporosis, decreased muscle mass, changes in lipid profile
Analysis Features
Blood sampling for analysis is carried out in the morning at 8-10 o'clock, in the empty heart, in a state of relative rest.
To diagnose a deficiency or excess of growth hormone, functional tests are performed. At decreased pituitary function an insulin test is used, which, by lowering the level of glucose in the blood, increases the release of growth hormone. At increased pituitary function — glucose test or dopamine- these substances normally reduce the release of growth hormone.
The basal level of GH is low both in healthy children and in GH deficiency, so growth hormone deficiency must be diagnosed by an insufficient increase in GH after stimulation. Tests won't always find a deficiency!
Children with increased body weight are more likely to have falsely reduced GH.
Indications
- diseases and conditions with an excess or deficiency of growth hormone
- short or very tall child
- an increase in individual parts of the body in an adult and changes in appearance
- inconsistency of inert age with passport age
- identified neoplasm in the pituitary gland (on CT or MRI) and assessment of its function
- decreased TSH level
- assessment of the success of treatment with growth hormone preparations
Norm, ng/ml
- 0-7 days - 1.18-27.0
- 7-15 days - 0.69-17.6
- 15 days - 3 years - 0.43-3.5
- 3-8 years old - 0.15-5.4
- 8-10 years - 0.1-3.1
- 10-11 years old 0.10-6.9
- 11-17 years old - 0.1-12.2
- 17-19 years old 0.24-4.7
- over 20 years old - 0.06-5.0
Norm, mg/l
- 0-20 mg/l
The rate of growth hormone in the blood is not defined by international standards, therefore it depends on the methodology and reagents used in the laboratory. In the laboratory test form, the norm is written in the column - reference values.
Additional Research
- - ( , ), ( , )
- glucose
- insulin-like growth factor 1
- - TTG, St. T4
What influences the result?
- increase- fasting, alcoholism, smoking, a small amount of protein in food, after overheating (sauna, bath), stress and physical activity, weight loss, late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, breastfeeding, St. John's wort tea, short-term administration of glucocorticoid hormones, after hormone administration growth, ACTH, vasopressin, glucagon, arginine, pyridostigmine, estrogen preparations, after insulin administration, alpha-2 adrenomimetics (clonidine, norepinephrine), beta-blockers (propranolol), levodopa, bromocriptine, GABA-agonists, potassium administration, pyroxenes
- reduce - after waking up, menopause, obesity, after eating (blood glucose rises), hypothermia, long-term treatment with glucocorticoid hormones (, with a decrease in number), somatostatin and its analogues (lanreotide, octreotide), alpha-2 antagonists (phenolamine, yohimbine), beta-adrenergic agonists (isoproterenol), antagonists (methylsergin), dopamine (phenothiazines)
Result interpretation
Reasons for the increase
- pituitary tumor (often benign) secreting GH
- gigantism(pituitary gigantism) - develops in children, before the closure of growth zones in the bones, in addition to large growth, there are also symptoms of acromegaly
- acromegaly- in adults, when the growth of the body in length is no longer possible; ears, lips, nose, skull bones increase, spaces between teeth appear, bite changes, arms and legs increase, appearance changes; in 20-40% of cases, increased secretion and prolactin; the tumor can be located both in the pituitary gland and in other organs (rarely)
- Laron's dwarfism - a defect in receptors for growth hormone, IGF-1 - reduced
- ectopic secretion of growth hormone in tumors of the stomach, lungs
- starvation and anorexia, extreme diets
- decompensation of diabetes insipidus
Reasons for the decline
- congenital disorder of synthesis or secretion of growth hormone (pituitary dwarfism) - 1 case out of 10 thousand, a child is born with normal growth, but gradually begins to lag behind peers, treatment with artificial growth hormone normalizes growth and development
- hypopituitarism or isolated GH deficiency- with pituitary tumors (craniopharyngioma, germinoma, glioma), often together with TSH deficiency
- damage to the pituitary gland during childbirth- during breech birth with presentation, obstetric forceps, bleeding or hypoxia
- sheehan syndrome- ischemia and necrosis of the pituitary gland in a woman in labor with the development of a deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones
- after injuries or hemorrhages in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
- after meningitis or encephalitis - inflammation of the membranes or directly the brain tissue
- after brain irradiation
- Prader-Willi syndrome is a congenital disease in children with insufficient function of the hypothalamus
- Hallermann-Streiff syndrome - congenital pathology of the skull and face, developmental disorders of the eyes, teeth, atrophy of the scalp, narrowing of the airways
Data
- minimum allocation in spring, maximum in autumn (shoes bought in spring for a child in autumn will already be small)
- with obesity, daily fluctuations in GH are less pronounced
STH - pituitary somatotropic hormone was last modified: October 5th, 2017 by Maria Bodyan
The brain, but few people know that its scientific name is "somatotropic" and it has a number of other functions. It is desirable to check its indicator for preventive purposes or in case of obvious violations in some vital processes of the body.
Somatotropic hormone can be either increased or decreased, causing various deviations. Therefore, it is extremely important to know its normal indicators and the reasons for the increase (decrease).
Somatotropic hormone - description and meaning
Somatotropic hormone (GH) is a protein compound synthesized in the anterior pituitary gland. The substance is produced by somatotrophs - cells that are 35-45% the basis of the pituitary gland. STH is a short-lived hormone, its half-life is 20-30 minutes.
Human blood contains in its composition two forms of the substance: large-STG and small-STG. The latter is more biologically active, as a result of which it is the main participant in many processes occurring in the body. The hypothalamus is the controller of growth hormone production, focusing on releasing factors.
STH controls all processes of human growth and development until old age. However, depending on age, its concentration changes, so in the period from 1 to 3 years, its level in the blood is maximum, up to 20 it is consistently high, and after the age of twenty it drops sharply. The largest part of the hormone is synthesized at night, during sleep. The level rises
STH with constant physical exertion and fasting, falls, for example, after eating.
Growth hormone, like others, has some functions, the main ones are:
- level control
- participation in the synthesis of collagen - a hormone that is important for the normal state of the human skin
- control of the breakdown of fats in the body, which is why disturbances in the production of growth hormone cause the appearance of excess weight
- main function - responsible for the growth of bones and their strength
- strengthens the structure of muscle tissue, tendons, ligaments
- affects the general physical condition
Such an active activity of growth hormone in the body makes it a very important hormone, the violation of the level of which can cause deviations in the development and growth of children and adults.
Diagnosis and norm
If abnormal levels of growth hormone in the blood are suspected, the doctor first prescribes some tests for some other hormones. If they have confirmed a potential problem, then an event to check the level of growth hormone should be carried out.
Such an analysis consists in taking blood. As with any other, it is necessary to properly prepare for it:
- 12 hours before the procedure, do not eat, the blood sample is taken on an empty stomach
- exclude fatty foods and active sports from the diet for a day
- during stress, it is also not advisable to take an analysis
- 2-3 hours before blood sampling, you can not smoke, one day - drink alcohol
- 7-10 days before the event, do not
- 30 minutes before the analysis, it is important to sit or lie down quietly
The determination of somatotropic hormone occurs by stimulation, that is:
- On an empty stomach, a blood sample is taken, at the moment when the level of growth hormone is the lowest.
- After some time, a growth hormone stimulator (arginine, insulin) is injected into the blood.
- Then, at certain time intervals, several blood samples are again taken.
After such manipulations, the change in the concentration of growth hormone in dynamics is determined and, accordingly, this indicator is normal or not.The level of somatotropic hormone is determined in reference values (mU/l). Its rate depends on the age and gender of the patient.
For men, the normal levels of growth hormone in the blood are:
- boys under 3: 1.3-9.1
- boys from 3 to 9 years old: 0.4-14.0
- boys from 9 to 12 years old: 0.4-29.1
- boys from 13 to 17 years old: 0.6-30.4
- boys and men over 17: 0.2-13
For women, the normal levels of GH concentration in the blood are:
- girls under 3: 1.1-6.2
- girls from 3 to 9 years old: 0.4-8.3
- girls aged 9 to 12: 0.3-23.1
- girls aged 13 to 17: 0.2-29.6
- girls and women from 17 years old: 0.2-13
As you can see, the rate is slightly lower for women than for men. The most dangerous deviations in childhood, as they can provoke some pathologies in the development of the human body.
Reasons for the increase in the hormone
Any deviations in the level of growth hormone in the blood are not groundless phenomena. The main reason for the increase in growth hormone is the presence of a tumor (adenoma) in the pituitary gland, which causes two diseases:
- Gigantism is a disease that manifests itself in children and adolescents before puberty. The disease is characterized by excessive growth of bones in length, as a result of which the growth of the child significantly exceeds that of his peers.
- Acromegaly appears in adults after the closure of all zones of active growth. It is characterized by the growth of bones in width. The disease is quite rare, it affects 50 people per 1,000,000 population.
It is worth noting that gigantism, if not treated, turns into acromegaly with age. The long course of these diseases has a very bad effect on health, so the average age of people suffering from them is 40-50 years.
The main ailments of increasing STG include:
- McCune-Albright and Wermer syndromes.
- Isolated familial acromegaly.
- Carney complex.
Gigantism and acromegaly account for about 98% of all cases of increased somatotropic hormone in human blood. In addition, the growth of the level upwards can be triggered by a number of other factors:
However, the above factors provoke only a temporary increase in GH secretion, therefore, in order to obtain reliable test results, it is important to exclude their effect on your body a week before blood donation.
signs
Increased secretion of somatotropic hormone in the initial stages may not make itself felt, but over time, a number of signs appear that make it possible to diagnose an anomaly “from the threshold”:
- Appearance. With an increase in STH in adults, the thickness of the bones changes, which entails an increase in facial features (advancement of the lower jaw forward, enlargement of the cheekbones, nose, lips, ears, etc.) and enlargement of other parts of the body. The anomaly is pronounced and causes serious discomfort to the patient, forcing him to constantly change clothes. In children, an increased level of the hormone is characterized by elongation of the bones, clearly distinguishing the child in appearance from his peers - this may be a height of more than two meters, too long fingers, and more.
- Skin changes. A high level of GH secretion seriously affects the condition of human skin. It becomes thicker, denser, wrinkled, often darkens in places of friction with clothing. Also, there is often an increase in hairiness, sweating and greasiness of the epithelium.
- Enlargement of organs. An excessive amount of growth causes not only an increase in the size of the bones, but also in all other structural units of the human body. Significantly change the lungs and heart, as well as joints. The latter, in turn, are deformed, after which pains, impaired mobility, and so on appear.
- Metabolic disease. This symptom causes a number of deviations in the metabolic process, resulting in the development of:(30% of cases), (90%), decreased calcium levels (45%).
- Nervous system disorders. The phenomenon is connected, first of all, with the fact that the tumor in the pituitary gland grows and begins to put pressure on nearby departments. This pressure causes some neurological disorders: tactile dysfunction, decreased sensitivity to pain, constant sensation of insects crawling on the skin (paresthesia).