“How do I know if my child has growth hormone deficiency?”
My child is 3 years old. How do I know if my child has growth hormone deficiency?
1 Answer
Growth Hormone Deficiency is a clinical diagnosis and other medical conditions can cause impaired growth. The following tests are used to diagnose Growth Hormone Deficiency:
1. Plot age and height on Growth Chart. This will document a growth problem and provide clues as to the cause
2 Measure IGF-1 Level. .GH works by causing the body to make IGF-1 which stimulates the bones to grow..In GH deficiency, IGF-1 will be low.
3. .GH stimulation. Various compounds or pharmaceutical agents can stimulate GH production by the pituitary gland which can be measured .In GH deficiency GH will not be produced. (This latter test should be performed by an endocrinologist.).
Edward N. Smolar, MD
1. Plot age and height on Growth Chart. This will document a growth problem and provide clues as to the cause
2 Measure IGF-1 Level. .GH works by causing the body to make IGF-1 which stimulates the bones to grow..In GH deficiency, IGF-1 will be low.
3. .GH stimulation. Various compounds or pharmaceutical agents can stimulate GH production by the pituitary gland which can be measured .In GH deficiency GH will not be produced. (This latter test should be performed by an endocrinologist.).
Edward N. Smolar, MD
