Are you experiencing low growth hormone production? HGH deficiency can be the result of one or more underlying health issues. Understanding these causes is essential for diagnosis, treatment, and overall health management. The more common causes include:
- Pituitary disorders
- Hypothalamic disorders
- Genetic conditions
- Autoimmune diseases
- Brain injuries and trauma
- Chronic kidney disease
- Severe nutritional deficiencies
- Aging and HGH decline
Pituitary Disorders
The tiny pituitary gland sitting at the base of the brain is responsible for producing several hormones, including growth hormone. It’s so important that it’s sometimes called the master gland.
A malfunction of this primary gland can have widespread effects. For example, if the condition called hypopituitarism develops, one of the lobs of the pituitary gland becomes less effective at producing hormones.
Several conditions can lead to hypopituitarism. These include a pituitary tumor and a reduction of blood flow to the pituitary gland.
Hypothalamic Disorders
The hypothalamus plays a chief role in keeping the body in stable condition. It does so by influencing the body’s automatic functions and its hormones. The hypothalamus communicates with the body by sending signals to other glands, such as the pituitary. For example, the hypothalamus releases a hormone that triggers the pituitary gland to release growth hormone.
When the hypothalamus is damaged, it can lose its ability to communicate accurately and consistently with the rest of the body, specifically the pituitary. Conditions that can cause hypothalamic malfunction include brain infection, eating disorders, brain surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Genetic Conditions
Some health issues that trigger growth hormone deficiency are inherited. The underlying issue is a genetic mutation, which researchers have classified as types 1A, 1B, II, and III.
Type 1A negatively impacts growth while the child is still in the womb. The mutation usually prevents the patient from responding well to long-term treatment.
Type 1B closely resembles 1A, but it doesn’t block the patient from the benefits of lifetime treatment.
Type II typically becomes obvious during childhood when growth begins to slow mysteriously. Approximately half of those with this mutation suffer from pituitary hypoplasia, which is an underdeveloped pituitary gland.
Type III is similar to type II, and its effects are routinely noticeable by mid-childhood. Due to a compromised immune system, it’s not uncommon for people with this mutation to have recurring infections.
Autoimmune Diseases
Sometimes, the body’s defense against foreign substances misidentifies a harmless body part as a threat. The body then launches an attack against itself. When that occurs, the condition might be labeled as an autoimmune disease.
The link between the existence of an autoimmune disease in a patient and the poor production of growth hormone remains under study. Doctors recognize the role autoimmune diseases can have on hormone levels while they continue to look for a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the interaction.
It is known that the body’s defense system mistakenly assaults its glands, triggering a hormonal imbalance. If the pituitary gland were attacked, it would be unable to produce enough growth hormone.
Brain Injuries and Trauma
Traumatic brain injury involves serious damage to the brain that interferes with the brain’s normal operation. The blow to the head is so violent that it causes the brain to either slam against the interior wall of the skull or experience a hard twisting motion. The effects of traumatic brain injury can be short or long-term.
The pituitary gland sits at the base of the skull in a small cavity within a bony structure. Its location makes it susceptible to injury if the skull experiences a powerful collision. The result can leave the pituitary gland producing a fraction of its normal growth hormone output.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Two well-known causes of chronic kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes. The kidneys play a crucial role in the body’s use of hormones, so damage to the kidneys can cause harm to the glands producing hormones. Likewise, there’s evidence that compromised glands can contribute to the advancement of chronic kidney disease.
Severe Nutritional Deficiencies
Research shows that good nutritional habits help the body produce the correct amount of hormones and remain balanced. Conversely, poor nutrition appears to rob the glands of needed components, putting hormonal balance in jeopardy.
For example, basic eating guidelines, such as reducing refined sugar intake while increasing the consumption of nutritionally dense foods filled with vitamins and minerals, seem to help reduce inflammation and stress.
Aging and HGH Decline
The production of growth hormone slows considerably after the third decade of life. The rate of decline after that point is approximately 15% each decade.
Symptoms include a noticeable loss of strength and muscle mass. A person will tire more easily and tend to be prone to more bone fractures.
Today, people are less likely to accept a massive decline in growth hormone as inevitable. Instead, they take proactive steps to improve their health. After consulting with medical professionals, they may explore how to buy HGH for use in a safe and well-supervised treatment program with potentially significant results.
