Diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults

Adult growth hormone (GH) deficiency is a recognised syndrome associated with adverse phenotypic, metabolic, and quality-of-life features which improve in many patients when GH is substituted. The appropriate selection of patients at risk of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is the crucial first step...

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Main Authors: Nigel Glynn, Amar Agha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:International Journal of Endocrinology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/972617
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author Nigel Glynn
Amar Agha
author_facet Nigel Glynn
Amar Agha
author_sort Nigel Glynn
collection DOAJ
description Adult growth hormone (GH) deficiency is a recognised syndrome associated with adverse phenotypic, metabolic, and quality-of-life features which improve in many patients when GH is substituted. The appropriate selection of patients at risk of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is the crucial first step in arriving at a correct diagnosis. Although multiple diagnostic modalities are available including a 24-hour serum GH profile, stimulated GH levels, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels, the use of dynamic tests for GH reserves is required in most cases. This paper discusses the utility and drawbacks of the various testing modalities with reference to international guidelines. Regardless of the test chosen, clinical pitfalls including age and obesity must be taken into account. In addition, there is considerable analytical variation in the biochemical measurements of GH and IGF-1 which must be considered before making a diagnosis of GHD in adulthood.
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spelling doaj-art-ee5fe85967144dafbb390689f4284f962025-02-03T06:13:52ZengWileyInternational Journal of Endocrinology1687-83371687-83452012-01-01201210.1155/2012/972617972617Diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency in AdultsNigel Glynn0Amar Agha1Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital, RCSI Medical School, Dublin 9, IrelandDepartment of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital, RCSI Medical School, Dublin 9, IrelandAdult growth hormone (GH) deficiency is a recognised syndrome associated with adverse phenotypic, metabolic, and quality-of-life features which improve in many patients when GH is substituted. The appropriate selection of patients at risk of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is the crucial first step in arriving at a correct diagnosis. Although multiple diagnostic modalities are available including a 24-hour serum GH profile, stimulated GH levels, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels, the use of dynamic tests for GH reserves is required in most cases. This paper discusses the utility and drawbacks of the various testing modalities with reference to international guidelines. Regardless of the test chosen, clinical pitfalls including age and obesity must be taken into account. In addition, there is considerable analytical variation in the biochemical measurements of GH and IGF-1 which must be considered before making a diagnosis of GHD in adulthood.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/972617
spellingShingle Nigel Glynn
Amar Agha
Diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults
International Journal of Endocrinology
title Diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults
title_full Diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults
title_fullStr Diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults
title_full_unstemmed Diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults
title_short Diagnosing Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults
title_sort diagnosing growth hormone deficiency in adults
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/972617
work_keys_str_mv AT nigelglynn diagnosinggrowthhormonedeficiencyinadults
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