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Postgrad Med J 2006;82:24-30 doi:10.1136/pgmj.2005.036087
  • Review

Growth hormone and its disorders

  1. J Ayuk,
  2. M C Sheppard
  1. Division of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr J Ayuk
 Division of Medical Sciences, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK; j.ayuk{at}bham.ac.uk
  • Received 14 April 2005
  • Accepted 10 May 2005

Abstract

Growth hormone (GH) is synthesised and secreted by the somatotroph cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Its actions involve multiple organs and systems, affecting postnatal longitudinal growth as well as protein, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism. GH hypersecretion results in gigantism or acromegaly, a condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality, while GH deficiency results in growth retardation in children and the GH deficiency syndrome in adults. This article, aimed at non-paediatric physicians, examines the clinical features, diagnosis, and current concepts in the management of these conditions.

Footnotes

  • Funding: John Ayuk is supported by an Ipsen Fund Clinical Research Fellowship.

  • Conflicts of interest: none.

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