Human Growth Hormone

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Growth Hormones: How the Body Controls Height

By Denise DeWitt HERWriter April 29, 2010 - 5:15pm
 
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People grow to an average height thanks to growth hormones that are produced by special glands in the brain. People who are taller or shorter than average may have an excess or deficiency of growth hormone.

Hormones Defined

Hormones are chemicals that are supposed to be in your body to control various functions such as growth, energy, reproduction, and mood. Hormones are produced by special glands based on chemical instructions sent out by the master gland which is called the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain, also produces growth hormone, which is abbreviated GH.

Growth hormone, as the name suggests, is the hormone that controls your body’s growth. GH is very important in childhood development as it helps children grow taller byl regulating the growth of bones and cartilage. It also helps increase muscle mass and decrease body fat as children grow. GH continues to work after we reach our adult height by controlling the body’s metabolism including how the cells of the body use food for energy.

Growth Hormone Deficiency

Children who have a growth hormone deficiency do not produce enough growth hormone. They may be smaller than normal at birth, or may start growing at a normal rate, but slow down after they reach 2 to 3 years. Because the length of skeletal bones is complete by the end of puberty, children with GH deficiency who are not treated before puberty may never reach a normal adult height. They may be as short as 3-4 feet tall, but they are generally proportioned normally with arms and legs that look the right length for their bodies. This condition is known as pituitary dwarfism.

Excess Growth Hormone

It is also possible to have higher than normal levels of GH. Children with excess GH tend to become very tall, and may grow to be over 7 feet as adults. Their arms and legs may also look longer than normal for the rest of their bodies. Excess GH can be caused by a non-cancerous tumor in the pituitary gland.

 
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We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

Denise DeWitt HERWriter View Profile Send Message

I am a freelance writer and television producer living in the Phoenix metro area. I have always been fascinated by ...

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Anonymous

well, it looks like that the medicine industry has gave up the possibility of changing the hight more than four inches. here i am trying with yoga to increase my hight to 9 feet 3 inches. i am now 5feet 6 inches. let us see.

September 24, 2011 - 7:30am
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