Hormones are essential substances in the human body, functioning as mediators that transmit various signals to participate in bodily activities. Hormones can be categorized into four types: steroids, amino acid derivatives, peptides and proteins, and fatty acid derivatives. Though collectively termed hormones, their chemical structures differ significantly.Growth hormone belongs to the peptide hormone category. Secreted by the pituitary gland in the human brain, it acts on growth-related receptors to promote the synthesis of relevant proteins and stimulate the growth of joint cartilage and epiphyseal cartilage. Growth hormone deficiency can lead to dwarfism.
With continuous technological innovation and advancement, injecting recombinant human growth hormone can aid the growth and development of children and adolescents.
Many parents believe growth hormone use may affect their child's natural growth. In fact, GH is a naturally occurring, non-heterologous protein in the human body. Clinically administered doses are small effective amounts, making it safe and effective without negative impacts on a child's natural growth.Furthermore, growth hormone injections do not interfere with endogenous secretion. Patients require exogenous supplementation precisely because they cannot produce sufficient GH, or their existing GH is ineffective. Since administered at low therapeutic doses, these injections do not trigger negative feedback suppression of endogenous GH production.
A common misconception among parents is that growth hormone causes weight gain. However, the hormone responsible for weight gain is glucocorticoid, a steroid. Growth hormone, being a peptide hormone, not only does not cause weight gain but also has a fat-degrading effect. It significantly regulates the rate of fat cell lipolysis.It induces adrenergic receptors on adipocyte membranes, triggering lipolysis. Additionally, growth hormone influences glucose metabolism by reducing cellular insulin sensitivity and decreasing peripheral glucose utilization. Consequently, children receiving growth hormone therapy do not gain weight.
Parents often mistakenly believe children may develop dependence on growth hormone. This is untrue. Short stature results from growth hormone secretion disorders (including quantity and activity) or GH insensitivity. Growth hormone therapy provides exogenous supplementation solely to promote height gain. Discontinuing treatment allows the child to resume their original growth trajectory without affecting endogenous secretion.
Lack of knowledge about growth hormone fuels widespread misconceptions and fuels rumors. The scientific approach is to seek systematic diagnosis and treatment at a hospital, follow medical advice, and initiate timely intervention.