Julia Florek, Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher and David Aebisher
Medical College of The University of Rzeszów, Poland

Part of the book: The Biochemical Guide to Hormones

Abstract

Growth hormone enhances the growth of long bones and organs. It also stimulates glycogenolysis and glucose secretion from the liver and positive effect on the condition of the skin, concentration and mood. Growth hormone is the most important factor in regulating weight gain in the body. Its deficiency leads to the development of severely disabling dysfunctions, such as dwarfism, while its too high concentration may lead to acromegaly or gigantism. The norms of growth hormone levels differ for adults and children: they range from about 1 to 12 ng / ml for adults and from about 10 to 30 ng / ml for children. GH used for a long time may lead to hypoglycaemia and an increase in the concentration of free fatty acids in the plasma, and in extreme cases even to the development of acromegaly. Taking supplements containing the so-called growth hormone precursors and an appropriate diet that increases the synthesis of somatropin in the body.

Keywords: hormone, growth hormone (GH), somatropin, growth hormone inhibiting hormone (GHIH), somatomedins, hypoglycaemia

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