Growth Hormone Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Growth Hormone Deficiency?
A pediatric endocrinologist, a children's hormone doctor, usually treats growth hormone deficiency in children. Adults are usually seen by an endocrinologist, a hormone doctor. A primary care doctor can also help find out why a child is growing slowly. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is growth hormone deficiency?
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a rare condition. The body does not make enough growth hormone (GH). GH is made by the pituitary gland, a small organ at the base of the brain.
In children, GH is essential for normal growth and for strong muscles and bones. It also helps control blood sugar and fat levels. In adults, GH affects bone and muscle health.
Without enough GH, a child is likely to grow slowly. The child may be much shorter than other children of the same age and sex.
Symptoms
In children, the most important sign is slow growth. Other signs can include:
- Short height with normal body proportions.
- Low blood sugar in babies and toddlers.
- No puberty in the teen years, in children who lack other pituitary hormones.
- A very small penis in newborn boys who also lack other pituitary hormones.
Adults with severe GHD may have extra body fat around the waist, less muscle, and low energy.
Causes and who gets it
Some children are born with GHD. This is called congenital GHD. Others develop it after birth. This is called acquired GHD.
Acquired GHD can follow damage to the pituitary gland or the nearby brain area. Causes include a brain tumor, surgery, a severe brain injury, or radiation to the area.
Most children with childhood-onset GHD have no other hormone shortages. In these children, doctors often cannot find a cause. This type is not inherited.
Some forms of isolated GHD are caused by changes in the GH1, GHRHR, or BTK genes. Slow growth does not always mean GHD.
How doctors diagnose it
The doctor reviews medical history and growth charts. A child with GHD usually shows a drop in height across two or more percentiles on a growth chart.
Tests may include:
- An X-ray of the hand and wrist to check bone age and growth potential.
- IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 blood levels. IGF-1 is a growth factor that GH helps the body make.
- A GH stimulation test. A medicine given through an IV makes the pituitary release GH, and blood is drawn over about two hours.
- An MRI of the head to look for a problem with the pituitary or the brain.
A single GH blood test is not usually helpful, because GH levels change through the day. You may need to fast before a test, so follow your doctor's instructions.
Treatment
People with GHD are treated with injections of man-made GH. It is a prescription medicine. It is given at home as a shot under the skin at bedtime. A weekly slow-release form is now also available.
Treatment can continue until the child finishes growing and reaches adult height. Then the person can be re-tested to see if treatment should go on in adulthood. Most childhood-onset cases of isolated GHD do not need treatment as an adult.
Treatment works best when GHD is found and treated early. Untreated children with GHD reach a short adult height.
Mild to moderate side effects are uncommon in children and include headaches and muscle or joint pain. Rare but serious side effects include a severe headache with vision problems, a hip problem in which the top of the thigh bone slips out of place, and inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis). For most children, the benefits outweigh the risks.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if your child is growing much more slowly than other children the same age, or is much shorter than they are.
If your child is taking GH, call the doctor right away about a severe headache with vision problems, a hip problem, or signs of pancreatitis. These are rare but serious side effects.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if a child has a seizure, passes out, or has a sudden change in alertness or behavior.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A doctor in one of these practices can check a child's growth chart, order first blood tests, and refer you to a pediatric endocrinologist.
Common questions
Can growth hormone deficiency be treated?
Yes, it is treated with injections of man-made growth hormone. In children, this treatment is effective in improving growth and results in a normal adult height. It works best when started early.
Can adults have growth hormone deficiency?
Yes, adults can have growth hormone deficiency. It can develop after anything that damages the pituitary gland or the nearby brain area, such as a tumor, surgery, injury, or radiation.
Will my child need growth hormone shots for life?
It depends. Treatment can continue until a child finishes growing and reaches adult height. Then the person can be re-tested. Most childhood-onset cases of isolated GHD do not need treatment in adult life.
Sources
- Endocrine Society - Growth Hormone Deficiency
- MedlinePlus - Growth Hormone Tests
- MedlinePlus Genetics - Isolated growth hormone deficiency
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
