Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults - Indications and Dosage

Growth hormone deficiency can develop during childhood or adulthood, resulting from a variety of causes.In childhood it typically results in abnormally slow growth and short stature.In turn, in adulthood it is characterized by changes in metabolism, body composition, physical and psychosocial function, decreased quality of life and an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.Treatment with growth hormone replacement improves most of these changes.In Portugal, adult patients eligible for treatment include those with an isolated somatropin deficiency with pediatric onset and adults with severe somatropin deficiency in the context of multiple pituitary insufficiency.Treatment is provided free of charge by the National Health System.Approval for hospital prescriptions must be submitted by the National Commission for the Normalization of Growth Hormone.The risks and benefits of therapy should always be discussed with each patient.