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GH (Growth Hormone)

Description: (William Seeds, MD)

Growth hormone is significantly involved in cellular proliferation and efficiency as well as the production of IGF-1, which is also involved in cellular growth, repair and cell survival. After the third decade of life, there is a progressive decline of GH secretion by approximately 15% for every decade of adult life. Integrated measurements of daily GH secretion demonstrate that secretion peaks at puberty at about 150 µg/kg/day, then decreases to approximately 25 µg/kg/day by age 55. We can postulate (based off of an abundance of research that growth hormone is involved in a multitude of physiologic processes) that restoring growth hormone levels in aging adults can improve overall cellular efficiency, decrease cellular senescence and have a positive downstream effect on all of the organ systems and functions in the human body.
❖ Secretion of GH is a process of the HPS axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic-axis)
❖ GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone- somatotropin) is released from the hypothalamus signaling the anterior pituitary gland to secrete GH. The GH is then received by various cells and organ tissues to go to work. When it is received by the liver it stimulates the production of IGF-1.
❖ The hypothalamus gland also secretes GHIH (Somatostatin) which when sensed by the anterior pituitary gland inhibits the release of GH.
❖ The HPS axis works on both positive and negative feedback