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Why Does Growth Hormone Not Lead To Growth Of Internal Organs In Adults?

Posted on Tue, 15 Apr 2014

Question: Hi, I understand growth hormone is present in adults as well as children....but why in adults does it not lead to growth of internal organs?

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: Excessive growth only occurs in excess growth horm Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Healthcare-Magic Greetings of the day The linear growth or growth in length is not possible in adults as the growing plate or epiphyseal plate have closed and does not cause further growth. The internal organs are also preprogrammed for maximum growth beyond which they do not grow provides the growth hormone levels are within normal limits. The growth hormone is required for maintaining vitality of cells. Excessive growth causes gigantism in adults in which the internal organs grow to massive size. Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you. Take care Best Regards Dr T Shobha Deepak MBBS, MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Shobha Deepak (5 hours later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX Thank you for your advice. Lets suppose preprogrammed maximum size has not yet been attained....can adult-like levels of growth hormone( low levels) stimulate growth? In other words, in a growing child with growth hormone levels of an adult (low), does this low level still stimulate the growth of organs?

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Low level will cause suboptimal growth Detailed Answer: Hi Greetings If the levels of growth hormone are low in children , complete growth cannot be attained because of suboptimal stimulation. This causes the child to be dwarf. I hope it helped. Take Care Best Regrds Dr T Shobha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Shobha Deepak (8 minutes later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX , thank you for your valued advice. I have question relating to first answer. Lets suppose various internal organs size has not been attained in a young adult, but his growth hormone levels have decreased, which is normal thing when reaching young adulthood...... Does this lower circulating GH (which is normal in young adult) still have capability to help completing the growth of internal organs?

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (10 hours later)

Brief Answer: Growth factor is one of many factor Detailed Answer: Hi Greetings It does have propensity for growth of internal organs. growth hormone is one of the factor which promote growth of organs. Apart from growth hormone there are other substance and trophic facors unique for every organ which help in growth of each individual organs. For example Spleen has Interleukin 6, Insulin like growth factor to name a few. So growth is not just dependent on growth hormone. Its one of the factor. I hope it helped. Take Care Best Regards Dr Shobha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Shobha Deepak (41 hours later)

Thank you Dr XXXXXXX I have one last question about hormone receptors. I know drugs affect receptors...but after stopping a drug is the subsequent group of receptors newly formed or remained from previous weeks/months/years ?? Thanks and wishing you all the best

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Depends on concentration of hormone Detailed Answer: Hi When a drug or any hormone is present in low concentration, it leads to up-regulation of receptors that is formation receptors so that adequate response is attained even at low concentration. When there is high concentration of hormone, there is down regulation or destruction of previously present receptors so that toxicity and adverse effects are prevented even though of limited level at receptor level. Once the receptors are synthesized they persists in the body depending on hormonal level. Take Care Best Regards Dr T Shobha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Shobha Deepak (7 minutes later)

Ok lets suppose a drug treatment leads to upregulation and INCREASE in number of receptors. After stopping, there is downregualtion and decrease in numbers. In the decreased pool, is it possible it will include some receptors formed from the 'drug use period' ? If it does, this means the drug has had a LASTING IMPACT as some receptors it helped to form still exist today. Can you please advise. Thanks and Best Regards

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Receptors undergo self destruction Detailed Answer: Greetings, Every receptor has got a shelf life after which it undergoes self destruction by process called apoptosis . This always keeps excess receptors under control, even if it has been stimulated previously. Take Care Regards Dr Shobha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Shobha Deepak (7 minutes later)

Thank you Dr XXXXXXX What kind of timeframe is the shelf life? i just want to be sure any effects of the steroid treatment (low dose weak steroids for 3 months) when i was aged 14 doesnt exist in my body anymore. When i say effects, i mean the formation of new receptors as a result of up-regulation. Is it possible they still exist as part of the decreased group now? Thanks for all your valued advice. Regards

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (20 hours later)

Brief Answer: Short term steroid use is safe Detailed Answer: Hi Greetings of the day Short term use of steroid is safe and does not affect growth. . Do not be worried about receptor level. It's definitely safe. Take care Best Regards Dr T Shobha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Shobha Deepak (5 hours later)

Ok . One more thing is bothering me. lets suppose my blood was free from any lh and fsh. And lets suppose this steroid caused these hormones to be produced. Just suppose. And thereafter lh and fsh continue to be produced. This would mean pre steroid environment has gone forever and wont be seen again....as post steroid environment will always have hormones in bloodstream Whats your valued opinion? Regards

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (22 hours later)

Brief Answer: external steroid does not cause lh surge Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome Externally given steroid hormone will never cause secretion of LH and Fsh. LH and FSh surge occurs at the time of puberty and is pre- programmed by biological clock. There is definitely no cause for concern for short term use of steroid. Take care Best Regards Dr T Shobha Deepak

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Shobha Deepak (17 hours later)

Thank you Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX for all your valued advice. Just one final question about testosterone in newborns/infants. It is understood that testosterone is high after birth in boys and continues for few months....is this for brain organizational effects or for genital development even after birth? Secondly does brain organizational effects limited to time in womb or continues after birth?

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (9 hours later)

Brief Answer: Testosterone spurt occurs in womb Detailed Answer: Hi Greetings Brain Testosterone spurt occurs when the baby is in the womb at the time of male genital formation.the next surge occurs at time of puberty. Biological clock of brain occurs even after birth. I hope I have resolved your doubts. Take care Best Regards Dr T Shobha Deepak

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Shobha Deepak (14 hours later)

I see. After how many days of high testosterone does genital begin to form? A few days, weeks or few months? Or from first day? Thanks and Best Regards

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: It starts after couple of weeks Detailed Answer: Hi It takes couple of weeks for the genital to form after testosterone spurt occurs in fetus. The genital continue to grow for next 8 weeks. Once the Testosterone is secreted, along with Mullerian inhibiting substance it suppresses the formation of female genitals. Male genital begin to form in normal functioning testis after couple of weeks. Take care Best Regards Dr T Shobha

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar