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Human Growth Hormone. 

Human growth hormone.

hGH. This is a protein that acts as a 'chemical messenger',  and it's responsible for a number of important  functions in humans. Most 'vertebrates', have some form of growth hormone, which is often abbreviated as GH,

'The Growth Hormone' responsible for human growth and development,

 The human version is often abbreviated as 'hGH '. Human growth hormone, is also known as 'somatotropin'. 'Somatotropin' is produced by the "somatotrope" cells, of the 'anterior pituitary gland', and its 'secrection', into the blood is controlled by 'chemical signals', from the nearby. 'hypothalamus gland'.

'Pituitary' and 'hypothalamus', glands, are in control.

 'Somatotropin' plays a crucial role.

The 'pituitary' and 'hypothalamus' glands are both  located in the middle of the brain. Human growth hormone is large, compared to most hormones, and actually consists  of some 191 'amino acids'.

'Somatotropin' plays a crucial role in stimulating 'cell growth' and 'reproduction', and is at its peak levels in humans at 'adolescence', when much of a person's growth, is actually occurring.

Human groth hormone is responsible for growth and later, the  repair of the body and brain.

Human growth hormone continues to play an important role throughout adult life, however. It is released in small amounts during sleep, and helps to control cellular repair, metabolism, muscle growth and the maintenance of normal brain function. It also helps to boost the immune system.

Human growth hormone is a very powerful protein.

Too much, or too little, of this hormone, can lead to serious health problems.

Sometimes referred to as "gigantism".

too much of the hormone or too little of it, can lead to a number of 'serious conditions'.  For example tumor in the 'pituitary', can give  too much hGH, which will eventually lead to the condition known as "acromegaly". 'Acromegaly', involves thickening 'digits', 'impinged nerves', 'blurred vision,' and sometimes 'a form of diabetes'. If the tumor is removed, the effects of 'acromegaly', can normally be reversible, however if the tumor occurred during childhood, an abnormal amount of 'permanent growth' may happen. This is sometimes referred to as "gigantism".

 The other side of this 'Growth problem' is 'dwarfism'.

Too little h.G.H. can be caused by a number of different factors. A genetic mutation in the gene coding for the hormone, a problem with the chemical signal that controls hGH release, or any kind of structural malfunctions in the pituitary or hypothalamus glands, can cause a lack of the hormone. If the hormone is deficient in childhood, a lack of overall growth will result, leading to a condition sometimes referred to as "dwarfism". If the deficiency begins during adulthood the symptoms often include fatigue, loss of muscle mass, and possibly heart disease.

Synthetic Growth hormone, now available for treatment. 

A synthetic form of the hormone is available today as a treatment for conditions resulting in a lack of the natural hGH. version. Treatment with human growth hormone is also sometimes used for AIDS patients to help them maintain weight in later stages of the disease, in the treatment of fibromyalgia, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease. A few somewhat controversial uses of the hormone include helping bodybuilders gain muscle, obese people lose weight, and elderly people reverse some of the effects of their age.

All in all, the effects of the 'Human Growth Hormone', hGH. is vital to everyones well being throughout their lives.