More about adult-onset AGHD
Some people with adult growth hormone deficiency were not GH-deficient as children. These people are said to have adult-onset AGHD.
The usual cause of adult-onset AGHD is damage to the pituitary gland, which is responsible for secreting GH. This damage is most commonly caused by one or more tumors in and around the pituitary. Such a tumor may compress the gland, or the damage may occur when the tumor is removed through neurosurgery. The pituitary gland may also be damaged by infection, blood vessel disease, severe head injury, or radiation treatment for tumors of the head or neck. Injury to the pituitary gland may affect the production of one or more pituitary hormones, including GH.
Signs and symptoms of adult growth hormone deficiency associated with pituitary disease may include:
- Increased body fat, especially around the abdomen
- Decreased muscle mass
- Lower bone mineral density
- Increases in LDL ("bad") cholesterol and decreases in HDL ("good") cholesterol
- Decreased insulin sensitivity
- Increased hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
